Virginia Sheriff Accused of Issuing Deputy Badges In Exchange of Cash Bribes for Reelection Campaign

Scott Howard Jenkins was accused of exchanging law enforcement badges and credentials for bribery in cash. Reports say the money Jenkins will be able to collect was intended to fund his reelection campaign.

An indictment for Sheriff Scott Howard Jenkins, 51, of Culpeper County claims that since April 2019, the Virginia sheriff’s officer had been accepting bribery in cash and campaign contributions totaling to almost $72,500.

According to Beech, the bribery was solicited from Rick Tariq Rahim, 55, James Metcalf, 60, Fredric Gumbinner, 64, and at least five other individuals, including two undercover FBI agents. Reports say in exchange, the Virginia sheriff appointed them with a sworn law enforcement position, as auxiliary deputy sheriffs, and issued the Sheriff’s Office badges and identification cards to them.

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Charges Faced by Virginia Sheriff

According to Tanyos, the indictment for the Virginia sheriff’s officer was disclosed on January 29 where Jenkins faced federal conspiracy and fraud charges. Reportedly, Jenkins was charged with eight counts of federal programs bribery, four counts of honest-services mail and wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy.

Along with Jenkins, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia states that Rahim, Metcalf, and Gumbinner also faced the same charges as the Virginia sheriff. Reportedly, Rahim was charged with three counts of federal programs bribery, three counts of honest-services mail and wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy. On the other hand, both Metcalf and Gumbinner are charged with two counts of federal programs bribery and one count each of honest-services wire fraud and conspiracy.

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