Hunter Biden Found Guilty of Illegally Obtaining and Possessing Weapon in 2018

Hunter Biden has been convicted of three felony charges, leaving his fate in the hands of a Trump-appointed judge as he faces a potential prison sentence and hefty fines.

A Delaware jury reached its guilty verdict in Hunter's federal gun trial on Tuesday, June 11, after three hours of deliberations spread across two days.

Joe Biden's only surviving son, 54, became the first-ever child of a sitting president to answer to criminal charges when the Justice Department accused him of lying about his drug use to obtain a weapon in 2018, then possessing the weapon for 11 days while addicted to a controlled substance.

The charges could warrant up to 25 years in prison and $750,000 in fines, though first-time offenders rarely get the maximum sentence and often avoid jail time altogether.

The final sentencing decision rests with District Judge Maryellen Noreika, who was appointed to the bench by Donald Trump with support from both of Delaware's Democratic senators.

Hunter's trial, which began in Wilmington, Del., on Monday, June 3, was attended by several of his loved ones.

Spotted at the courthouse since June 3 were Hunter’s stepmother, Jill Biden; Hunter's wife, Melissa Cohen Biden; Hunter’s younger half-sister, Ashley Biden; Hunter’s eldest daughter, Naomi Biden; Hunter's son-in-law, Peter Neal; Hunter’s uncle, James Biden; James’ wife, Sara Jones Biden; Hunter’s aunt, Valerie Biden Owens; and the first lady’s sister, Bonny Jacobs.

Ahead of closing arguments, Rev. Christopher Alan Bullock — a family friend who preaches at the Canaan Baptist Church in New Castle, Del. — paid a visit as well to pray with Hunter inside the courthouse.

Hunter's previous romantic partners were also summoned by prosecutors to testify about his drug usage and character.

Zoe Kestan, a dancer who dated Hunter in 2018, was called to the court to describe his behavior in the months leading up to the gun purchase in question. She described him sympathetically, as a distressed man whose difficult situation fueled near-constant crack cocaine usage.

Hunter's first wife of nearly 25 years, Kathleen Buhle — with whom he shares daughters Naomi, Finnegan and Maisy — offered succinct testimony, telling the court that his substance abuse and cheating contributed to their divorce in 2017.

Hallie Biden, the widow of Beau Biden who developed a romantic relationship with Hunter amid their grief, also testified, detailing the turbulent period of their lives.

Hallie was offered immunity from prosecution before taking the stand, The Washington Post reported, allowing her to admit that after growing closer to Hunter, she began using crack cocaine, too. The two attended meetings for addicts and tried getting clean together, though Hallie was able to curb her addiction before him.

She said that during their relationship, she feared Hunter was suicidal. When she found the gun that he purchased in his car, she said she "panicked" and threw it in a dumpster.

“It was a terrible experience that I went through,” she testified. “I’m embarrassed and ashamed and I regret that part of my life.”

Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney David Weiss began investigating Hunter in 2018, during Trump's presidency. Weiss was asked to continue the investigation after President Biden was elected, and in August 2023, Attorney General Merrick Garland boosted Weiss to special counsel status.

In September, a federal grand jury approved a three-count indictment against Hunter related to his possession of a firearm.

Three months later, the special counsel indicted him on nine federal tax charges related to alleged tax evasion. That case is scheduled to go to trial in Los Angeles this fall, and could result in a 17-year prison sentence if he's convicted.

President Biden, 81, previously committed to respecting the outcome of Hunter's legal battles. As a feature of honoring jurors' judgments, he said he will not use his presidential power to pardon his son.

His statement draws an important contrast between himself and Trump, a newly convicted felon who has painted himself as a victim and disparaged the criminal justice system.