Appearing in a federal court in Delaware, Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to charges of "unlawfully possessing a firearm during a period of drug addiction, lying when purchasing a gun, and making false statements to the store where he purchased the gun."
In the indictment prepared by special prosecutor David Weiss, Hunter Biden was charged with three counts, two for making false statements (that he was not using drugs) when purchasing the firearm in 2018, and one for illegally possessing a firearm while addicted to drugs.
Under US federal law, making a false statement on a gun purchase application form or possessing a firearm while a drug user is considered a crime.
The first two charges carry penalties of 5 to 10 years in prison, and the third charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
MADE A DEAL WITH PROSECUTORS
It was reported that Hunter Biden had made a deal with prosecutors and would plead guilty to charges of "failure to pay federal income tax and unlawful possession of a firearm" against him, according to Delaware District Court records revealed on June 20.
It was stated that with this agreement, prosecutors would offer 53-year-old Hunter Biden probation by avoiding imprisonment.
However, the judge did not approve Biden's deal with prosecutors, who appeared before the judge in Delaware on July 27, expressing concerns about the connection of the crime related to tax crimes and gun licenses.
On August 11, US Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed David Weiss as special prosecutor, giving him broader powers to investigate Hunter Biden.
Delaware Attorney General David Weiss, appointed by former President Donald Trump, has been investigating Hunter Biden's tax records, business activities and business ties abroad.
