A former sheriff from Virginia has been found guilty of federal bribery offenses after he was accused of issuing deputy badges in return for cash payments.
In a ruling late Wednesday, a jury in Charlottesville, Virginia, reached a unanimous decision, convicting ex-Culpeper Sheriff Scott Jenkins on all counts following several hours of review.

In 2023, Jenkins faced an indictment that included 16 charges, encompassing conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery concerning programs that utilize federal funding.
During his defense, Jenkins took the witness stand, asserting that there was no direct relationship between the cash he received and the badges he distributed.

The prosecution presented evidence from two undercover FBI agents who were sworn in as auxiliary deputies in 2022. These agents promptly handed Jenkins envelopes containing $5,000 and $10,000 cash during their interactions.
Additionally, businessman Rick Rahim from northern Virginia testified that Jenkins assisted him in regaining his gun rights in 2019 and 2020, and in return for substantial cash payments and unreturned loans, he secured a deputy title.

Previously, Rahim entered into a plea agreement earlier this year and is scheduled to be sentenced for his involvement in January.
The prosecution revealed that some of the bribes were channeled into Jenkins’ campaign fund, while others were used for personal expenditures.

Elected as sheriff in 2011, Jenkins won reelection twice until his defeat in 2023, running under both the Republican and independent banners.
Jenkins gained attention in 2019 when he declared his intent to enlist county residents as deputies if the then newly elected Democratic majority in the state legislature passed what he characterized as “unnecessary gun restrictions.”

As of Thursday, Jenkins’ attorneys had not replied to inquiries about whether they would seek to appeal the conviction.
A hearing to determine his sentence has been scheduled for March 31.