President Donald Trump on Monday granted an unconditional pardon to a Virginia sheriff who had been convicted of federal bribery fees and sentenced to 10 years in federal jail.
Scott Jenkins, who had been the sheriff of Culpeper County, Virginia, was set to report back to jail on Tuesday.
“Sheriff Scott Jenkins, his spouse Patricia, and their household have been dragged by HELL by a Corrupt and Weaponized Biden DOJ,” Trump wrote in an announcement on Fact Social. “In actual fact, throughout his trial, when Sheriff Jenkins tried to supply exculpatory proof to help himself, the Biden Choose, Robert Ballou, refused to permit it, shut him down, after which went on a tirade.”
Culpeper County, Virginia, Sheriff Scott Jenkins speaks throughout a gun rights rally organized by The Virginia Residents Protection League on Capitol Sq. close to the state capital constructing, Jan. 20, 2020, in Richmond, Va.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Photographs
“As we’ve seen, in Federal, Metropolis, and State Courts, Radical Left or Liberal Judges permit into proof what they really feel like, not what is remitted underneath the Structure and Guidelines of Proof,” he added. “This Sheriff is a sufferer of an overzealous Biden Division of Justice, and does not need to spend a single day in jail.”
Jenkins confronted a jury trial in late 2024 however wasn’t sentenced till March 2025 underneath the Trump administration. Appearing U.S. Lawyer Zachary T. Lee, who represented the U.S. authorities, and subsequently the Trump administration, within the case, continues to be serving because the performing U.S. legal professional for the Western District of Virginia.
Trump praised Jenkins as “a beautiful particular person, who was persecuted by the Radical Left ‘monsters,’ and ‘left for lifeless.’ For this reason I, as President of the US, see match to finish his unfair sentence, and grant Sheriff Jenkins a FULL and Unconditional Pardon. He’ll NOT be going to jail tomorrow, however as a substitute may have a beautiful and productive life.”
Jenkins was convicted by a jury in December 2024 on fees together with one rely of conspiracy, 4 counts of trustworthy providers fraud and 7 counts of bribery regarding federally funded applications.
Lee wrote in a March sentencing memo that Jenkins repeated violated the general public’s belief “by exploiting his official powers for private acquire.”
“After he was caught, he sought to govern the judicial course of and to evade duty for his crimes by mendacity to the Court docket and the jury,” Lee added.
“In sum, Jenkins’ lies and abuses of energy within the immediate case aren’t an aberration,” he mentioned. “Since his early days in regulation enforcement, Jenkins has displayed a stunning disregard for his moral and authorized duties.”
The Division of Justice had said in a press release in March that he had acquired over $75,000 in money funds for “appointing quite a few Northern Virginia businessmen as auxiliary deputy sheriffs inside his division.”
“Scott Jenkins violated his oath of workplace and the religion the residents of Culpeper County positioned in him when he engaged in a cash-for-badges scheme,” Lee mentioned on the time.
“We maintain our elected regulation enforcement officers to the next customary of conduct and this case proves that when these officers use their authority for unjust private enrichment, the Division of Justice will maintain them accountable,” he added.
