Hunter Biden is found guilty on all counts in the gun case

By Justin Jones On Jun 12, 2024

President Joe Biden’s lone surviving son, Hunter Biden, was found guilty of all three felonies related to his purchase of a firearm in 2018. This decision is certain to spark new political controversy. Tuesday’s jury, which consisted of six men and six women, reached a unanimous decision following three hours of deliberation.

The accusations against Mr. Biden were based on claims that he had lied about his past drug use to a licensed firearms dealer and on a federal gun form in order to obtain a handgun in October 2018. At the time of the purchase, Mr. Biden, who was 48 years old at the time, was accused by the prosecution of making a false statement on the form claiming he was not “an unlawful user of controlled substances.”

During the two-week trial, important witnesses provided testimony that depicted Mr. Biden’s struggles with substance abuse during the pertinent time period. In their testimonies, Kathleen Biden, his ex-wife, and a previous girlfriend mentioned discovering crack pipes and other drug paraphernalia in Mr. Biden’s hands at the time of the gun purchase. The prosecution’s presentation of text messages and bank records strengthened their case even further, indicating that Mr. Biden participated in actions consistent with drug use during the critical period.

The defense countered by portraying Mr. Biden’s past struggles as a distant memory and emphasized that he was not formally diagnosed with a current addiction. They argued that the lapse in truthful disclosure on the gun form was an honest mistake and not a deliberate attempt to deceive. However, the jury ultimately sided with the prosecution, delivering a verdict that has significant legal and political ramifications.

Potential Sanctions and Subsequent Actions

The maximum sentence for each of the three felonies is three years in prison. Two counts of making false statements on a federal form carry a maximum 10-year sentence for each. A maximum of five years in prison is associated with the third charge, which is illegal firearm possession while using illegal drugs. A potential fine of $250,000 is also attached to each count.

First-time offenders like Mr. Biden usually face far less severe punishments, even though the maximum sentences are severe. The sentencing hearing, which is currently unscheduled, will determine the actual consequences he faces.

The decision is a political minefield in addition to its immediate legal ramifications. Critics of Mr. Biden have long accused him of engaging in improper business practices; some have even raised the possibility that his overseas endeavors are connected to his father’s political career. This conviction gives those charges more weight and could encourage claims of hypocrisy within the Biden administration.