Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to three felony firearm possession charges during his arraignment in a Delaware federal court on Tuesday, according to NBC news.
The counts accuse the president’s son of lying on a federal form about his use of illegal drugs when he purchased a Colt Cobra revolver in Delaware in October of 2018, and of possessing a firearm while using narcotics.
Biden’s not guilty plea comes after a pretrial diversion deal related to the gun charges that could have kept the case from going to trial fell through in dramatic fashion in July, due to the presiding judge having concerns over the broadness of the plea agreement.
A request from Biden’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, to have him appear by video for Tuesday’s arraignment was denied by a magistrate judge, who sided with government prosecutors who argued Hunter Biden “should not receive special treatment in this matter,” per NBC.
Tuesday’s hearing lasted less than 30 minutes, with Lowell entering Hunter’s not-guilty plea after 25 minutes of discussion.
Lowell said that he plans to file a motion to dismiss the charges ahead of a Nov. 3 motions deadline set by the judge.
Biden could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
