A jury of 12 women and three men, including three alternates, was seated Wednesday in the federal criminal trial of Scott Jenkins, who is accused of running a badges-for-bribes scheme during his tenure as Culpeper County sheriff.
An estimated 70 people were called to potentially sit on the jury.
The U.S. government has charged Jenkins, who served three terms as sheriff, with accepting at least $70,000 in bribes from various businessmen, and undercover FBI agents, in exchange for deputizing them. The men received credentials, badges and equipment without proper training or documentation and bribes were paid in envelopes full of cash at the sheriff’s office, according to federal prosecutors.
Jenkins has maintained his innocence.
Prosecutors offered Jenkins a plea deal back in May, but that was declined, according to testimony in court Wednesday.
“It’s his decision to go to trial,” said U.S. District Court Judge Robert Ballou.
“Mr. Jenkins starts this trial with a clean slate,” the judge said, instructing the jury that the defendant is innocent until proven guilty and the burden of proof is on the prosecution. Jenkins is not required to testify on his behalf, Ballou said.
The prosecution and defense spent more than six hours questioning prospective jurors together and separately.
“We want you, the regular people, to be the deciders of facts in the case,” said U.S. Attorney Lina Peng.
At least half a dozen potential jurors said they knew of Jenkins, including a few from Culpeper. One woman not selected for the jury said she served on a local government committee with the ex-sheriff, and another said she worked with his aunt in a local government office, calling Jenkins “a political pawn.”
“When people express political views, it appears they are targeted,” the woman said.
She added Jenkins was “making a name for himself taking care of illegals in the community, taking care of guns and drugs coming in.”
“It felt like a down-home country boy being targeted for his views,” she said.
Another Culpeper resident, who was not chosen to sit on the jury, said she voted for Jenkins and that his indictment was big news for the community.
“They blasted it all over Culpeper County,” she said.
More than half a dozen prospective jurors said they distrusted the U.S. Department of Justice, which is prosecuting the case, and the FBI, which led the investigation into Jenkins.
Several mentioned gun control and gun rights and political motivations while they were questioned.
One prospective juror said they felt the FBI was trying to frame Jenkins. Someone else said they didn’t particularly trust the FBI before calling Jenkins “a stand-up guy.”
At least one prospective juror defended the DOJ and FBI. “It’s a response to the current climate that these organizations have come under fire — I think unfairly so,” they said.
Someone else told the court most politicians are in it for personal financial gain.
Multiple prospective jurors said they had read or seen media accounts about the case and several already felt the defendant was guilty of the bribery and fraud charges of which he is accused.
Jenkins was indicted in June 2023 and lost election to a fourth term later that November.
The former sheriff’s trial has been delayed after he missed what was supposed to be the first two days in court roughly a month ago. Jenkins told the court he had suffered from anxiety attacks that had left him hospitalized.
In court Wednesday, Jenkins was alert and oriented, interacting frequently with his attorneys during the lengthy jury selection process.
The trial is slated to start at 9 a.m. every day and conclude by Dec. 20.
Source: www.dailyprogress.com
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