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President Donald Trump on Monday issued a full presidential pardon to former Culpeper County, Virginia Sheriff Scott Jenkins, who was convicted in 2023 of accepting more than $70,000 in bribes in a scheme that prosecutors said traded law enforcement badges for cash and campaign contributions.
Trump, announcing the pardon on his Truth Social platform, accused the Department of Justice under President Biden of engaging in a politically motivated prosecution.
“Sheriff Scott Jenkins, his wife Patricia, and their family have been dragged through HELL by a Corrupt and Weaponized Biden DOJ,” Trump wrote, calling Jenkins a “wonderful person” who had been “persecuted by the Radical Left.”
Jenkins, who served as sheriff for more than a decade before losing re-election last year, was convicted on multiple federal counts, including conspiracy, bribery, and honest services wire and mail fraud. According to federal prosecutors, Jenkins accepted bribes — including cash and campaign donations — in return for granting individuals, some of whom were undercover FBI agents, appointments as auxiliary deputy sheriffs.
Those individuals received law enforcement credentials without background checks or training, and in at least one case, Jenkins allegedly lobbied for the restoration of firearm rights for a convicted felon. Three others implicated in the case pleaded guilty before Jenkins’ conviction.
A Divisive Pardon
Jenkins was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison in March. At the time, Acting U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Lee said Jenkins “violated his oath of office” and “used his authority for unjust personal enrichment,” calling the case a warning to other corrupt officials.
Trump, however, claimed Jenkins’ conviction was a miscarriage of justice. He alleged that the presiding judge — a Biden appointee — denied Jenkins the opportunity to present exonerating evidence.
“This Sheriff is a victim of an overzealous Biden Department of Justice, and doesn’t deserve to spend a single day in jail,” Trump declared.
Jenkins had reportedly made a direct plea for clemency in a recent webinar, saying he lacked the resources to appeal and hoped Trump would hear his version of the story.
Pattern of Controversial Pardons
Since returning to office, Trump has issued a string of controversial pardons, including to individuals convicted in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot and former Las Vegas City Councilwoman Michele Fiore, who was convicted of wire fraud.
Critics argue that Trump is using the pardon power to settle political scores and reward allies, while Republicans have echoed Trump’s claims that the Biden administration has politicized the DOJ.
Meanwhile, Democrats say Trump is weaponizing the Justice Department himself, citing a wave of new federal probes into political opponents and local officials.
