CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A former Culpeper County sheriff has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for bribery.

According to a December, 2024 media release from the US Department of Justice, Scott Howard Jenkins was found guilty of accepting more than $75,000 in bribes.

Jenkins, 53, accepted cash bribes and bribes in the form of 2023 campaign contributions from several co-defendants and at least five others — including two undercover FBI agents.

In return, Jenkins appointed each of the subjects as auxiliary deputy sheriffs — roles that are sworn law-enforcement positions. He also issued them official Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) badges and credentials.

Not only were these “auxiliary deputies” not trained or vetted, but they also did not provide any legitimate services to the CCSO.

One of the appointees, Rick Rahim, was a convicted felon who filed a petition in Culpeper County Circuit Court to restore his right to possess a firearm. The petition also falsely stated that Rahim resided in Culpeper County. Sheriff Jenkins proceeded to pressure local officials to approve the petition.

On December 18, 2024, Jenkins was convicted of one count of conspiracy, four counts of honest services fraud, and seven counts of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds.

On March 21, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Virginia announced that Jenkins’ sentence would be 10 years in federal prison.

“We hold our elected law enforcement officials to a higher standard of conduct and this case proves that when those officials use their authority for unjust personal enrichment, the Department of Justice will hold them accountable,” acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee said on Friday. I am grateful to the FBI for their tireless work on this investigation.”

The co-defendants all previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the bribery scheme and will be sentenced at a later date.

The current Culpeper County sheriff is former Culpeper Police Department Deputy Chief Tim Chilton.