Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s son, was convicted this Tuesday (11) of illegal possession of a weapon. This is the first time that a president’s immediate family member has been found guilty of a crime during his father’s term in office.
After the verdict, he thanked his family for their support. A lawyer for Hunter said they were “disappointed” but would seek to appeal the conviction.
President Joe Biden said he will not grant his son a presidential pardon and accepts the outcome of the trial.
Understand the accusations against Hunter Biden
Hunter Biden, 54, was charged with illegally purchasing and possessing a gun while using or addicted to drugs, a violation of United States federal law.
He has pleaded not guilty to all three charges, although he has been outspoken publicly about his struggles with alcohol and crack addiction.
To the two first accusations are linked to the purchase of the weapon .
When a person purchases a gun, they must fill out a form with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and state that they are legally authorized to purchase the gun. Hunter Biden was accused, and convicted, of lying on those forms.
These questions include:
- Have you been convicted of a crime?
- Are you a fugitive?
- Are you in the country illegally?
- Are you an “illegal user or addict of” illegal drugs?
Hunter Biden allegedly checked the box that said “No,” which was classified as a violation for lying on the form.
A third accusation refers to the possession of the weapon itself.
It is also against United States federal law to own a gun if you are using drugs.
Hunter Biden had the gun for 11 days in October 2018 before his girlfriend threw it in a dumpster because she was concerned about the president’s son’s mental health, according to the indictment and texts made public in recent court filings.
Will Hunter Biden be arrested?
The judge in the case said sentencing is usually set for 120 days after the verdict.
Hunter Biden faces up to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to US$750,000 (R$4 million), although he will likely receive a much lesser sentence as a first-time offender.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
