Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to an illegal gun possession charge on Tuesday, October 3, as his father, US President Joe Biden, prepares for reelection next year.
Hunter Biden, 53, appeared in federal court in his family’s hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, and pleaded not guilty to three felony charges stemming from his purchase of a.38-caliber Colt Cobra revolver in 2018 when he admitted to being heavily addicted to drugs and barely in control of his life.
Hunter Biden faces two charges of making false statements for claiming on paperwork required for the gun purchase that he was not illegally taking drugs at the time.
Based on the same statements, he faces a third charge of illegally possessing the gun, which he had for only 11 days in October 2018 before disposing of it.
Hunter’s legal problems are far from over. Republican leaders have accused him of engaging in shady business operations in China and Ukraine, which could detract from his father’s political position as he seeks a second term in 2024.
Republicans in Congress have launched an impeachment investigation into what they allege is a criminal plot involving the Biden family.
In response to the incident, Joe Biden has frequently stated that he supports his son and admires his efforts to recover from drug addiction.
Hunter Biden’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, had asked Judge Christopher Burke to allow Biden, who lives in California, to appear by video instead of in person but the request was denied.
“The defendant should not receive any special treatment in this matter,” Burke wrote in his ruling.
If convicted, Hunter Biden could face a maximum of 25 years in prison, though in practice such offenses, if not accompanied by other charges, are hardly punished by any jail time.
Hunter Biden is a lawyer and lobbyist-turned-artist, but his life story has been stained by alcoholism and crack cocaine addiction.