Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, has been charged with three counts of making false statements on firearm purchase forms, as a previously negotiated plea deal unraveled. This marks the first instance in which the child of a sitting U.S. president has faced criminal prosecution.
The charges stem from allegations that Hunter Biden provided false information on federally mandated forms while purchasing a Colt revolver at a Delaware gun store in October 2018. Specifically, he allegedly lied on these forms when he was a drug user. He retained possession of the firearm for 11 days. If convicted, Hunter Biden could face a maximum prison sentence of 25 years, though actual sentences for federal crimes typically fall below the maximum penalties.
Notably, at the time of the firearm acquisition, Hunter Biden was actively using crack cocaine, which is a violation of U.S. federal laws concerning the possession of firearms for individuals who use controlled substances.
These charges were initially part of a proposed plea agreement aimed at resolving both gun-related and tax evasion charges that Hunter Biden was facing. Under the terms of the agreement, he would have admitted to two misdemeanor counts related to late tax payments in 2017 and 2018, in addition to acknowledging illegal firearm possession.
However, the plea deal disintegrated in July when U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika declined to approve it, deeming the proposed resolution of the gun-related charge as “unusual.”
The charges against Hunter Biden have become a contentious political issue as his father pursues re-election. Recently, House Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives initiated an impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden. Allegations include claims that he lied about his involvement in his son’s business dealings during his tenure as vice-president. Furthermore, two Internal Revenue Service investigators asserted that the Justice Department obstructed the investigation into Hunter Biden’s tax returns.
