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A jury found Hunter Biden guilty on charges that he lied about his drug use when purchasing a gun in 2018. Biden, 54, was convicted of lying on a federal screening form, lying to a gun dealer, and possessing a gun while being an unlawful drug user or addict. He could face a maximum of 25 years in prison, though first-time offenders typically receive shorter sentences.
Biden's defense, led by attorney Abbe Lowell, argued that he did not "knowingly" lie on the form as he had recently completed a rehabilitation program and was not using drugs at the time he purchased the gun in October 2018. However, evidence from Biden's electronic devices showed pictures of drugs from April 2018 and texts about using drugs in the days following the gun purchase.
Testimonies from Biden's former romantic partners and his sister-in-law, Hallie Biden, painted a picture of concern over his addiction. Hallie Biden testified that she disposed of the gun in a grocery store trash can after finding it in his truck 11 days after the purchase. A forensic chemist found cocaine residue on the leather pouch that held the gun.
In contrast, Biden's daughter, Naomi Biden, testified for the defense that her father seemed fine and in good spirits around the time he bought the gun. The prosecution argued that Naomi Biden's testimony actually hurt her father's case as she was unable to vouch for his sobriety during the month of October.