Latest news with #BidenDOJ
Epoch Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Who Is Scott Jenkins, the Former Virginia Sheriff Pardoned by Trump
President Donald Trump made headlines on Memorial Day with his pardon of former Virginia sheriff Scott Jenkins, who was convicted on The president In announcing the pardon, Trump called Jenkins, formerly the sheriff of Culpeper County, Virginia, a 'victim of an overzealous Biden Department of Justice.' 'Sheriff Scott Jenkins, his wife, Patricia, and their family have been dragged through HELL by a Corrupt and Weaponized Biden DOJ,' Trump 'He will NOT be going to jail tomorrow, but instead will have a wonderful and productive life.' Jenkins Case Convicted in December 2024, Jenkins, 53, was sentenced in March on charges of accepting more than $72,500 in bribes in exchange for auxiliary deputy sheriffs' appointments. He was Related Stories 5/26/2025 5/14/2025 Jenkins was eventually found guilty on one count of conspiracy, four counts of honest services fraud, and seven counts of bribery. The jury found him guilty of accepting bribes in the form of campaign contributions from multiple individuals in exchange for positions in the sheriff's department, including badges and credentials. 'The bribe payors were not trained or vetted and did not render any legitimate services to the Sheriff's Office,' the Justice Department Jenkins was also accused of pressuring local officials to approve the petition filed in Culpeper County Circuit Court by a convicted felon to restore his right to possess a firearm, falsely stating that he resided in Culpeper County. Following his conviction, Jenkins appealed directly to Trump for relief, saying at an April webinar hosted by the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association: 'I believe wholeheartedly in the president. 'I believe if he heard the information, I know he would help if he knew my story.' After issuing the pardon, Trump cited U.S. District Judge Robert Ballou's denial of Jenkins's attempt to offer certain evidence in his defense, saying the judge 'refused to allow it, shut him down, and then went on a tirade.' Sheriff's Career The former Virginia law enforcement officer was elected as sheriff in 2011 and took the oath on Jan. 1, 2012. He won reelection twice before losing his position in 2023 while under investigation for the crimes for which he was eventually convicted. During his tenure as an elected official, he ran as both a Republican and an independent. While serving as sheriff, Jenkins was known for his advocacy for Second Amendment rights. In 2019, the sheriff made headlines when he promised to deputize residents of his county if the newly elected Democratic majority state Legislature passed certain gun restrictions. While he was in leadership in Culpeper County, the Sheriff's Office implemented active shooter training for public school employees. His office also offered free concealed-carry training to citizens in the area. Jenkins formed the county's first SWAT team and served as a firearms and tactics instructor. Reactions to the Pardon U.S. pardon attorney Ed Martin reacted to Trump's decision on X, 'Congratulations, Sheriff Jenkins: Do great things and make us proud.' Abigail Spanberger, former member of Congress and current gubernatorial candidate, who previously represented the county where Jenkins was sheriff, expressed an opposing view. She said Jenkins 'abused his power, violated his oath, committed multiple federal crimes, and was to be held accountable for his crimes.' 'He was convicted by a jury of his peers. ... He was supposed to report to prison this week for a 10-year sentence,' she said. 'The president just pardoned him in an affront to the oath he swore, the community he betrayed, the laws he broke, and the law enforcement officers who investigated this case and hold themselves to the highest ethical standard every day.' Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump Capped Memorial Day by Pardoning a Crooked Sheriff
Donald Trump announced on Monday that he pardoned a MAGA sheriff right before the sheriff was set to serve a 10-year sentence for federal bribery crimes. Former Culpeper County, Virginia, Sheriff Scott Jenkins was found guilty of giving civilians police badges in exchange for thousands of dollars, amassing more than $75,000 in bribes. According to prosecutors, he made unvetted D.C.-area business owners unpaid auxiliary deputies, which gave them police powers. The business owners wanted to be able to avoid traffic tickets and be able to carry concealed firearms without a permit. Jenkins was sentenced in March after a jury convicted him of all counts in December. He was indicted in 2023 on counts of conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery. 