Feds: Sheriff Sells Badges for Bribes
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Feds: Sheriff Sells Badges for Bribes

Former_Culpeper_County_Sheriff_Scott_Howard_Jenkins_Poses_Next_to_a_Cruiser_As_He_Was_Reelected_For_the_Third_Time_in_2019

Former Culpeper County, Va., Sheriff Scott Howard Jenkins has been convicted of bribery for exchanging auxillery sheriff’s positions for cash.

Jenkins’ Order Gives Volunteers Same Priveleges as Active Law Enforcement

On Jan. 1, 2020, a Jenkins-approved order went into effect, giving auxiliary deputy sheriffs and civilian volunteers the same duties and law enforcement powers as paid deputies, according to the indictment.

As_Sheriff_of_Culpeper_County_Va_Scott_Howard_Jenkins_issued_an_order_giving_civilian_volunteers_and_auxiliary_deputy_sheriffs_law_enforcement_powers
As Sheriff of Culpeper County, Va., Scott Howard Jenkins issued an order giving civilian volunteers and auxiliary deputy sheriffs law enforcement powers typically reserved for duly appointed law enforcement officers, according to an indictment obtained by The Daily Muck.

Jenkins appointed people as auxiliary deputy sheriffs by signing court orders and filing them before a Circuit Court Judge, according to the indictment. The appointments expired when the term of the appointing sheriff expired, but they could be re-appointed either by the same sheriff if reelected or by the new one.

Beginning in April 2019, Jenkins accepted bribes from Metcalf, Rahim, Gumbinner and the other co-conspirators and, in turn, appointed them to auxiliary deputy sheriffs, according to the indictment. Jenkins issued them badges and identification cards from the sheriff’s Office. The appointment also allowed them to carry a concealed weapon in any state without needing a concealed carry permit.

Sheriff_Jenkins_authorized_auxiliary_deputies_to_carry_concealed_weapons_in_violation_of_Virginia_state_law
Sheriff Jenkins authorized auxiliary deputies to carry concealed weapons in violation of Virginia state law, according to court documents.

Jenkins appointed the individuals without giving them proper training, and he instructed the appointees to pay the bribes through other people or in cash transactions to conceal the payments, according to the indictment. Jenkins also created falsified firearm purchase receipts to hide the bribes.

During Jenkin’s reelection run against his Democratic challenger, Rahim worked with Jenkins to get donations in exchange for Rahim’s firearm rights being restored and the promise of being appointed as an auxiliary deputy sheriff if Jenkins won, according to the indictment.

Jenkins_indictment_also_shows_the_Culpeper_County_Va_sheriff_communicating_with_people_about_big_fish_who_were_wealthy_and_needed_their_firearms_rights_restored
Jenkins’ indictment also shows the Culpeper County, Va. sheriff communicating with people about “big fish” who were “wealthy” and needed their firearms rights restored.

Rahim’s company, BV Management LLC, wrote checks for thousands of dollars to Jenkins, which were memoed as a “loan,” according to the indictment. However, Jenkins did not disclose that he owed any creditors over $5000 on his conflict of interest disclosure forms.

When Jenkins won, he tried to pressure law officials to restore Rahim’s firearm rights and even tried to interfere with a speeding ticket, according to the indictment.

Jenkins was found guilty of all 12 counts he was charged with, including bribery, mail fraud and wire fraud. He will be sentenced on March 31, 2025, according to the DOJ press release.

Jessika Saunders
Jessika Saunders is a journalist with a passion for politics. When she isn't writing, she enjoys the Arizona weather and teaches virtual fitness classes. Jessika also writes fiction novels and hopes to become a published author in the future.
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