Hunter Biden unexpectedly pleaded guilty to all nine charges in his federal tax evasion case, catching prosecutors off guard as they prepared for his trial. The son of President Joe Biden had initially denied intentionally evading $1.4 million in income taxes between 2016 and 2019. He had sought to enter an Alford plea, maintaining his innocence while accepting the charges, but prosecutors objected, prompting him to change to a straight guilty plea.

This plea shift occurred on Thursday in a Los Angeles court, just as jury selection was about to begin, with over 100 potential jurors present. Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, stated that his client chose to plead guilty to avoid a trial and to protect his family and friends from testifying about events that occurred “when he was addicted to drugs.” Judge Mark Scarsi noted that Biden faces up to 17 years in prison and fines between $500,000 and $1 million, with sentencing scheduled for December 16, a month after the presidential election.

Hunter Biden had previously been convicted on charges related to gun possession and drug use, making him the first criminally convicted son of a sitting U.S. president. During the hearing, Biden, his wife Melissa Cohen, his lawyers, and Secret Service agents had to pass by portraits of his father in the federal courthouse.

Prosecutors expressed surprise at the initial plea suggestion, arguing against allowing Biden to plead guilty while maintaining innocence. Lead prosecutor Leo Wise emphasized, “Hunter Biden is not innocent. Hunter Biden is guilty. We came to court today to try this case.” President Biden has stated he would not use executive power to pardon his son.