Former Virginia Sheriff Convicted of Conspiracy and Fraud

Former Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Howard Jenkins - Internet Archive / CPD

Posted By: tracyleicher January 4, 2025

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A former Culpeper County sheriff has been found guilty of accepting more than $75,000 in bribes in exchange for granting civilians appointments as auxiliary deputies

According to a media release from the US Department of Justice, Scott Howard Jenkins was convicted by a jury on December 18, 2024.

According to evidence presented at trial, 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.

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.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is scheduled for March 31, 2025.

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

After serving as sheriff for 12 years, allegations of wrongdoing ultimately cost Jenkins his role as sheriff. In the 2023 election, he lost to longtime Culpeper Police Department Deputy Chief Tim Chilton.