### Trump Pardons Former Virginia Sheriff Convicted of Fraud and Bribery

Former Virginia sheriff Scott Jenkins, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for fraud and bribery, has received a pardon from former President Donald Trump. Jenkins, who served as sheriff of Culpeper County, was found guilty last December of accepting over $75,000 in bribes to appoint businessmen as law enforcement officers without the necessary training.

President Trump announced the pardon on his Truth Social network, expressing that Jenkins and his family had been subjected to undue hardship. Trump characterized Jenkins as a "wonderful person" who was unfairly targeted by what he described as an "overzealous Biden Department of Justice." The trial was overseen by Judge Robert Ballou, an appointee of President Joe Biden, but it was a jury that delivered the guilty verdict.

Jenkins faced multiple charges including conspiracy, honest services fraud, and bribery, for accepting bribes in the form of cash and campaign contributions. Prosecutors argued that Jenkins violated his office by granting auxiliary deputy sheriff positions in return for these bribes; these positions, while volunteer, bestow significant law-enforcement powers.

According to Trump, Jenkins was not allowed to fully present his defense during the trial, claiming that Judge Ballou dismissed his evidence and acted out of bias. In contrast, the acting U.S. attorney for Virginia had argued that Jenkins's case demonstrated the accountability of officials who exploit their positions for personal gain.

Elected first in 2011 and re-elected in 2015 and 2019, Jenkins appealed for Trump's intervention after his conviction. This pardon adds Jenkins to the list of individuals who have received clemency from Trump, including nearly 1,600 people involved in the January 2021 Capitol riots.

Under the U.S. Constitution, the president possesses the power to grant pardons for federal offenses, excluding cases of impeachment. This pardon not only forgives Jenkins's crimes but also restores his civil rights, including the ability to vote and run for office.