Hunter Biden was found guilty of three federal gun charges on Tuesday by a jury of 12 Delaware residents, marking an unprecedented criminal conviction for the child of a sitting president.
After about three hours of deliberation, Hunter Biden was convicted of three felony counts. These charges stemmed from allegations that he lied about his drug use when purchasing a firearm in 2018, and unlawfully possessed the gun for 11 days.
The trial, which spanned just over a week, focused on Hunter Biden’s addiction to cocaine. When he completed a federal gun purchase form, he falsely indicated that he was not using or addicted to any illicit drugs.
Testimonies from several women who were part of Hunter Biden’s life were pivotal to the case. Kathleen Buhle, his ex-wife; Hallie Biden, his late brother’s widow and former girlfriend; and another ex-girlfriend testified about his drug use. Hallie Biden, who was Beau Biden’s wife before his death from cancer in 2015, shared that Hunter’s use of crack cocaine made him “agitated or high-strung, but at other times, functioning as well.” She also recounted her decision to dispose of the firearm after finding it in his truck, which ultimately led to the charges against Hunter.
In defense, Hunter Biden’s daughter, Naomi Biden, testified about her father’s battle with addiction prior to the gun purchase. She stated that despite his struggles, he appeared to be doing well in October 2018 when he bought the gun. However, the prosecution presented a text message she sent to her father around that time expressing her distress over his addiction.
During the closing arguments, prosecutor Leo Wise emphasized that Hunter’s drug addiction had begun “years before” the gun purchase and persisted for months after. Hunter Biden’s defense team, however, argued that there was no concrete evidence of drug use during the month of the gun purchase and suggested he did not believe he was lying when he answered “no” on the form. Hunter Biden chose not to testify.
If given the maximum penalty, Hunter Biden faces up to 25 years in prison and fines totaling $750,000. However, it is unlikely he will receive the maximum sentence as a first-time offender. President Biden has stated that he would not pardon his son if convicted.
Hunter Biden also faces separate charges in California for allegedly failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes and filing false returns, with a potential trial in September.
After the verdict, President Biden issued a statement accepting the outcome of the case, though Hunter Biden’s attorneys are expected to appeal. The president did not attend the trial, but First Lady Jill Biden was present for several days, including the day of the verdict.
Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, expressed the team’s intent to “vigorously pursue legal challenges.” In a joint statement with his attorney, Hunter Biden thanked his wife Melissa and his community for their support, expressing disappointment with the verdict but emphasizing his ongoing recovery, stating, “Recovery is possible by the grace of God, and I am blessed to experience that gift one day at a time.”