President Donald Trump said Monday that he is pardoning a former Virginia sheriff who was sentenced to 10 years in prison after a jury convicted him on federal bribery charges for deputizing several businessmen in exchange for cash payments.
Former Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins, 53, was found guilty on fraud and bribery charges and sentenced in March.
But on Monday, Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social that Jenkins and his family “have been dragged through HELL by a Corrupt and Weaponized Biden DOJ.”
“This Sheriff is a victim of an overzealous Biden Department of Justice, and doesn’t deserve to spend a single day in jail. He is a wonderful person, who was persecuted by the Radical Left “monsters,” and “left for dead,” Trump said in the post. “He will NOT be going to jail tomorrow, but instead will have a wonderful and productive life.”
Messages seeking comment were left with Jenkins’ lawyers. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia was closed for the Memorial Day holiday.
Jenkins is the latest pardon Trump has given to loyal supporters. In April, he pardoned Nevada Republican Michele Fiore, who was awaiting sentencing on federal charges that she used money meant for a statue honoring a slain police officer for personal costs, including plastic surgery.
In January, Trump pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road, an underground website for selling drugs. Ulbricht had been sentenced to life in prison in 2015 after a high-profile prosecution that highlighted the internet’s role in illegal markets.
He also pardoned, commuted the prison sentences or vowed to dismiss the cases of all of the 1,500-plus people charged with crimes in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, including people convicted of assaulting police officers. [snip]
Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee said at the time that Jenkins violated his oath of office “and this case proves that when those officials use their authority for unjust personal enrichment, the Department of Justice will hold them accountable.” (our emphasis)
Never let it be said that the convicted felon fraudster and head of the Trump Crime Family wasn't a felon's best friend!
As far as a "weaponized" prosecution, Jenkins was found guilty by a jury of his peers (as was the Malignant Fascist). If the MF is looking for "weaponized" prosecutions by the Justice Department, he need look no further than this. Beyond the gaslighting, of course, it's all meant to let his cult members know that they can be as lawless as he is and they won't suffer any legal damage. So far, so bad.
BONUS: He pardoned a fellow tax cheat following a bribe, er, contribution.
(Photo: felonious former sheriff Jenkins in MAGAt regalia / via Threads)
🤨 Yup! This is the very first pardon for proud new DOJ Pardon Attorney Ed Martin!! Anyone who thought there was a victory for the left when Martin was removed from consideration as US Attorney for DC just wasn't paying attention to his "consolation" prize. Ed Martin has now set his sights on pardoning the convicted conspiracists in the Gretchen Whitmer kidnap/murder plot. That's what you get for your recent Trump snuggles, Gretchen! 🤬
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