'Sheriff Scott Jenkins, his wife Patricia, and their family have been dragged through HELL by a Corrupt and Weaponized Biden DOJ,' Trump posted on Truth Social. '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. He will NOT be going to jail tomorrow, but instead will have a wonderful and productive life.' Prosecutors said Jenkins put some of the bribe money in his campaign fund, but he kept the rest for himself. He has denied any wrongdoing. 'I believe wholeheartedly in the president,' Jenkins said in April during a webinar hosted by the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association. 'I believe if he heard the information, I know he would help if he knew my story,' he added. During the trial, Fairfax County business owner Rick Rahim testified that he was barred from owning a firearm. In exchange for $25,000 in cash and a $17,500 home-construction loan that was never repaid, Jenkins deputized him so he could own a gun. Two undercover FBI agents said they were made auxiliary deputies and then gave Jenkins $5,000 and $10,000 cash. '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 said at the time of 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. I am grateful to the FBI for their tireless work on this investigation.' In 2019, Jenkins said he would deputize county residents if the legislature were to enact more gun control rules. 'I plan to properly screen and deputize thousands of our law-abiding citizens to protect their constitutional right to own firearms,' he wrote on Facebook. Trump has pardoned other supporters, including to about 1,500 defendants who participated in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. 'No MAGA left behind,' Ed Martin, the pardon attorney at the Department of Justice and former interim U.S. attorney for D.C., posted on X. He added: 'Thank you, @potus Trump, for pardoning Sheriff Jenkins!' More from Rolling Stone NPR Sues Trump for Trying to Strip Its Funding Trump Brags About Hosting Olympics and World Cup in Memorial Day Speech: 'I Have Everything' Trump Adviser Admits Republican Tax Bill Makes Huge Cuts to Medicaid Best of Rolling Stone The Useful Idiots New Guide to the Most Stoned Moments of the 2020 Presidential Campaign Anatomy of a Fake News Scandal The Radical Crusade of Mike Pence
6 days ago
- Politics
Trump says he's pardoning a Virginia sheriff convicted on bribery charges
President Donald Trump said Monday that he is pardoning a former Virginia sheriff who was sentenced to 10 years in prison after a jury convicted him on federal bribery charges for deputizing several businessmen in exchange for cash payments. Former Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins, 53, was found guilty on fraud and bribery charges and sentenced in March. But on Monday, Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social that Jenkins and his family 'have been dragged through HELL by a Corrupt and Weaponized Biden DOJ." '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,' Trump said in the post. 'He will NOT be going to jail tomorrow, but instead will have a wonderful and productive life." Messages seeking comment were left with Jenkins' lawyers. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Virginia was closed for the Memorial Day holiday. Jenkins is the latest pardon Trump has given to loyal supporters. In April, he pardoned Nevada Republican Michele Fiore, who was awaiting sentencing on federal charges that she used money meant for a statue honoring a slain police officer for personal costs, including plastic surgery. In January, Trump pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road, an underground website for selling drugs. Ulbricht had been sentenced to life in prison in 2015 after a high-profile prosecution that highlighted the internet's role in illegal markets. He also pardoned, commuted the prison sentences or vowed to dismiss the cases of all of the 1,500-plus people charged with crimes in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, including people convicted of assaulting police officers. Jenkins was indicted in 2023 on 16 counts — including conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery — concerning programs receiving federal funds. In December, a jury found him guilty of one count of conspiracy, four counts of honest services fraud, and seven counts of bribery. Jenkins took the stand in his own defense and said there was no connection between the payments he received and the badges he handed out, according to news reports. Testifying against Jenkins were two undercover FBI agents who were sworn in as auxiliary deputies in 2022 and immediately thereafter gave Jenkins envelopes with $5,000 and $10,000 cash, respectively. Jenkins appealed his conviction in April. Trump said Jenkins tried to offer evidence in his defense, but U.S. District Judge Robert Ballou, a Biden appointee, 'refused to allow it, shut him down, and then went on a tirade.' Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee said at the time that Jenkins violated his oath of office 'and this case proves that when those officials use their authority for unjust personal enrichment, the Department of Justice will hold them accountable.'
