Chuck Jenkins
{{Short description|American politician (born 1956)}}
{{Distinguish|Chick Jenkins}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Chuck Jenkins
| image = Chuck Jenkins (30896537568) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Jenkins in 2018
| office = Sheriff of Frederick County
| term_start = December 1, 2006
| term_end =
| predecessor = James W. Hagy
| successor =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1956|5|27}}
| birth_place = Frederick, Maryland, U.S.
| party = Republican
| spouse = Shari
| children = 2
| education =
}}
Charles Austin Jenkins{{cite press release |title=Frederick County Sheriff and Gun Dealer Indicted for Scheme to Illegally Acquire Machineguns |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/frederick-county-sheriff-and-gun-dealer-indicted-scheme-illegally-acquire-machineguns |access-date=April 12, 2025 |work=U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland |date=April 5, 2023 |language=en}} (born May 27, 1956) is an American politician who has served as the sheriff of Frederick County since 2006. A member of the Republican Party, he is the longest serving sheriff in Frederick County history.
Jenkins is part of the far-right.{{cite news |last1=Marcus |first1=Josh |title=Far-right Maryland sheriff indicted on machine gun charges had links to anti-immigrant groups, report says |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/maryland-sheriff-gun-charges-immigration-b2318051.html |access-date=April 12, 2025 |work=The Independent |date=April 11, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Gilbert |first1=David |title=Far-Right Sheriffs Want to Carry Out Donald Trump's Mass Deportations. That's Not Possible |url=https://www.wired.com/story/far-right-sheriffs-donald-trump-mass-deportations-constitutional/ |access-date=April 12, 2025 |work=Wired |date=December 17, 2024}} During his tenure as sheriff, he has been noted for his anti-immigrant views and defense of Frederick County's 287(g) program to deport arrested individuals, which he has credited with decreasing crime in the county. In April 2023, Jenkins was indicted on five counts of conspiracy and making false statements to acquire machine guns, prompting him to take a temporary leave of absence from his duties as sheriff. Federal prosecutors dropped all charges against Jenkins in November 2024, after co-defendant Robert Krop was acquitted of all charges.
{{TOCLIMIT|3}}
Early life, education, and career
Jenkins was born in Frederick, Maryland, on May 27, 1956, to father Gordon Jenkins and mother Joy Marie Jenkins.{{cite web |title=Gordon Jenkins Obituary (1933 - 2023) - Frederick, MD - The Frederick News-Post |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/fredericknewspost/name/gordon-jenkins-obituary?id=38662796 |website=Legacy.com |access-date=April 11, 2025}} He graduated from Frederick High School.{{cite web |title=Charles A. (Chuck) Jenkins, Sheriff, Frederick County, Maryland |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/36loc/fr/jud/sheriffs/html/msa14648.html |website=Maryland Manual On-Line |publisher=Maryland State Archives |access-date=April 11, 2025}}
Before entering into law enforcement, Jenkins worked for COMSAT. He has worked with the Frederick County Sheriff's Office during his entire law enforcement career, first working as a deputy sheriff in his early thirties for about three years before working in the patrol division and criminal investigations unit from 1990 to 2006.{{cite news |last1=Keller |first1=Mary Grace |title=Jenkins wants 5th term as sheriff, stands by 287(g) immigration program |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/continuing_coverage/election_coverage/jenkins-wants-5th-term-as-sheriff-stands-by-287-g-immigration-program/article_4d1184e5-bcdb-5853-ac31-0e52f65acb6c.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=July 5, 2022 |language=en}}
Frederick County Sheriff
=Elections=
==2006==
