Trump pardons former sheriff convicted of bribery
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In issuing a pardon for a former Virginia sheriff, US President Donald Trump (pictured) called Jenkins a “victim of an overzealous Biden Department of Justice”.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump issued a pardon on May 26 for a former Virginia sheriff who was convicted in 2024 of federal bribery charges, averting prison time for the officer.
“Sheriff Scott Jenkins, his wife Patricia, and their family have been dragged through HELL,” Mr Trump posted online, issuing a full and unconditional pardon. “He will NOT be going to jail tomorrow, but instead will have a wonderful and productive life.”
Jenkins, a former Virginia sheriff who served an area about two hours outside Washington, DC, was convicted by a jury in December 2024 for accepting more than US$75,000 (S$96,300) in bribes in exchange for appointments over auxiliary deputy sheriffs.
In March, Jenkins was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
The bribes came from several people in the form of campaign contributions, and in exchange, they were sworn into deputy sheriff positions, and received badges and credentials, according to court documents and evidence presented at the trial.
“The bribe payors were not trained or vetted and did not render any legitimate services to the Sheriff’s Office,” the US Justice Department said at the time.
Since his conviction, Jenkins has appealed directly to the Trump administration for relief.
“I believe wholeheartedly in the President,” Jenkins said in April on a webinar hosted by the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, according to the NBC4 affiliate in Washington.
“I believe if he heard the information, I know he would help if he knew my story,” Jenkins said, referencing Mr Trump.
In issuing the pardon, Mr Trump in his online post called Jenkins a “victim of an overzealous Biden Department of Justice”.
The top Justice Department official who announced Jenkins’ conviction in 2024 did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This latest pardon follows Mr Trump’s January pardon of a lmost everyone criminally charged with participating in the Jan 6, 2021, attack
