(Source : NBC)Former Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins is set to appear in federal court in Charlottesville on today to face charges of conspiracy, fraud, and bribery. Jenkins, who served as sheriff for over a decade, could face significant prison time if convicted. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Jenkins is accused of accepting more than $70,000 in bribes over several years in exchange for awarding sheriff’s auxiliary deputy badges to wealthy individuals. Federal prosecutors claim the badges allowed the recipients to carry concealed weapons nationwide and evade traffic tickets. Jenkins’ three co-defendants, who have already pleaded guilty, are expected to testify against him during the trial.
The investigation into Jenkins began in 2022, when the FBI began working with a confidential informant, referred to as “Individual 1,” to arrange meetings with Jenkins and potential bribe payors. Undercover FBI agents also allegedly gave Jenkins bribes, which were secretly recorded. Prosecutors plan to present hours of audio and video recordings of these transactions at trial.
The charges stem from an alleged scheme dating back to 2011, when Jenkins was running for office. Prosecutors claim Jenkins and Individual 1 began recruiting wealthy Northern Virginia businessmen to pay for badges in exchange for campaign contributions. The two are accused of referring to the recruits as “money guys” and misleading them about the privileges the badges provided, including the ability to carry a concealed weapon across all 50 states.
Federal court records also reveal that Jenkins may have been financially overextended, with prosecutors suggesting that his alleged financial struggles could have motivated him to solicit bribes. FBI agents are expected to testify that Jenkins was facing significant personal financial pressure at the time, potentially explaining his involvement in the bribery scheme.
Jenkins and his defense team have not responded to repeated inquiries about the case. However, in a statement posted on an online fundraising site, Jenkins’ attorneys characterized the trial as politically motivated, drawing comparisons between Jenkins and former President Donald Trump, who they say have both been targeted by a “weaponized” federal government.
The trial is expected to feature testimony from several key witnesses, including businesspeople who allegedly paid Jenkins for the badges and the undercover agents involved in the investigation. The defense has denied the charges, but with several co-defendants already pleading guilty and evidence from secret recordings, the case could lead to a lengthy prison sentence for the former sheriff.
