President’s son, 54, charged with three offenses related to questions about drug use when buying firearm in 2018
Hunter Biden’s federal gun case is set to go to trial next month, a judge said on Tuesday, formally denying a bid by Biden’s lawyers to delay prosecution on three gun firearms charges.
The US district judge Maryellen Noreika, who threw out a plea-deal agreement between Biden and the US government in August, rejected Biden’s request to push the trial until September.
Lawyers for the president’s son had argued that a delay was necessary to give the defense time to line up witnesses and go through evidence handed over by prosecutors.
Hunter Biden, 54, is accused of lying about his drug use in October 2018 on a form to buy a gun that he kept for about 11 days.
Two counts refer to making false statements: first for allegedly checking a box falsely saying he was not addicted to drugs, and second for allegedly giving it to the shop for their federally required records. The third count alleges he possessed the gun despite knowing he was a drug user.
The weapon was later found discarded in a dumpster behind a grocery store. Investigators said cocaine residue was found on the pouch.
Biden has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has acknowledged he was struggling with addiction during that period in 2018.
