U.S. President Donald Trump has granted a pardon to ex-Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins, who was convicted of bribery and fraud. Jenkins had been found guilty in December of accepting over $75,000 in bribes in exchange for appointing businessmen as law enforcement officers, despite their lack of training.
A jury convicted Jenkins of conspiracy, multiple counts of honest services fraud, and bribery involving federal funds. Prosecutors said he took cash and campaign donations some from undercover FBI agents in return for granting auxiliary deputy sheriff roles that conferred law enforcement privileges.
Although sentenced to 10 years in March and scheduled to report to prison on Tuesday, Jenkins will now avoid jail due to Trump’s pardon. On his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed Jenkins was a victim of political persecution by the Biden administration and described him as a “wonderful person” who had been unfairly treated.
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Jenkins, a known Trump supporter, had appealed to the former president following his conviction. Trump criticised the judge appointed by President Biden for allegedly restricting Jenkins’s defence during trial proceedings.
The Justice Department had argued that Jenkins betrayed his office for personal gain. Nevertheless, he now joins a growing list of Trump allies who have received presidential pardons.
Under the U.S. Constitution, presidents are empowered to issue pardons for federal offences, excluding impeachment. A pardon cancels punishment and restores civil rights, including the right to vote or run for office.
