A Charlottesville jury convicted the former Culpeper County sheriff for accepting more than $75,000 in bribes in exchange for a law enforcement official badge.
Scott Howard Jenkins, 53, was convicted Wednesday and will be sentenced on March 31, 2025.
Jenkins was convicted of one count of conspiracy, four counts of honest services fraud and seven counts of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds.
He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison on the conspiracy count, 20 years in prison on each of the honest services fraud counts and 10 years in prison on each of the bribery counts.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Jenkins accepted bribes from Rick Tariq Rahim, 55, of Great Falls; Fredric Gumbinner, 64, of Fairfax; James Metcalf, 60, of Manassas; and at least five others, including two FBI undercover agents.
In return, Jenkins appointed each of the bribe payors as auxiliary deputy sheriffs, a sworn law-enforcement position and issued them official Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office badges and credentials.
The bribe payors were not trained or vetted and did not render any legitimate services to the Sheriff’s Office.
In addition, Jenkins pressured other local officials to approve a petition filed in Culpeper County Circuit Court by Rahim, a convicted felon, to restore his right to possess a firearm and which falsely stated that Rahim resided in Culpeper County.
Rahim, Gumbinner and Metcalf all previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the bribery scheme and will be sentenced at a later date.
Related story
Virginia sheriff accused of accepting bribes for auxiliary deputy sheriff titles, rights
Support AFP
Share
Crystal Graham
