Sheriff’s candidate feeling the heat

Liz Mitchell / Culpeper Star Exponent
Published: August 11, 2007

It's unclear if Jenkins' accusations prompted CPD investigation of him

Sgt. Scott Jenkins is under an internal investigation by the Culpeper Police Department after a bold presentation at his political forum last week where he named a sheriff's deputy he says was involved in felonious sexual acts with a minor.

The allegation stems from Jenkins' 2004 report to the Virginia Attorney General's Office in which he filed complaints against Culpeper County Sheriff H. Lee Hart and his office.

Jenkins, who works in the CPD's Criminal Investigations Division, is running for sheriff in the November election. Hart is not seeking another term.

At his Aug. 3 "Pizza and Politics" campaign forum, Jenkins devoted his monthly public meeting to the state investigation of the Culpeper County Sheriff's Office, its timing and two specific allegations.

His purpose, he said, was to "clear the air," on the investigation's timing in an election year, three years after the original complaint.

"It's put me in a position where, as reserved as I've tried to be," Jenkins said, "it's opened me up for a lot of attack from my opponent and from other people on my opponent's side basically saying it is nothing but a smokescreen and politically motivated.

I'm tired of those statements being made, because they are not true."

Jenkins said he does not plan to publicly show the PowerPoint presentation again.

He showed it to the Star-Exponent Wednesday evening.
The presentation focused on two accusations against Hart and his office:

1. In 2002, Jenkins said, Hart purchased a county-owned Sig Sauer Model 229 pistol for about one-third of its original $700 price; the Sheriff's Office had purchased the gun one year earlier. Jenkins said Hart carried the gun on his duty belt and that the county never authorized the sale. His presentation showed documents supporting the sale with a serial number and transaction record from Snooky's Sporting Goods.

2. In April 2004, Jenkins said, an investigator complained of a sexual relationship between a patrol deputy and a 17-year-old girl who was in the deputy's care as a law enforcement explorer - a program designed to give teenagers an idea of what law enforcement entails. Jenkins said he discussed the allegation with a captain, who said he and the sheriff were aware but no internal affairs investigation would be conducted.

At the political forum, Jenkins named this deputy and showed his picture to the crowd of between 70 and 100 people. (Editor's note: The Star-Exponent has chosen not to identify the deputy because no formal charges have been placed.)

On one of his presentation slides, it states: "The child on which Dep. (name withheld) preyed and perpetrated felonious sexual acts has since become an adult. Despite this fact, laws are put in place to protect our society. Police officers are not above the law. He must be held accountable."

The audience gasped, Jenkins said, when he told them this deputy is still an employee with the Sheriff's Office and was promoted to corporal around the same time he made the complaint.

In a later slide, Jenkins also states: "In today's society, we simply do not accept sexual predatory behavior from adults who are entrusted to the safety and security of our children."

Ready for the backlash

Jenkins says he is aware of the legal implications that could arise from tarnishing someone's reputation in a public atmosphere. But his defense, he says, is the truth. He welcomes any legal challenges and would take a polygraph test from anyone in the state.

"I don't shy away from anything I've said," Jenkins said. "I'm not going to back away from it. And there is a whole lot more that I could have said that I haven't yet. But I say 'yet.' It doesn't mean I can't if I'm pushed, and I don't want to because what I said was true."

A source close to the proceedings revealed the Police Department's internal investigation of Jenkins, a fact Jenkins confirmed during Wednesday's lengthy interview.

He said the internal investigation began Monday but would not elaborate on its nature or who authorized it. At this time, it is unclear if the investigation is a direct result of Jenkins' presentation or if other factors are involved. Jenkins did say, however, that he would comment in the coming days.

He concedes that certain people inside the Sheriff's Office were upset by the presentation, but "I still stand behind it all. I don't back away from it one bit."

Police chief's reaction
Culpeper Police Chief Scott Barlow said he could not comment on internal investigations. He did not attend Jenkins' political forum but was made aware of what was said.

"As long as he is acting as a private citizen, we don't get involved in someone's political activity," Barlow said. "I always expect officers that work for the Police Department to be professional and accurate in anything they say, regardless of who they are."

Jenkins was taken off the task of public information officer a few weeks ago, but Barlow said the reassignment had nothing to do with Jenkins' political ambitions. Rather, it was more appropriate for the investigations commander to release press information, Barlow said.

On the issue as a whole, Barlow said he is looking forward to November when elections are over.

"All I can tell you is people's First Amendment rights are protected," he said. "If people make comments, hopefully the voters will decide how to look at things; it's not for me to comment on."

Hart responds
Sheriff Hart, however, said Jenkins' mention of allegations in an ongoing investigation was inappropriate, unprofessional and indicative of his character.

"I'm very disappointed in Mr. Jenkins," Hart said. "You've got an individual, a professional law enforcement officer whose name was mentioned. The individual isn't even charged and convicted.

"I've been in this business 34 years, and I think that's the lowest. And I don't think the citizens of Culpeper County, unless I'm completely mistaken and out of touch, want to see anyone in law enforcement conduct themselves like that."

Major Jim Branch, Jenkins' opponent in the sheriff's race and Hart's No. 2 in command, did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Liz Mitchell can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 110 or