### Trump Pardons Former Virginia Sheriff Convicted of Bribery in Allegedly Politically Motivated Case

Former Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins, who was convicted of bribery charges last year and sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, has received a pardon from President Donald Trump. Trump attributed the prosecution to political motivations by the Biden administration.

Jenkins, a staunch advocate for gun rights and a local supporter of Trump, was convicted of multiple charges in 2024, including conspiracy, honest services fraud, and bribery. The charges stemmed from accepting $75,000 in bribes from businessmen in exchange for appointing them as auxiliary deputy sheriffs without proper vetting or training.

Expressing his support for Jenkins, Trump took to Truth Social on Monday, decrying the alleged corruption of the Justice Department and claiming Jenkins and his family were unfairly targeted. "He will NOT be going to jail tomorrow but instead will have a wonderful and productive life," Trump stated, emphasizing his belief in Jenkins' innocence with a full and unconditional pardon.

Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond, criticized the pardon, citing the substantial evidence and witness testimonies presented during the trial. "It is a straightforward case of bribery by a public official with many witnesses testifying," Tobias remarked, stressing the gravity of the crime given Jenkins' position as a law enforcement officer.

Trump's decision to pardon Jenkins aligns with his ongoing efforts to counter what he describes as a biased application of justice under the Biden administration. This ideology also influenced his controversial clemency decision in January, which granted pardons to nearly 1,600 individuals charged in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.

Critics point out that Trump’s use of clemency often bypasses the standard procedures and guidelines set by the Justice Department's Office of the Pardon Attorney. Some observers draw parallels with President Joe Biden's own controversial act of issuing a sweeping pardon to his son Hunter and other family members, despite prior assurances that he would avoid such actions.