Hunter Biden Responds to Guilty Verdict Over Past Drug Addiction: ‘Recovery is Possible’

The president’s son spoke about his addiction problems after being convicted on Tuesday, June 11, of illegal possession of a firearm in 2018 while he was under the influence of narcotics.

Hunter Biden speaks out after being found guilty of all charges in his federal gun case on Tuesday, June 11. The sentencing concludes a tense trial that focused heavily on his former crack addiction.

President Joe Biden’s 54-year-old son was indicted in September on three counts that accused him of lying about his drug use to obtain a gun in 2018 and then possessing the weapon while he was addicted to a controlled substance. Eleven days after purchasing the gun, Hunter’s girlfriend found it and threw it away in a panic, citing concerns for his mental health.

Related: Hunter Biden convicted of illegally obtaining and possessing a weapon in 2018

In a statement released Tuesday, Hunter acknowledged the support his family has given him during his legal issues.

“I am more grateful today for the love and support I received last week from (my wife) Melissa, my family, my friends and my community than I am disappointed with the outcome,” he wrote. “Recovery is possible through the grace of God, and I am blessed to experience this gift one day at a time.

Abbe Lowell, Hunter’s lead defense attorney, also said in a statement that he and his client were “disappointed” with the outcome. But, he added, “We respect jury procedure and, as we have throughout this case, we will continue to vigorously pursue any legal challenges Hunter may have.”

“Throughout everything he went through in his recovery, including this trial, Hunter felt grateful and blessed by the love and support of his family,” Lowell added.

After the verdict, Hunter left the courthouse holding hands with first lady Jill Biden and his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden.

Related: Hunter Biden Guilty Verdict Live: President Biden Schedules Last-Minute Trip to Delaware

President Biden, who was not involved in the crimes, issued his own statement after his son’s sentencing, acknowledging the verdict while expressing admiration for Hunter’s journey to recovery.

“As I said last week, I am the president, but I am also a dad,” he wrote in the statement. “Jill and I love our son and are so proud of the man he is today. Many families whose loved ones have struggled with addiction understand the feeling of pride of seeing someone you love come out of the other side and being so strong and resilient in recovery.”

The president added a last-minute visit to Delaware to his schedule Tuesday when he learned of the verdict.

Related: Joe Biden Expresses Continued Love For Son Hunter After Guilty Verdict: ‘We Are So Proud Of The Man He Is Today’

Hunter faces up to 25 years in prison and up to $750,000 in fines following his conviction, although he is likely to receive a lesser sentence as a first-time offender and can avoid it altogether. a prison sentence.

His sentencing hearing is expected around mid-October, just before his father’s election.

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The federal gun trial was the first of two criminal trials Hunter faces this year.

In December 2023, the first son was also indicted on nine federal tax charges, including three felonies and six misdemeanors alleging he evaded taxes and filed a false return.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is scheduled to stand trial in Los Angeles in September. He could be jailed for up to 17 years if convicted on all nine charges.

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