Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, was found guilty on three federal gun charges after a trial that highlighted his struggles with addiction.
The trial, held in Wilmington, Delaware, marked the first involving the child of a sitting president.
The charges included three felony counts related to possessing a gun while using narcotics. Despite pleading not guilty, the jury reached a unanimous verdict after approximately three hours of deliberation.
Hunter Biden remained composed as the verdict was delivered, nodding slightly in acknowledgment.
This trial occurred amid President Joe Biden's challenging re-election campaign against Donald Trump. While First Lady Jill Biden was not present during the verdict announcement, she arrived shortly after and joined Hunter Biden in a private room.
Two of the charges carry a maximum prison sentence of 10 years each, while the third has a maximum of five years. Additionally, each count could result in a fine of up to $250,000. Federal sentencing guidelines suggest a potential prison term exceeding one year, though the judge has discretion in the final sentencing. No sentencing date has been scheduled yet.
In a statement, President Biden expressed unwavering support for his son, saying, "Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today." He emphasized respect for the judicial process and affirmed his and Jill's continued support for Hunter and their family.
Hunter Biden also issued a statement, expressing gratitude for the support from his wife, family, friends, and community. He acknowledged the ongoing journey of recovery, attributing his progress to the grace of God.
Hunter Biden's attorney, Abbe Lowell, indicated plans to appeal the verdict, expressing disappointment but commitment to pursuing all available legal avenues.
Jill Biden attended the trial on multiple days, which featured explicit testimonies from three of Hunter Biden’s former romantic partners about his chronic drug use.
Two of the charges stemmed from Biden allegedly providing false information on a form when purchasing a Colt Cobra revolver in October 2018, denying illegal drug use. The third count involved possessing a firearm while using a narcotic.
The defense argued over the specific language of the federally mandated form, suggesting that Biden might have been using alcohol rather than crack cocaine at the time. His attorney contended that the form’s wording could be misleading and emphasized that it would have been evident if Biden was using drugs.
"There may be high-functioning alcoholics, but there’s no such thing as a high-functioning crack addict," Lowell stated in his opening remarks. Photo by Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call, Wikimedia commons.