On June 2, 2006, Jenkins announced that he would run for Frederick County Sheriff, seeking to succeed Jim Hagy, who announced that he would not run for re-election to a fourth term.{{cite news |last1=Leckie |first1=Kate |title=Detective seeks sheriff's office |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/archives/detective-seeks-sheriffs-office/article_8d5f62e1-35f8-5069-af61-fc698bc62242.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=June 2, 2006 |language=en}} He won the Republican nomination with 39.4% of the vote{{cite news |last1=Leckie |first1=Kate |title=SHERIFF: Jenkins wins Republican nomination |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/archives/sheriff-jenkins-wins-republican-nomination/article_ed5c61c9-6ee6-529f-9b05-bd5f9b9c9c12.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=September 13, 2006 |language=en}} and defeated Democratic challenger Charles Tobery with 59% of the vote.{{cite news |last1=Leckie |first1=Kate |title=Jenkins victorious |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/archives/jenkins-victorious/article_3e48de6b-a259-5858-94a9-58cef5879039.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=November 8, 2006 |language=en}}
==2010==
==2014==
Jenkins was re-elected to a third term in 2014, defeating Democratic challenger Karl Bickel with 62.8% of the vote and becoming the second Frederick County Sheriff to serve three consecutive terms.{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Paige |title=Jenkins only second county sheriff to serve three consecutive terms |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/elections/jenkins-only-second-county-sheriff-to-serve-three-consecutive-terms/article_52abddbc-daf7-527c-ab6c-a9c42c2f5f35.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=November 6, 2014 |language=en}}
==2018==
Jenkins was re-elected to a fourth term in 2018, defeating Democratic challenger Karl Bickel with 51.9% of the vote.{{cite news |last1=Massey |first1=Wyatt |title=Chuck Jenkins elected to fourth term as sheriff |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/continuing_coverage/election_2018/chuck-jenkins-elected-to-fourth-term-as-sheriff/article_0371092b-6359-509f-853a-9e2cb7572a69.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=November 6, 2018 |language=en}}
==2022==
Jenkins was re-elected to a fifth term in 2022, defeating Democratic challenger Karl Bickel with 51.4% of the vote and becoming the first Frederick County Sheriff to serve for a fifth term.{{cite news |last1=Niel |first1=Clara |title=Jenkins will become first sheriff to serve fifth term in Frederick County |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/jenkins-will-become-first-sheriff-to-serve-fifth-term-in-frederick-county/article_c4d7e832-3b90-557b-96e9-ca384a317419.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=November 23, 2022 |language=en}}
=Tenure=
Jenkins was sworn in as sheriff on December 1, 2006.{{cite news |last1=Staff |first1=Kate Leckie News-Post |title=Chuck Jenkins dons sheriff's mantle |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/archives/chuck-jenkins-dons-sheriffs-mantle/article_daf4db08-58ce-519e-98f6-6f41a3b983f7.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=December 2, 2006 |language=en}} According to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), he is a member of Protect America Now and the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, two "constitutional sheriff" groups, and has participated in several CSPOA activities.{{cite web |last1=Goldwasser |first1=Rachel |title=Recently Indicted Maryland Sheriff Has Links to Constitutional Sheriff, Anti-Muslim and Anti-Immigrant Movements |url=https://www.splcenter.org/resources/hatewatch/recently-indicted-maryland-sheriff-has-links-constitutional-sheriff-anti-muslim-and-anti/ |website=Southern Poverty Law Center |access-date=April 11, 2025 |date=April 7, 2023}} Jenkins is also a member of the National Sheriffs' Association and was asked to be a member of the organization's immigration subcommittee in 2009.{{cite news |last1=Gallucci-White |first1=Gina |title=Sheriff named to immigration subcommittee |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/archive/sheriff-named-to-immigration-subcommittee/article_756e0773-b930-556b-9d03-59311ebe5728.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=March 13, 2009 |language=en}} During his tenure as sheriff, the crime rates in Frederick County declined by 50%, in line with statewide and national trends.
