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WILMINGTON, Delaware — Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, was found guilty on Tuesday of three felony charges related to his purchase of a handgun in 2018.

This marks the first time a sitting U.S. president’s child has been convicted in a criminal trial, however, President Biden has stated he will not pardon his son.

The jury, composed of six men and six women, delivered a unanimous verdict after three hours of deliberation.

Hunter Biden, 54, could face a maximum prison sentence of 25 years, but as a first-time offender with non-violent charges, he is more likely to receive a significantly lighter sentence, potentially as little as two years or even probation.

The sentencing will be determined by Judge Maryellen Noreika in the coming months.

The charges stem from Biden’s purchase of a Colt revolver at a Wilmington gun shop in October 2018.

At the time, Biden was struggling with addiction to crack cocaine.

Prosecutors alleged that Biden falsely claimed on the purchase paperwork that he was not using illegal drugs.

The law prohibits drug users from owning firearms and lying on gun purchase forms.

Biden held the gun for 11 days before his brother’s widow, Hallie Biden, discovered it and discarded it in a trash can outside a grocery store.

A man later found the gun and turned it over to the police.

The trial, which began on June 3, featured testimony from three of Biden’s former romantic partners about his drug use in 2018.

The defense called Biden’s daughter, Naomi Biden, who testified about his condition around the time he bought the gun.

However, during cross-examination, prosecutors highlighted text messages between Biden and his daughter that suggested ongoing struggles.

Hunter Biden’s legal team plans to appeal the conviction, arguing that the federal law barring drug users from owning guns is unconstitutional under recent Supreme Court rulings.

The verdict arrives just weeks before the first presidential debate on June 27, adding another layer of complexity to an already tumultuous campaign season.

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In a coordinated effort to crack down on illegal machinegun conversion devices also known as “switches,” U.S. Attorneys for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas announced, “Operation Texas Kill Switch.”

Switches are devices that can transform semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons, capable of firing rounds just as fast as military-grade weapons.

The announcement was made during simultaneous press conferences throughout the state with U.S. Attorneys Leigha Simonton, Alamdar Hamdani, Damien Diggs, and Jaime Esparza.

They were joined by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives Special Agents in Charge Jeffrey Boshek and Michael Weddel.

“We’re here to talk about a roughly one-inch piece of plastic. It looks innocuous enough, a little like a lego or a k’nex block. But this one-inch piece of plastic is killing people,” Simonton said at Monday’s press conference.

“Machinegun conversion devices can turn Second Amendment-protected firearms into illegal weapons of war, and petty criminals into brutal killers. We cannot have our streets turned into war zones. We cannot – and we will not – allow switches to proliferate in north Texas.”

The officials condemned the use of switches, highlighting their role in numerous fatal shootings, including a juvenile mass shooting and multiple police killings.

Switches, which are about an inch long and can be made from metal or plastic, are designed to fit into the butt of a gun, allowing it to fire continuously with a single trigger pull.

“I have been in this business for a long time, and nothing scares me more than the rapid flood of machine gun conversion devices on the streets of Texas and beyond. Rest assured that ATF and its partners are doing everything we can to stop the flow of these things and to prevent the carnage they can create,” said ATF Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II.

“I applaud our U.S. Attorney partners for their willingness to aggressively prosecute these criminals and gangsters.”

Switches can be easily manufactured using commercially available 3D printers, making them accessible to a wide audience.

The possession of switches is illegal under the National Firearms Act, which classifies them as machine guns.

The rise of switches has surged in recent years.

Between 2017 and 2023, Texas-based ATF agents seized 991 switches, with half of those being recovered in the past year alone.

The devices are often sold on social media, targeting both adults and juveniles.

Operation Texas Kill Switch aims to combat this trend by partnering with Crime Stoppers programs across the state.

From now until August 31, local Crime Stoppers programs will offer cash rewards for information leading to the apprehension or prosecution of individuals possessing switches or 3D printers used to manufacture them.

Tipsters can submit information anonymously, 24 hours a day, through their local Crime Stoppers program or directly to the ATF’s website.

The post Texas Launches ‘Operation Kill Switch’ to Combat Illegal Gun Mods appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

DUNCANVILLE, TX – The city of Duncanville is gearing up for a sizzling event this summer with the inaugural “Red, White, & BBQ” cook-off.

The celebration will kick off on Thursday, July 4, extending through Saturday, July 6, at Armstrong Park located at 100 James Collins Boulevard.

