VA Sheriff Gave Out Badges In Exchange For Cash Bribes: Feds

CULPEPER COUNTY, VA — A Virginia county sheriff is facing federal charges after authorities said he gave several people badges and law enforcement credentials in exchange for cash bribes and campaign contributions.

Culpeper County Sheriff Scott H. Jenkins, 51, of Culpeper, is accused of accepting bribes totaling at least $72,500, according to a federal indictment unsealed this week.

Authorities said he accepted cash from several people, including Rick Tariq Rahim, 55, of Great Falls; Fredric Gumbinner, 64, of Fairfax; James Metcalf, 60, of Manassas; and at least five others, including two FBI undercover agents.

In exchange for the cash, authorities said Jenkins appointed each an auxiliary deputy sheriff — a sworn law enforcement position — and issued them Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office badges and identification cards. Authorities said Jenkins told them the credentials authorized them to carry concealed firearms in all 50 states without a permit.

According to the indictment, Jenkins is charged with one count of conspiracy, four counts of honest-services mail and wire fraud, and eight counts of federal programs bribery.

Rahim, Gumbinner, and Metcalf are also charged with conspiracy, honest-services mail and wire fraud, and federal programs bribery.

If convicted on all counts, each faces a maximum of 35 years in prison.