Son of U.S. President found guilty in gun case

13:47, 12 июня 2024, Bishkek - 24.kg news agency , Aibek SULTANOV

A federal jury has convicted U.S. President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden on all three federal felony gun charges he faced. CNN reported.

As noted, two counts of indictment were for lying about his drug use on a federal background check form, and the third count was for possessing a gun while addicted to, or using, illegal drugs.

As the media outlet reports, the conviction marks the first time a president’s immediate family member has been found guilty of a crime during their father’s term in office.

Hunter Biden could face up to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $750,000 at sentencing, though he likely will receive far less as a first-time offender.

A sentencing date has not yet been set.

The investigation into Hunter Biden began in 2018, when it became known that he acquired a gun while using drugs. In the summer of 2023, the president’s son entered into a deal with the U.S. Department of Justice, under which he had to plead guilty to two tax offenses committed in 2017-2018. In exchange, he was supposed to be cleared of charges of illegal possession of weapons, but the court did not approve the deal. Hunter was charged in September.

In early June 2024, U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed in a conversation with ABC that he would accept any jury verdict, and also ruled out the possibility of a pardon for his son.