WILMINGTON, DELAWARE: Hunter Biden has been indicted on three federal charges related to the possession of a firearm, as per court documents. The potential charges could carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
The indictment, which was issued in Delaware federal court, included two counts connected to his alleged false statement that he was not using any illegal drugs when he made the purchase of a revolver in October 2018, reports Daily Mail.
The third count accuses him of possessing a firearm while he was under the influence of narcotics. If convicted on all the counts, he could face a maximum time of 25 years in prison.
What are the other charges against Hunter Biden?
The indictment on Thursday, September 14 follows a five-year investigation conducted by the FBI, the IRS, and federal prosecutors which initially began during the Trump administration in 2018.
During the presidential election campaign in 2020, the investigation initially looked into the now-President Joe Biden's son's business dealings with foreign entities.
However, the probe expanded over time to include Hunter's 2018 purchase of a firearm and his failure to pay federal income taxes. He has been accused of misrepresenting his drug use.
Hunter denied being "an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug or any other controlled substance" despite him publicly admitting his struggles with addiction.
He had sought a plea agreement with prosecutors, which would have enabled him to plead guilty to two tax charges, thus avoiding a gun charge. However, this plea deal fell apart in July.
Who is David C Weiss?
David C Weiss, the US attorney for Delaware, who was appointed to his role by former President Donald Trump, led the investigation into Hunter.
Attorney General Garland described Weiss as a person who is "capable of making any decisions that he feels are appropriate."
Shortly after his father's election to the presidency, Hunter had acknowledged the federal probe into his "tax affairs."
He subsequently told CBS News that he was being completely cooperative" in the federal investigation.
While Hunter has not participated in his father's presidential campaign and has no official role in the White House, his actions have remained a focal point during the 2020 elections.
Recently, Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced that an impeachment inquiry into President Biden will be launched by his party accusing him of misleading the public about his knowledge of his family's foreign business dealings, according to People.