Jenkins opposed an executive order signed by President Barack Obama limiting the federal 1033 program, which allows police departments to receive surplus military equipment from the government, saying that he viewed the term "militarized police" as political rhetoric that unfairly castigates law enforcement. In March 2016, he purchased a Lenco BearCat for the Frederick County Police Department, saying that Sen Bernardino sheriff John McMahon convinced him to buy the vehicle after discussing the 2015 San Bernardino attack with him.{{cite news |last1=Masters |first1=Kate |title=Frederick County Sheriff's Office quickly puts new armored vehicle to use |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/crime_and_justice/cops_and_crime/frederick-county-sheriffs-office-quickly-puts-new-armored-vehicle-to-use/article_329019d2-d843-5bd9-9195-7a29a5c4cb69.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=March 1, 2017 |language=en}}
Jenkins supported Donald Trump in the 2016 United States presidential election, describing "open borders" as his top issue in the election and criticizing Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton for wanting to "resettle hundreds of thousands of unvetted refugees here".{{cite news |last1=Masters |first1=Kate |title=For local law enforcement leaders, presidential election means focus on policing, Supreme Court |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/crime_and_justice/cops_and_crime/for-local-law-enforcement-leaders-presidential-election-means-focus-on-policing-supreme-court/article_ffcf1577-b70d-5b43-b9c9-b0332896f7bb.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=November 4, 2016 |language=en}} He has falsely claimed that the 2020 United States presidential election was stolen.
During the 2014 legislative session, Jenkins opposed a bill to decriminalize marijuana, calling marijuana a "gateway drug".{{cite news |title=Frederick officials react to marijuana decriminalization bill |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/frederick-officials-react-to-marijuana-decriminalization-bill/article_85cbbedb-a180-57ad-973f-fdee5a392668.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=April 15, 2014 |language=en}} In November 2015, he opposed medical marijuana and dismissed proponents' arguments that the drug helps those with diseases and disorders, saying that he felt that the legalization of medical marijuana would eventually lead to the legalization of recreational marijuana.{{cite news |last1=Arias |first1=Jeremy |title=Local law enforcement sees pitfalls of medical marijuana businesses |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/continuing_coverage/medical_marijuana/local-law-enforcement-sees-pitfalls-of-medical-marijuana-businesses/article_1ab80c3c-6b0f-5f24-85b2-56101030f5af.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=November 5, 2015 |language=en}} In October 2022, he said he opposed Question 4, a statewide referendum on legalizing recreational marijuana in Maryland, saying that he felt that legalization would take Maryland down a "bad road" and increase impaired driving incidents.{{cite news |last1=Niel |first1=Clara |title=Updated: Local leaders reflect on how marijuana legalization could affect Maryland |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/elections/updated-local-leaders-reflect-on-how-marijuana-legalization-could-affect-maryland/article_3651d5d2-4fc9-5105-ac43-d8fa208d459f.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=October 14, 2022 |language=en}}
In March 2020, following state orders imposing restrictions on large gathering amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Jenkins urged residents to notify first responders if they have COVID-19 or suspect that they are infected with the virus. The sheriff's office also suspended most volunteer activities and fingerprinting services at the county's Law Enforcement Center,{{cite news |last1=Arias |first1=Jeremy |title=Law enforcement agencies discuss new protocols amid COVID-19 pandemic |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/continuing_coverage/coronavirus/law-enforcement-agencies-discuss-new-protocols-amid-covid-19-pandemic/article_97ee183e-df37-5e23-a5ea-98449663726d.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=March 18, 2020 |language=en}} and implemented protocols at the county's detention center to limit the spread of the virus among inmates.{{cite news |last1=Arias |first1=Jeremy |title=Courts, jails see impact of coronavirus |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/continuing_coverage/coronavirus/courts-jails-see-impact-of-coronavirus/article_dd81dd00-f467-5c5c-85bb-6fa542fa4957.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=March 21, 2020 |language=en}} In December 2021, Jenkins opposed incentivizing people to get the COVID-19 vaccine, saying that he felt that "trying to motivate someone to change their mind is absolutely wrong".{{cite news |last1=Hogan |first1=Jack |title=Data shows Frederick County government is more than 80 percent vaccinated |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/levels_of_government/county/executive/data-shows-frederick-county-government-is-more-than-80-percent-vaccinated/article_471881a3-6fbf-5bdb-b301-f8de5b9dd5b7.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=December 6, 2021 |language=en}} In March 2022, he provided police escort for the People's Convoy, a group of truckers protesting COVID-19-related mandates.{{cite news |last1=Picket |first1=Kerry |title=Maryland sheriff to provide police escort for trucker convoy |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/mar/6/maryland-sheriff-provide-police-escort-trucker-con/ |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Washington Times |date=March 6, 2022}}
In June 2020, Jenkins confronted demonstrators at a George Floyd protest outside of the Frederick Department of Public Works, where he took questions from the protest's leaders about the county police department's use of force statistics against Black and minority residents to the sheriff's policies on de-escalation and training.{{cite news |last1=Arias |first1=Jeremy |title=Protesters confront Frederick County sheriff |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/crime_and_justice/protesters-confront-frederick-county-sheriff/article_77d1f4b9-0523-5cc9-8115-90de24d3ff32.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=June 8, 2020 |language=en}} During a county council debate on police practices in November 2020, he said the way Floyd died was an "egregious, unreasonable, excessive use of force, unnecessary force", but disagreed that there was systemic racism in policing and called for increased funding for the county's police department.{{cite news |last1=Keller |first1=Mary Grace |last2=Bohnel |first2=Steve |title=County council, sheriff debate police practices |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/crime_and_justice/cops_and_crime/county-council-sheriff-debate-police-practices/article_fb6bc581-59ca-5dad-8135-44cd20e6c61d.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=November 13, 2020 |language=en}} Jenkins opposed the Police Reform and Accountability Act, a police reform bill passed in 2021 that repealed the state's Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights, regulated the types of force that police could use during arrests, and required counties to establish police accountability boards.{{cite news |last1=Keller |first1=Mary Grace |title=County sheriff, Frederick chief find fault with police reform package |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/crime_and_justice/county-sheriff-frederick-chief-find-fault-with-police-reform-package/article_a01b4355-1e7b-579e-ae09-50eb3880b389.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=May 2, 2021 |language=en}}
=Views on illegal immigration=
File:President Trump Meets with Sheriffs from Across the Country (Chuck Jenkins screenshot).png event on supporting law enforcement and fighting illegal immigration with President Donald Trump, September 2018]]
Jenkins has been noted for his anti-immigrant views,{{cite news |last1=Nichanian |first1=Daniel |last2=Madrid |first2=Manuel |title="You Never Really Felt Safe": Resistance to Far-Right Maryland Sheriff Builds in Election Lead-Up |url=https://boltsmag.org/sheriff-chuck-jenkins-and-immigration-frederick-county-maryland/ |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=Bolts Magazine |date=September 19, 2022 |language=en}} with Fox News once calling him the second-toughest sheriff on immigration in the country after Joe Arpaio.{{cite news |last1=Sanderlin |first1=Lee O. |title=A red stalwart in blue Maryland: Are these Chuck Jenkins' last days? |url=https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/politics-power/local-government/frederick-sheriff-chuck-jenkins-republican-election-G4UIJGQQAJFY3AENB7D3VULCSU/ |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Banner |date=April 11, 2025 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Moattar |first1=Daniel |title='The next Joe Arpaio': the Maryland sheriff praised by Fox and Trump |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/22/frederick-county-chuck-jenkins-donald-trump-immigration-ice |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=October 22, 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Stern |first1=Nicholas C. |title=Frederick sheriff among nation's toughest immigration law enforcers |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/archive/frederick-sheriff-among-nations-toughest-immigration-law-enforcers/article_89640825-f3b3-55e4-b013-3f221003ef9e.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=November 12, 2010 |language=en}} According to a legal brief by the American Civil Liberties Union, Jenkins has described "the immigration problem" as the nation's "single biggest threat", which he intended to solve by "shooting them right back" out of Frederick County.
Jenkins has repeatedly defended Frederick County's 287(g) program, contesting that the program contributed to a decrease in crime, denying allegations that the program has led to incidents involving racial discrimination and racial profiling,{{cite news |last1=Niel |first1=Clara |title=Sheriff Chuck Jenkins sworn in for fifth term, pledges to continue department's work |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/elections/sheriff-chuck-jenkins-sworn-in-for-fifth-term-pledges-to-continue-departments-work/article_2df350a8-1617-559c-bddf-ff626b5efaec.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=December 8, 2022 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Bienasz |first1=Gabrielle |title=ACLU files federal complaint about 287(g) program in Frederick County |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/crime_and_justice/cops_and_crime/aclu-files-federal-complaint-about-287-g-program-in-frederick-county/article_7ae44145-15eb-5bdb-8f29-0ea3270142d8.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=July 13, 2023 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Bienasz |first1=Gabrielle |title=Jenkins says Trone seeks political points by calling to end 287(g) program |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/levels_of_government/county/sheriff/jenkins-says-trone-seeks-political-points-by-calling-to-end-287-g-program/article_27abbe8b-0b72-53cb-a625-2ca4d169ec3e.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=September 12, 2023 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Keller |first1=Mary Grace |title=ACLU criticizes sheriff, other police over immigration enforcement |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/crime_and_justice/aclu-criticizes-sheriff-other-police-over-immigration-enforcement/article_2d99344e-a0bf-5935-b41e-aae53ab640a1.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=April 27, 2022 |language=en}} and rejected studies suggesting that the program led to distrust of law enforcement in the county's Hispanic community.{{cite news |last1=Loos |first1=Kelsi |title=Study of arrest rates posits that 287(g) immigration enforcement keeps Hispanics from going to the police |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/crime_and_justice/courts/study-of-arrest-rates-posits-that-287-g-immigration-enforcement-keeps-hispanics-from-going-to/article_a2357ae3-943f-53e0-b718-797a1fd6b659.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=August 14, 2017 |language=en}} The county's 287(g) program, which started in 2008, allows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to train law enforcement officers to ask the immigration status of arrested individuals and has led to the deportation of 1,795 criminals as of March 2025, according to Jenkins.
According to former Frederick County NAACP chapter chair Guy Djoken, after he and representatives from CASA de Maryland and the Maryland ACLU met with Jenkins to discuss the implementation of the 287(g) program, Jenkins played a NumbersUSA video arguing that immigration levels to the U.S. should be cut by highlighting the populations of poorer nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Jenkins confirmed that he played this video in a call with Bolts magazine, saying that he played the video to "show where we were headed as a country". In March 2009, he testified before the United States House Committee on Homeland Security that he entered into the program for national security, saying that he believed that crimes committed by illegal immigrants were "terrorism".{{cite news |last1=Stern |first1=Nicholas C. |title=Sheriff Jenkins defends immigration enforcement at congressional hearing |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/archive/sheriff-jenkins-defends-immigration-enforcement-at-congressional-hearing/article_33bf6ea4-d752-50de-9997-65a19217b4d1.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=March 5, 2009 |language=en}}
In July 2014, Jenkins traveled to the Mexico–United States border with six other elected sheriffs on a Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) trip.{{cite news |last1=Toohey |first1=Grace |title=Sheriff heading to Texas for firsthand look at border crisis |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/sheriff-heading-to-texas-for-firsthand-look-at-border-crisis/article_b0fae1c4-af18-57bf-8548-74fafb53afaa.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=July 15, 2014 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Toohey |first1=Grace |title=Sheriff's trip funded by alleged anti-immigrant hate group |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/elections/sheriffs-trip-funded-by-alleged-anti-immigrant-hate-group/article_a6723cb9-29fe-5481-aff5-28f627c50b0b.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=July 16, 2014 |language=en}} After The Frederick News-Post reported on FAIR's association with Jenkins's trip and the group's status as a SPLC-recognized hate group, he criticized News-Post for describing FAIR as a "hate group" and refused to speak to the journalist who wrote the article describing it as such.{{cite news |last1=Loos |first1=Kelsi |title=In emails, Jenkins rejects criticism of Texas trip |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/crime_and_justice/cops_and_crime/in-emails-jenkins-rejects-criticism-of-texas-trip/article_79aab34b-7c02-5d7b-97b0-5ef3c708d953.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=August 31, 2014 |language=en}} Following the trip, Jenkins decried illegal immigration into the United States as an "invasion" and called for increased manpower along the border, potentially including the National Guard or U.S. military forces. He also blamed the Mexican government and cartels for increases in immigration into the United States, arguing that cartels were pushing criminals into the country and causing families to seek refuge.{{cite news |last1=Mabeus |first1=Courtney |title=Jenkins: Without more support at the border, no county safe |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/crime_and_justice/jenkins-without-more-support-at-the-border-no-county-safe/article_d94b03c2-ad5a-5bbd-941f-ae04fa792154.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=August 21, 2014 |language=en}} At the same time, Jenkins said he recognized the humanitarian needs involved in supporting families crossing the border.{{cite news |last1=Rodgers |first1=Bethany |title=Jenkins describes 'combat zone' conditions at U.S.-Mexico border |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/crime_and_justice/cops_and_crime/jenkins-describes-combat-zone-conditions-at-u-s--mexico-border/article_21225f11-0956-5967-ae7e-4033db2534ed.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=July 25, 2014 |language=en}} FAIR and Help Save Maryland later partnered with Jenkins to set up a statewide tour promoting 287(g) programs.
During the 2017 legislative session, Jenkins testified for a bill that would require state or local correctional facilities to notify the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that an inmate is subject to an immigration detainer.{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle E. |title=In lengthy debate, opposing approaches to Maryland immigration enforcement |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/in-lengthy-debate-opposing-approaches-to-maryland-immigration-enforcement/article_0484c93b-3126-558b-8d63-ca1201ee91bd.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=February 21, 2017 |language=en}} In 2018, he supported a bills that would ban sanctuary cities and counties and require state and local detention centers to cooperate with ICE.{{cite news |last1=Loos |first1=Kelsi |title=Bills chart different courses for immigration enforcement in Maryland |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/bills-chart-different-courses-for-immigration-enforcement-in-maryland/article_42ff41e3-6e79-5375-a95a-45f1f428b7df.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=March 13, 2018 |language=en}} In December 2018, Jenkins signed onto a letter published as a full-page ad in The Washington Post calling for full funding for the Mexico–United States border wall.{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle E. |title=Frederick County Sheriff Joins Call for Border Wall Funding as Shutdown Looms |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2018/12/18/frederick-county-sheriff-joins-call-for-border-wall-funding-as-shutdown-looms/ |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=Maryland Matters |date=December 18, 2018}}
In August 2019, Jenkins expressed "disappointment" with Frederick County executive Jan Gardner's decision to audit the county's 287(g) program, saying that he felt the audit showed that "the county executive and council don't trust my management authority".{{cite news |last1=Bohnel |first1=Steve |title=County to launch audit into sheriff's office participation in 287(g) program |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/levels_of_government/county/council/county-to-launch-audit-into-sheriffs-office-participation-in-287-g-program/article_e6c6918f-5cd9-577c-84ca-9b2241348f26.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=August 5, 2019 |language=en}} The audit published its final report in July 2020, which showed that the program only cost the county less than $22,000 a year;{{cite news |last1=Bohnel |first1=Steve |title=287(g) audit shows program costs sheriff's office no more than $21,400 annually |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/levels_of_government/county/sheriff/287-g-audit-shows-program-costs-sheriffs-office-no-more-than-21-400-annually/article_927f8e03-6fdd-5ae0-a532-ba0d459fef16.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=July 16, 2020 |language=en}} Jenkins accepted the audit as accurate, but called the report a waste of time.{{cite news |last1=Bohnel |first1=Steve |title=Council acknowledges 287(g) audit as accurate, says it has no power to end agreement |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/levels_of_government/county/council/council-acknowledges-287-g-audit-as-accurate-says-it-has-no-power-to-end-agreement/article_8f58f055-f030-5209-ba81-e1421281e3f4.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=July 22, 2020 |language=en}}
During the 2021 legislative session, Jenkins opposed the Dignity Not Detention Act, which would prohibit counties from contracting with ICE to detain undocumented immigrants in county jails, saying that it would end the county's 287(g) agreement.{{cite news |last1=Bohnel |first1=Steve |title=Jenkins denounces bill that would end 287(g) program in Maryland |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/levels_of_government/county/sheriff/jenkins-denounces-bill-that-would-end-287-g-program-in-maryland/article_3bc4f5c3-20d5-5959-b942-0640df17cae4.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=March 26, 2021 |language=en}} Vaughn Stewart, the bill's sponsor, and the Attorney General of Maryland both said that the bill would not end the 287(g) agreement and would only prohibit jurisdictions from receiving any money for housing individuals in an immigration detention center.{{cite news |last1=Bohnel |first1=Steve |title=Bill sponsor, AG letter: detention center bill wouldn't end 287(g) |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/levels_of_government/state/delegates/bill-sponsor-ag-letter-detention-center-bill-wouldnt-end-287-g/article_49126882-085c-5475-9c9f-fb5113991023.