Who Is Scott Jenkins, the Former Virginia Sheriff Pardoned by Trump?

Trump called Jenkins, former sheriff of Culpeper County, Virginia, a ‘victim of an overzealous Biden Department of Justice.’

Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins speaks during a gun rights rally organized by The Virginia Citizens Defense League on Capitol Square near the state capital building in Richmond, Va., on Jan. 20, 2020. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

President Donald Trump made headlines on Memorial Day with his pardon of former Virginia sheriff Scott Jenkins, who was convicted on federal bribery charges in 2024.

The president announced the pardon on May 26, one day before the former law enforcement officer would have had to report to prison to start his 10-year sentence.

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 wrote on Truth Social, stating that he was issuing a full and unconditional pardon.

“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 indicted on 16 counts, which included conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery, all relating to programs receiving federal funds.

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 said at the time.

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.

Court documents indicated that two undercover FBI agents testified against Jenkins. The agents said they were promised Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office badges despite a lack of training or vetting by the 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.”

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 of 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 social media platform X, saying: “Thank you, President Trump! I am thrilled that Sheriff Jenkins is the first pardon since I became your Pardon Attorney.

“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.