President Trump stated Monday he’s pardoning Scott Jenkins, a former Virginia sheriff who was convicted of constructing a number of businessmen sworn regulation enforcement officers in trade for money bribes.
Former Culpeper County Sheriff Jenkins, 53, was discovered responsible on fraud and bribery prices and sentenced to 10 years in jail in March. However on Monday, Mr. Trump posted on Reality Social that Jenkins and his household “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,” Mr. Trump stated within the submit. “He will NOT be going to jail tomorrow, but instead will have a wonderful and productive life.”
EVA HAMBACH/AFP through Getty Pictures
CBS Information has reached out to Jenkins’ attorneys for remark.
Jenkins was indicted in 2023 on 16 counts. In December, a jury discovered Jenkins responsible of 1 rely of conspiracy, 4 counts of trustworthy companies fraud and 7 counts of bribery. Jenkins appealed his conviction in April.
Federal prosecutors say Jenkins took $75,000 price of bribes. He allegedly accepted money and marketing campaign contributions from eight individuals — together with two undercover FBI brokers — and in return, gave them badges and made them auxiliary deputy sheriffs, regardless of not having any coaching or vetting. He additionally allegedly pushed officers to revive one bribe-payer’s proper to own a gun as a convicted felon.
Jenkins took the stand in his personal protection and stated there was no connection between the funds he acquired and the badges he handed out, in accordance with information stories. Testifying towards Jenkins have been the undercover FBI brokers who have been sworn in as deputies in 2022 and instantly thereafter gave Jenkins envelopes with $5,000 and $10,000 money, respectively.
Trump stated Jenkins tried to supply proof in his protection, however U.S. District Decide Robert Ballou, a Biden appointee, “refused to allow it, shut him down, and then went on a tirade.”
Appearing United States Legal professional Zachary T. Lee stated on the time that Jenkins violated his oath of workplace “and this case proves that when those officials use their authority for unjust personal enrichment, the Department of Justice will hold them accountable.”
A longstanding Trump supporter, Jenkins is the most recent ally of the president to obtain a pardon.
On Mr. Trump’s first day in workplace, he granted pardons and commutations to greater than 1,000 individuals charged within the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Mr. Trump has additionally granted clemency to a number of different public officers. He pardoned Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was convicted of attempting to promote Barack Obama’s Senate seat, and Michelle Fiore, a Las Vegas politician and dependable Trump backer convicted of paying for cosmetic surgery and different private bills with cash meant to construct a statue for a slain police officer.
