Hunter Biden has been found guilty on three felony gun charges in Delaware.
Joe Biden’s son was accused of lying on a form about his addiction to crack cocaine while purchasing a gun in 2018. The jury deliberated for three hours in total – one hour on Monday and two hours on Tuesday – before returning the verdict.
Each count has a maximum fine of $250,000. Two of the charges are punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The third count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Judge Maryellen Noreika said she would set a sentencing date at a later time, per NBC News.
Biden pleaded not guilty to the charges in October.
His attorney, Abbe Lowell, argued during the trial that his client had not lied on the federal form because, having completed 11 days in rehab, he did not believe he was an addict.
The prosecution called several witnesses, including his ex-wife Kathleen Buhle, his ex-girlfriend and late brother’s widow Hallie Biden, and ex-girlfriend Zoe Kestan, to establish Biden’s behaviors and drug use. In particular, Hallie Biden described being introduced to crack cocaine by her former brother-in-law and becoming addicted.
They also played audio clips – recorded by Biden – from the first son’s 2021 memoir wherein he details his addiction to crack cocaine and his “superpower” ability to find drugs in any city. The jury also saw images of a shirtless Hunter Biden in dirty rooms using a crack pipe. The images came from his personal laptop, which was entered into evidence.
“No one is allowed to lie on a federal form like that, even Hunter Biden,” said prosecutor Derek Hines, per The Hill. “He crossed the line when he chose to buy a gun and lied about a federal background check. … The defendant’s choice to buy a gun is why we are here.”
First Lady Jill Biden attended the majority of the trial, traveling between Paris and Delaware in early June to attend a D-Day anniversary commemoration. She returned to Paris after one day to rejoin her husband, President Joe Biden.
According to ABC News:The cost of the one-way trip from the airport in Paris to the airport in Wilmington, Delaware, is about $111,500, based on an eight-hour flight and the Air Force's hourly reimbursement rate charged to other federal agencies for use of a Boeing C-32 (the type of plane Dr. Biden usually flies in, for security reasons). Dr. Biden made a round trip from Paris to Wilmington for an estimated $223,000.
James and Valerie Biden, Hunter’s uncle and aunt, attended the trial. His daughter Naomi Biden testified for the defense.
President Biden has vowed to accept the results of the trial and that he will not pardon his son.
