Hunter Biden is indicted on federal firearms charges

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, was indicted on federal firearms charges Thursday, the latest and so far most serious episode in a lengthy investigation.

Biden is accused of lying about his drug use when he purchased a firearm in October 2018a time during which he himself acknowledges that he struggled with a crack addiction, according to the indictment filed in federal court in Delaware.

The president’s son has also been under investigation for his business dealings. The special prosecutor overseeing the case has indicated that charges of failing to pay taxes could be filed in Washington or California.

The case It comes as Republicans in Congress are seeking to impeach the president.largely due to Hunter Biden’s business dealings. Republicans have obtained testimony about how Hunter Biden used “the Biden brand” to obtain business abroad, but have not presented direct evidence of any illegality committed by the president.

The case says Hunter Biden lied on the form to buy a Colt Cobra Special pistol at a store in Wilmington, Delaware, in October 2018. He is accused of filling out the box saying he did not use drugs or was addicted to drugs, and of illegally possessing a weapon while a drug user.

The weapons charge against Hunter Biden, 53, was previously part of a sentence reduction deal that included guilty pleas to tax crimes, but the deal collapsed during a court hearing in July when a judge raised questions about his unusual provisions.

Defense lawyers have argued that part of the agreement, according to which Hunter Biden would not be prosecuted for the weapons crime if he remains free of judicial problems, remains valid. Includes immunity provisions from other potential charges. The lawyers indicated they will resist additional charges against them, but did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday.