UPDATE: Frederick County Sheriff Charles Jenkins pleaded not guilty after being indicted for scheme to illegally acquire machine guns. He was ordered to be released under the supervision of U.S. Pretrial Services with standard conditions, including no contact with co-defendants, surrendering all weapons, including his service weapon.
ORIGINAL STORY:
A federal grand jury has returned an indictment on Frederick County Sheriff Charles Jenkins and gun dealer Robert Krop.
The charges include conspiracy and false statements in order to acquire illegal machine guns.
Jenkins has been sheriff since his election in 2006. He was recently re-elected in in 2022.
Krop is the principal owner and operator of firearms-related businesses in Frederick County.
Krop's businesses held up two Federal Firearms Licenses that allowed him to, under certain circumstances, to possess and deal in machine guns.
The indictment alleges that from August 2015 to May 2022, Jenkins and Krop conspired to unlawfully purchase machine guns and falsified multiple documents on the Frederick County Sheriff's Office letterhead.
Court documents state that Krop allegedly drafted these documents for Jenkins' signature.
The indictment states that both Jenkins and Krop knew there would not be a demonstration of machine guns to the Sheriff's Office and that the machine guns were intended for rental to Krop's customers.
Krop's business allegedly offered political support to Jenkins for supporting his business.
Krop faces a maximum sentence of 10 years for unlawful possession of a machine gun.
A court date has not yet been scheduled.
I have been in constant communication with the DOJ and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for over a year and have been 100% cooperative throughout the course of this investigation,” said Jenkins. “At the advice of my attorney and out of respect for the justice process, I am not providing any comment at this time.
“I will continue to serve as your Sheriff as this process plays out and fully expect my deputies, correctional officers, and staff to remain the true professionals they are.”
Jenkins released the following statement on the incident:
Although he previously stated he would remain sheriff, Jenkins will be taking a leave of absence.
Delegation of Authority has been assigned to Colonel David Benjamin.
“Out of respect for the men and women of this agency and not to interfere with the effective operations, I am going to take a leave of absence, effective end of business, Friday, April 14, through the end of this judicial process,” Jenkins said. “I have full confidence in the system, and I know that my innocence will prevail at the end of all of this and that I will be found not guilty.
