Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to nine federal tax charges Thursday, just hours before jury selection was set to begin in his trial. Though the surprise plea means he’ll avoid a lengthy trial, Hunter Biden still faces up to 17 years in prison and fines of up to $1.3 million for crimes including tax evasion, filing fraudulent tax returns and failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes from 2016 to 2019. Hunter Biden will be sentenced on December 16 by a Trump-appointed judge. Separately, Hunter Biden faces sentencing in November for convictions on three felony gun charges in Delaware. President Biden has repeatedly vowed not to pardon his son or commute possible prison sentences.