Key Evidence and Legal Basis for Seizure of Biden’s Electronic Devices
The unsealing of warrants in the Hunter Biden case is expected to provide insight into the legal grounds on which federal authorities seized his electronic devices. These warrants may also shed light on the evidence that was used to build the criminal cases against him. The documents, which were referenced in court papers earlier this month, have been sought by independent journalist Marcy Wheeler.
Warrants Obtained for Hunter Biden’s iCloud Account and Laptop
The warrants in question include two that were obtained on August 29, 2019, and July 10, 2020. These warrants were issued by tax authorities and the FBI to investigate Hunter Biden’s Apple iCloud account. A third search warrant, obtained on December 13, 2019, was used to examine his laptop, which has become infamous. The fourth warrant, obtained on December 4 last year, allowed the collection of electronic evidence related to a gun case.
Hunter Biden’s Plea and Challenges to Charges
Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to three federal gun charges in October and could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted. His defense attorney, Abbe Lowell, plans to challenge the constitutionality of the charges and file a motion to dismiss them. The defense argues that the federal ban on drug users having guns violates the Second Amendment.
Failed Plea Agreement and Cocaine Residue
Earlier this summer, Hunter Biden agreed to plead guilty in a deal that would have resolved the gun charges and avoided further prosecution. However, the deal fell apart after a judge raised concerns. In December, his lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the indictment, claiming that it violated the collapsed plea agreement. Prosecutors have argued that the evidence against Hunter Biden is strong, including the discovery of cocaine residue on a pouch used to store his gun.
It is not yet clear when the unsealed documents will be accessible to the public, but their release is anticipated to provide valuable information regarding the case against Hunter Biden.