Hunter Biden, the son of US President Joe Biden, formally entered a plea of not guilty on Tuesday, October 3, in response to charges of illegal gun possession. This legal development comes at a crucial time for President Biden, as he prepares for his potential reelection next year.
At the federal court in Wilmington, Delaware, Hunter Biden, 53, presented himself and pleaded not guilty to three felony charges relating to his acquisition of a .38-caliber Colt Cobra revolver back in 2018. During that time, he openly admitted to struggling with drug addiction and lacking control over his life.
According to the charges, Hunter Biden is accused of providing false statements on the required forms for the gun purchase, wherein he claimed not to be involved in illicit drug use. Additionally, he faces a separate charge for unlawful possession of the firearm, which he possessed for a mere 11 days in October 2018 before disposing of it.
It is worth noting that these gun charges are not Hunter Biden’s sole legal issues. He is also confronted with allegations from Republican politicians, asserting his involvement in corrupt business practices in China and Ukraine. These accusations could potentially impact his father’s political standing as President Biden considers seeking a second term in 2024.
Republicans have initiated an impeachment inquiry in Congress, claiming a Biden family criminal conspiracy. However, President Biden has consistently voiced his unwavering support for his son, emphasizing his love and admiration for Hunter’s efforts to overcome his struggles with drug addiction.
Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, sought permission from Judge Christopher Burke for Hunter to appear via video conference due to his residence in California. Unfortunately, the request was denied, with Judge Burke asserting that the defendant should not receive any special treatment in this matter.
If convicted, Hunter Biden could face a maximum prison sentence of 25 years. However, it should be noted that such offenses, if not accompanied by additional charges, typically do not result in significant jail time.
Despite his professional background as a lawyer, lobbyist, and now artist, Hunter Biden’s life has been impacted by the challenges of alcoholism and crack cocaine addiction.
