- “I’m President But I’m Also A Dad”, Biden Reacts
By Abiola Olawale
A Delaware Federal Court in Wilmington on Tuesday convicted Hunter Biden, son of the President of the United States, Joe Biden, on all three charges preferred against him in a handgun purchase case of 2018.
The jury comprising six men and six women reached a unanimous decision following one hour of deliberation on Monday, June 10, 2024, and an additional two hours on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, respectively.
Hunter Biden becomes the first child of a sitting U.S. president ever to be convicted in a criminal trial.
However, the presiding judge, U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika declared the sentencing date would be announced at a later time.
The New Diplomat reports that two of the counts carry maximum prison sentences of 10 years, while the third has a maximum of five years. Each count also carries a maximum fine of $250,000.
Biden had been facing trial on a three-count charge of lying on a federal form about his drug use to procure a firearm in October of 2018.
He was brought before the court for illegally buying and owning a weapon while abusing drugs.
During court proceedings, both his ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle, and ex-girlfriend, Zoe Kestan, provided testimony against him, regarding the ongoing gun trial.
Appearing before the court on June 5, Biden’s ex-girlfriend, Zoe Kesta, had said she observed him smoking crack cocaine in September 2018.
According to Kestan’s testimony, this comes just weeks before he walked into a Delaware gun shop and purchased a Colt Cobra in October 2018.
Kestan, who met Hunter Biden as a private dancer at a New York gentlemen’s club, told the court that she saw Biden smoke crack the night they met in December 2017 and consistently throughout their year long romantic relationship.
Meanwhile, in response to the verdict, President Biden, in a statement issued on Tuesday, expressed his commitment to abide by the court’s decision and reiterated his unwavering support for his son.
Biden said: “As I said last week, I am the President, but I am also a Dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today. So many families who have had loved ones battle addiction understand the feeling of pride in seeing someone you love come out the other side and be so strong and resilient in recovery. As I also said last week, I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal. Jill and I will always be there for Hunter and the rest of our family with our love and support. Nothing will ever change that.”
