Culpeper sheriff pleads not guilty for second time in badge bribery case

He entered the plea Monday by correspondence with defense attorney Philip Andonian.

Jenkins waived his right to appear in open court for a new arraignment on a superseding indictment returned in the case on June 12. An in-person arraignment scheduled for next Tuesday at the Western District of Virginia courthouse in Charlottesville was canceled.

Jenkins is charged with conspiracy, four counts of mail and wire fraud and seven counts of federal program bribery, according to the superseding indictment. It alleges the former three-term sheriff accepted at least $75,000 in bribes from three named co-defendants and others in exchange for surrendering badges and firearms and their swearing in as auxiliary deputies.

Jenkins used the powers of his office to enrich himself and obtain funds for his re-election, according to the indictment.

Jenkins concealed the alleged scheme by encouraging the payment of bribes in cash or to others rather than directly to him, and by disguising the bribes as firearm purchases, according to the act of accusation. The former sheriff further created false documents for these alleged purposes, according to the indictment.

Jenkins is also accused of telling those he swore in as auxiliary deputies that their status allowed them to carry a concealed firearm in any state without a permit.

The former sheriff failed to ensure that the people he appointed as assistants met the training requirements set forth in his own general order, the indictment says.

Additionally, the former sheriff “pressured and advised other public officials to process and approve” a co-defendant’s petition to have his gun rights restored, even though that co-defendant did not live in Culpeper and was not eligible to own a firearm, the indictment continues.

“Jenkins was elected sheriff of Culpeper County, Virginia, in 2011. … As sheriff, Jenkins led the Culpeper County Sheriff's Office. … He had a duty to provide honest service to Culpeper County and its residents,” according to the indictment.

Jenkins will be tried on these charges in a trial scheduled for November 12-22.

All three co-defendants pleaded guilty in this case.