On June 11, 2024, Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, was found guilty of three federal felony charges at a court in Wilmington, Delaware. A jury delivered unanimous guilty verdicts for two counts of making false statements on a federal form in 2018 to purchase a firearm and one count of illegal possession of a firearm while abusing drugs. This historic case marks the first time a sitting US president's child has been convicted of a federal crime.
The trial, which lasted over a week, included testimony from multiple witnesses, including Hunter Biden’s ex-wife and former girlfriends, who detailed his drug addiction. Despite this, the defense argued that Hunter was not using drugs at the specific time he purchased the gun. The jury, deliberating for just under three hours, ultimately decided otherwise.
President Joe Biden released a statement expressing pride in his son’s resilience in overcoming addiction but also affirmed he would respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal. Despite facing a potential maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and a $750,000 fine, first-time offenders typically receive much lighter sentences. In September, Hunter Biden faces a separate trial on tax evasion charges.