Who Is Scott Jenkins? Donald Trump Gives Former Virginia Sheriff a Lifeline
By Jenna Sundel
Reporter (Live News)
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President Donald Trump pardoned Scott Jenkins, a former Virginia sheriff, who was recently sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted on charges of conspiracy, fraud and bribery.
The president announced the "FULL and unconditional pardon" of Jenkins on Truth Social on Monday afternoon.
Newsweek reached out to defense attorney Philip Andonian, who represented Jenkins at trial, for comment via email on Monday afternoon.
Why It Matters
Jenkins served as Culpeper County sheriff from 2012 to 2023 after losing his reelection bid. He was convicted in December 2024 on one count of conspiracy, four counts of honest services fraud and seven counts of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds.
Jenkins was accused of accepting over $75,000 in bribes in exchange for appointing multiple Northern Virginia businessmen as auxiliary deputy sheriffs within his department. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in March.
Trump wrote on Truth Social that Jenkins was a "victim" of an "overzealous" Department of Justice under the guidance of former President Joe Biden.
"Sheriff Scott Jenkins, his wife Patricia, and their family have been dragged through HELL by a Corrupt and Weaponized Biden DOJ," the president wrote.
Scott Jenkins
Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins is seen in Culpeper, Virginia, on January 16, 2020. Photo by EVA HAMBACH/AFP via Getty Images
What To Know
According to the United States' Attorney's Office of the Western District of Virginia, evidence shown during trial and court filings showed Jenkins accepted cash bribes and campaign contributions from co-defendants Rick Rahim, Fredric Gumbinner and James Metcalf, as well as five others, including two undercover FBI agents.
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"Scott Jenkins violated his oath of office and the faith the citizens of Culpeper County placed in him when he engaged in a cash-for-badges scheme," Acting U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Lee said in a statement following Jenkins' sentencing.
In return for the bribes, the United States' Attorney's Office of the Western District of Virginia said that Jenkins made the individuals auxiliary deputy sheriffs and issued them Culpeper County Sheriff's Office badges and credentials, adding that the individuals were not trained and "did not render any legitimate services to the Sheriff's Office or the citizens of Culpeper County."
Meanwhile, Jenkins said he was seeking help from Trump after having no money to appeal his conviction on a webinar hosted by the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, NBC Washington reported in April.
"I truly believe if I could get an hour of time with someone in the administration and lay out some facts with my attorney and I really believe if they could hear the other side which I couldn't get in front of the jury – I believe whole heartedly in the president," he said. "I believe if he heard the information, I know he would help if he knew my story."
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump wrote in his Truth Social post on Monday: "Sheriff Scott Jenkins, his wife Patricia, and their family have been dragged through HELL by a Corrupt and Weaponized Biden DOJ. In fact, during his trial, when Sheriff Jenkins tried to offer exculpatory evidence to support himself, the Biden Judge, Robert Ballou, refused to allow it, shut him down, and then went on a tirade. As we have seen, in Federal, City, and State Courts, Radical Left or Liberal Judges allow into evidence what they feel like, not what is mandated under the Constitution and Rules of Evidence. This Sheriff is a victim of an overzealous Biden Department of Justice, and doesn't deserve to spend a single day in jail. He is a wonderful person, who was persecuted by the Radical Left 'monsters,' and 'left for dead.' This is why I, as President of the United States, see fit to end his unfair sentence, and grant Sheriff Jenkins a FULL and Unconditional Pardon..."
Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee in a March statement following Jenkins' sentencing: "We hold our elected law enforcement officials to a higher standard of conduct and this case proves that when those officials use their authority for unjust personal enrichment, the Department of Justice will hold them accountable."
What Happens Next
Trump wrote that Jenkins will not have to serve his 10-year sentence after issuing the pardon.
"He will NOT be going to jail tomorrow, but instead will have a wonderful and productive life," the president said.
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