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=March 27, 2021 |language=en}} After the Maryland General Assembly voted to override Governor Larry Hogan's veto on the bill in December 2021, Jenkins said that the bill would not impact operations at Frederick County's detention center, which ceased detaining individual awaiting an immigration hearing in March 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news |last1=Hogan |first1=Jack |title=New state law ends Frederick County's immigrant detention agreement with ICE |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/levels_of_government/state/new-state-law-ends-frederick-countys-immigrant-detention-agreement-with-ice/article_40ddf5b4-b724-57f3-b973-e6a8d7b6cc73.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=December 10, 2021 |language=en}}
In October 2024, during a vigil for victims of the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel, Jenkins likened undocumented immigrants to Hamas and suggested that there were terrorist groups waiting for do similar violence in the United States.
In December 2024, after Donald Trump won re-election in the 2024 United States presidential election, Jenkins said that his office would support Trump's deportation plan and hoped that Trump would bring back the "Task Force Model" policy of ICE's 287(g) program.{{cite news |last1=Kazanjian |first1=Glynis |title=Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins vows to support Trump's mass deportation plan |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2024/12/11/frederick-county-sheriff-chuck-jenkins-vows-to-support-trumps-mass-deportation-plan/ |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=December 11, 2024}} During the 2025 legislative session, he testified against the Maryland Values Act, which would prohibit counties from entering into 287(g) agreements with ICE.{{cite news |last1=Ford |first1=William J. |title=Sheriffs defend cooperation with federal officials on immigration enforcement |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2025/03/28/sheriffs-defend-cooperation-with-federal-immigration-officials-on-enforcement/ |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 28, 2025}}
=Federal indictment=
In April 2023, Jenkins and local firearms business owner Robert Krop were indicted by a federal grand jury on five counts of conspiracy and making false statements to acquire machine guns, alleging that Jenkins—on five different occasions from August 2015 to May 2022—signed letters to help Krop obtain machine guns to rent out to the public under the guise that the Frederick County Sheriff's Office wanted to see a demonstration of the guns. The indictments also alleged that Krop's business "offered political support to Jenkins" in exchange for the demonstration letters, though Maryland State Campaign Finance records show no campaign contributions from Krop or his business to Jenkins's campaign. Jenkins refused to resign following the indictment, adding that he was cooperating with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives throughout their investigation,{{cite news |last1=Niel |first1=Clara |title=Updated: Sheriff Jenkins, firearms business owner indicted on gun charges |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/crime_and_justice/cops_and_crime/updated-sheriff-jenkins-firearms-business-owner-indicted-on-gun-charges/article_ca6e6c5e-538e-554f-889a-0c5015f568af.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=April 5, 2023 |language=en}} but did take a temporary leave of absence while facing federal charges.{{cite news |last1=Niel |first1=Clara |last2=Gartner |first2=Emmett |title=Updated: Sheriff Jenkins to take leave of absence while facing federal charges |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/levels_of_government/county/sheriff/updated-sheriff-jenkins-to-take-leave-of-absence-while-facing-federal-charges/article_44933434-bee6-5e8e-96a5-d36c8c8eff46.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=April 12, 2023 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Niel |first1=Clara |title=Updated: Sheriff Jenkins ending leave of absence, returning to full duty |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/crime_and_justice/cops_and_crime/updated-sheriff-jenkins-ending-leave-of-absence-returning-to-full-duty/article_67b20e7f-09f5-5ad3-bd14-ee032bb31a8b.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=August 28, 2023 |language=en}}