This year’s Independence Day Celebration promises to be a fun-filled event for the whole family, with activities and entertainment.

There will be live performances by Extended Play and Cruel Summer which will add to the festive atmosphere.

Gates open at 1:00 PM, and the fireworks display will begin at 9:30 PM.

Beginning Thursday, the event will kick off with a parade at 9:00 a.m., a celebration at 1:00 p.m., and conclude with festive Fireworks.

The event aims to bring BBQ enthusiasts from near and far to participate in a fun friendly cook-off.

With a guaranteed payout of $10,000, the competition is expected to attract a wide array of participants, eager to showcase their grilling skills.

The entry fee for the main cook-off is $250, covering four meat categories: chicken, ribs, pork, and brisket.

In addition to the main event, there will be a special Friday night steak jackpot, with an entry fee of $25, adding an extra layer of excitement for both participants and attendees.

Registration is currently open, and interested participants can sign up through a provided QR code or by visiting the Duncanville Recreation Center.

The event is organized by the City of Duncanville in partnership with the Champions Barbecue Alliance, ensuring a professionally run competition with industry-wide standards and judging criteria.

In addition to the cook-off, the event will feature live entertainment, food vendors, and activities for all ages, making it a family-friendly affair.

Spectators can look forward to a festive atmosphere with a patriotic theme, reflecting the event’s timing just after Independence Day.

Admission is free, but wristbands are required.

Wristbands will be available for pickup starting Wednesday, June 5, at the Duncanville Recreation Center.

For more information visit the City of Duncanville website.

The post Duncanville’s Independence Day Cook-Off Celebration appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

BOSTON – The Dallas Mavericks are now down 2-0 in the NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics after losing 105-98 in Game 2 on Sunday.

The Celtics continue to show why they have been called the best team in the NBA as multiple Boston players scored in the game 2 win.

Jayson Tatum scored 18 points but finished with a double-double adding 12 assists to the win over the Mavs.

Jrue Holliday finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds, Derrick White scored 18 points, and Jaylen Brown pitched in with 21 points.

Kristaps Porzingis came off the bench and delivered 12 points.

Boston remained near flawless from the free throw line, shooting 95 percent.

“That’s why they are the No. 1 team in the NBA with the No. 1 record,” said Mavericks star Luka Doncic.

“They have a lot of great players. Basically, anybody can get off.”

 Doncic scored 32 points with 11 rebounds and 11 assists — the first NBA Finals triple-double in Dallas franchise history.

While Doncic led the Mavs in scoring, Kyrie Irving finished with 16 points, Daniel Gafford with 13, Derrick Jones Jr. with 11, and P.J. Washington scored 17.

“It’s not all on him. It’s a team,” said Dallas coach Jason Kidd of Doncic.

“He put us in a position. He was really good tonight. Unfortunately, we just couldn’t get over the hump. We’ve got to find someone to join Luka and (Kyrie Irving) in that scoring category.”

Doncic was questionable before Game 2 battling chest, knee, and ankle injuries. 

Games 3 and 4 are Wednesday and Friday in Dallas.

The post Mavericks Fall in Game 2 in Boston, Series heads to Dallas appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

A 5,000-gallon diesel tanker truck that caught fire yesterday afternoon after the engine ignited has now been cleaned up and removed from a DeSoto intersection.

Local authorities explained that residents were able to return home after firefighters were able to diminish the fire.

“As of 9:45 PM Friday: While all hazards related to the DeSoto Diesel Tanker Truck Fire have been mitigated, and residents were allowed to return to their homes, it will be a bit longer before the intersection of Parkerville and Cockrell Hill Roads will be reopened,” said DeSoto Communication Manager Matt Smith.

“DeSoto Fire informed us that while the burned out tanker truck is safe and secure, the remaining diesel fuel in it, is still very hot and will be allowed to cool. That is what is preventing the intersection from being opened earlier.”

The cleanup of the intersection was completed at about 1:45 AM and the intersection of Parkerville and Cockrell Hill Roads was reopened to traffic according to DeSoto Police.

The traffic lights at the intersection are flashing red due to damage from the fire and should be treated as a four-way stop until city repairs are completed.

Friday afternoon, the city was notified of a smaller size tanker truck that had been engulfed in flames due to the engine catching fire.

From there the fire traveled and quickly engulfed the truck.

DeSoto Police said the driver made it out alive and was not hurt.

The post DeSoto Intersection Reopened after Tanker Truck Fire appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.