Hunter Biden, the son of President Biden, is facing sentencing on November 13 for his conviction on federal gun charges. The charges stem from his purchase and possession of a firearm while addicted to crack cocaine. He was found guilty by a 12-member jury after a six-day trial brought by special counsel David Weiss. Testimony was heard from Hunter Biden’s ex-wife, ex-girlfriend, Hallie Biden (widow of his deceased brother Beau Biden), and his daughter, Naomi Biden. The potential sentence includes up to 25 years in prison and fines of up to $750,000, making him the first child of a sitting president to be convicted of a crime.
The indictment on three felony gun charges in September 2023 came after a plea deal with federal prosecutors fell through. The charges allege that Hunter Biden purchased and possessed a gun while a drug user, and lied about his drug use on a federal form for firearms purchases. Despite pleading not guilty and arguing that prosecutors had to prove he was using drugs at the time of the gun purchase, the jury returned a guilty verdict after a short deliberation.
The upcoming sentencing will be conducted by U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika, who has presided over the case. The timing of the sentencing, just eight days after the presidential election, adds an additional layer of significance to the situation. Hunter Biden also faces another trial in California, where he is charged with nine federal tax crimes. This case, also brought by Weiss, involves six misdemeanor counts and three felony counts. The trial for the tax charges is set to begin on September 5.
Melissa Quinn, a politics reporter for CBS News, covers U.S. politics with a focus on the Supreme Court and federal courts. Her reporting provides valuable insight into the legal challenges facing Hunter Biden and the potential ramifications of his guilty verdicts. As the legal proceedings continue, the public will closely monitor the outcomes and their impact on both Hunter Biden and his family, as well as the broader political landscape.