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Trump pardons Virginia sheriff convicted of bribery
Update: Date: 2025-05-27T09:34:40.000Z Title: Trump announces full pardon for Virginia sheriff convicted of bribery Content: Hello and welcome to the US politics live blog. I'm Tom Ambrose and I will be bringing you all the latest news lines over the coming hours. We start with the news that Donald Trump has issued a pardon for a former Virginia sheriff who was convicted last year of federal bribery charges. Scott Jenkins, who had been the sheriff of Culpeper County, Virginia, was set to report to jail on Tuesday after he was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. Jenkins was convicted by a jury in December 2024 for accepting more than $75,000 in bribes in exchange for appointments as auxiliary deputy sheriffs. In a Truth Social post on Monday, Trump wrote: Sheriff Scott Jenkins, his wife Patricia, and their family have been dragged through HELL by a Corrupt and Weaponized Biden DOJ. He said Jenkins was a 'victim of an overzealous Biden Department of Justice' and a 'wonderful person', adding: He will NOT be going to jail tomorrow, but instead will have a wonderful and productive life. More on that as we get it today. Meanwhile, in other news: Donald Trump used the traditional presidential Memorial Day speech at Arlington national cemetery to talk up his own plans and achievements. The president laid a wreath and paid tribute to fallen soldiers but also veered off into rally-style personal boasting and brief partisan attacks during the solemn event. EU leaders expressed hopes for a quick deal to resolve the trade war with the US after Trump announced he was delaying his threatened 50% tariffs for the bloc until 9 July. The US president said on Sunday he would pause the border tax due to be imposed on 1 June, which he had announced two days earlier, after what he called a 'very nice call' with European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen. Trump issued a pardon for a former Virginia sheriff who was convicted last year of federal bribery charges. Scott Jenkins, who had been the sheriff of Culpeper county, Virginia, was set to report to jail on Tuesday after he was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for accepting more than $75,000 in bribes in exchange for appointments as auxiliary deputy sheriffs. Trump also said he is considering taking a further $3bn of grant money away from Harvard University and giving it to trade schools across the US. Former president of Harvard and current professor Drew Gilpin Faust warned that American freedoms and democracy were at risk. Trump suggested Russian leader Vladimir Putin had 'gone crazy' after Moscow launched its third consecutive night of massive drone strikes against Ukraine, killing at least six people. In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump railed against Putin while also criticising the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for calling out US inaction against Russia. Former congressman Charles Rangel of New York died on Monday at the age of 94. An outspoken, gravel-voiced Harlem Democrat who spent nearly five decades on Capitol Hill, Rangel was a founding member of the Congressional Black caucus and the first African American to chair the powerful House ways and means committee. The FBI will launch new investigations into the 2023 discovery of a bag of cocaine at the White House during Joe Biden's term, and the leak of the supreme court's draft opinion overturning Roe v Wade in 2022. The FBI will also investigate pipe bombs discovered at Democratic and Republican party headquarters before the 6 January 2021 Capitol riot. The Trump family media company plans to raise about $3bn to spend on cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, according to a Financial Times report. The Trump Media & Technology Group, which is behind the Truth Social app and controlled by the president's family, aims to raise $2bn in fresh equity and another $1bn via a convertible bond, the paper said, citing sources.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump Pardons MAGA Sheriff Convicted of Cash-For-Badge Scheme
President Donald Trump pardoned a MAGA sheriff from Virginia who was convicted of accepting more than $75,000 in bribes. Trump announced in a Truth Social post on Monday that he was issuing a 'full and unconditional' pardon of Scott Jenkins, who was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison earlier this year following his December 2024 conviction of conspiracy, honest services fraud, and bribery. The president claimed that Jenkins and his family had been 'dragged through HELL by a Corrupt and Weaponized Biden DOJ.' 'This Sheriff is a victim of an overzealous Biden Department of Justice, and doesn't deserve to spend a single day in jail,' he wrote. 'He is a wonderful person, who was persecuted by the Radical Left 'monsters,' and 'left for dead.'' Trump said Jenkins will not be going to jail, 'but instead will have a wonderful and productive life.' Jenkins was the sheriff of Culpeper County, Virginia for more than a decade until he lost his re-election bid in 2023 following his indictment on bribery and fraud charges. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Virginia said Jenkins accepted tens of thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for appointing Northern Virginia businessmen as auxiliary deputy sheriffs so that they could avoid traffic tickets and carry concealed firearms without a permit. Under the scheme, Jenkins accepted cash bribes in the form of campaign contributions, then appointed the payers as auxiliary deputy sheriffs with their own Sheriff's Office badges and credentials, despite not undergoing any training or vetting. '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,' Acting U.S. Attorney Zachary Lee said in March. In 2021, Jenkins was one of eight sheriffs named as fellows by the Claremont Institute, a far-right think tank that employs a number of former Trump administration officials.
