A former Virginia sheriff who was found guilty of bribery was given a full pardon by President Trump on Monday, claiming that the Biden administration’s “weaponized” Justice Department had harmed him.
Scott Jenkins, who was found guilty in December of taking over $70,000 in bribes in exchange for designating local businesses as auxiliary deputy sheriffs in the office, was pardoned by Trump.
Trump announced the pardon on Truth Social on Monday, saying, “Sheriff Scott Jenkins, his wife Patricia, and their family have been dragged through HELL by a Corrupt and Weaponized Biden DOJ”
Jenkins was found guilty on one count of conspiracy, four counts of honest services mail and wire fraud, and seven counts of bribery pertaining to programs receiving public funds. Jenkins was the sheriff of Northern Virginia’s Culpeper County for over ten years before losing his bid for reelection in 2023.
Jenkins allegedly took bribes in cash and in the form of campaign contributions from a number of people, including two FBI undercover agents, according to the prosecution.
They contended that even though he was untrained, unscreened, and not providing any services to the sheriff’s office, he provided them badges and credentials.
Jenkins was also charged with exerting pressure on local authorities to allow one of the people to regain their firearm ownership rights in spite of their criminal record.
Prior to Jenkins’ conviction, three of the men—including the formerly convicted felon—had already entered guilty pleas for their involvement in the bribery conspiracy.
In March, Jenkins received a 10-year jail sentence.
“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 United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee stated. “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.”
Trump, however, claimed that Jenkins was treated unfairly and that the judge, who was chosen by former President Biden, rejected evidence that Jenkins gave to clear his name.
“This Sheriff is a victim of an overzealous Biden Department of Justice, and doesn’t deserve to spend a single day in jail,” he stated. “He is a wonderful person, who was persecuted by the Radical Left ‘monsters,’ and ‘left for dead.’”
Additionally, Trump’s pardon followed Jenkins’ personal request for leniency, which he made during a webinar last month.
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Jenkins allegedly stated that he lacked the funds to appeal the verdict and that he thought Trump would assist if he heard the case’s facts and his side, which he was unable to present to the jury.
Trump has frequently claimed, without supporting data, that the Biden administration’s politicized Justice Department targeted him and other conservatives.
Since taking office again, he has pardoned a number of controversial individuals, including Michele Fiore, a conservative commentator and former member of the Las Vegas City Council who was convicted of wire fraud, and the majority of those convicted of offenses connected to the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
Democrats have accused the president of targeting political opponents as a result of the Justice Department’s investigations against a number of public officials under Trump.