Jenkins's attorneys claimed that he was deceived by Krop into providing him with demonstration letters and did not benefit from the alleged conspiracy, denied any evidence of a quid pro quo,{{cite news |last1=Niel |first1=Clara |title=Jenkins' court filing says no 'quid pro quo' to support machine gun purchase |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/crime_and_justice/courts/jenkins-court-filing-says-no-quid-pro-quo-to-support-machine-gun-purchase/article_c113e568-64ab-578f-93f1-9256a9735c1c.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=May 31, 2023 |language=en}} and said that Jenkins "regretted" signing the demonstration letters that allowed Krop to obtain machine guns.{{cite news |last1=Niel |first1=Clara |title=DOJ filing says Jenkins 'regretted' signing a machine gun letter |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/crime_and_justice/courts/doj-filing-says-jenkins-regretted-signing-a-machine-gun-letter/article_b3e1cedd-ba10-5a31-a835-22a2ea03892b.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=June 15, 2023 |language=en}} Jenkins also filed to have his case tried separately from Krop's, arguing that his attorney, Dan Cox, was using "dangerous" legal strategies that would prejudice a jury against both of them,{{cite news |last1=Atelsek |first1=Jillian |title=Jenkins implores judge to be tried separately from Krop, calls Cox's legal strategy "dangerous" |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/crime_and_justice/cops_and_crime/jenkins-implores-judge-to-be-tried-separately-from-krop-calls-coxs-legal-strategy-dangerous/article_80c014d2-1408-501e-9587-d57070727b63.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=June 30, 2023 |language=en}} which was granted in August 2023.{{cite news |last1=Niel |first1=Clara |title=Judge orders separate trials for Jenkins, Krop |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/crime_and_justice/courts/judge-orders-separate-trials-for-jenkins-krop/article_5e8d1b50-1da6-5ecf-a216-4b4eaa700f78.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=August 31, 2023 |language=en}}
Jenkins's trial was set to begin on January 27, 2025.{{cite news |last1=Jacoby |first1=Ceoli |title=Federal judge orders prosecution update in case against Jenkins |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/continuing_coverage/machine_gun_trial/federal-judge-orders-prosecution-update-in-case-against-jenkins/article_95e5ddcb-6e22-5ff9-99d2-13cda4d7919d.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=October 30, 2024 |language=en}} However, after Krop was acquitted on all counts in his machine gun conspiracy case in October 2024,{{cite news |last1=Jacoby |first1=Ceoli |title=Updated: Robert Krop, owner of The Machine Gun Nest, acquitted on all counts |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/continuing_coverage/machine_gun_trial/updated-robert-krop-owner-of-the-machine-gun-nest-acquitted-on-all-counts/article_e087f28e-1c6a-5a12-99d7-92c3869ebad9.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=October 22, 2024 |language=en}} federal prosecutors dropped all charges against Jenkins. Jenkins compared his indictment to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Pennsylvania and accused the Department of Justice of trying to "ruin my reputation as sheriff" and "punish and financially destroy me, knowing very well I committed no crimes".{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle E. |title=Federal prosecutors drop gun conspiracy charges against Frederick County sheriff |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2024/11/12/federal-prosecutors-to-drop-charges-against-frederick-county-sheriff/ |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=Maryland Matters |date=November 12, 2024}} In April 2025, he told The Baltimore Banner that he believes the federal charges were brought against him after he posed for a picture with U.S. representative Lauren Boebert, who was wearing a dress printed with "Let's Go Brandon", at Mar-a-Lago.
Personal life
Jenkins met his future wife, Shari,{{cite news |last1=Anthony |first1=Cara R. |title=Frederick County Sheriff candidate Charles A. "Chuck" Jenkins |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/elections/frederick-county-sheriff-candidate-charles-a-chuck-jenkins/article_a4797632-219e-5ea7-b75b-eb24ae337067.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=May 12, 2014 |language=en}} while taking an emergency medical technician (EMT) test. He is married and has two children, a son and a daughter.{{cite news |last1=Masters |first1=Kate |title=Beyond the Ballot: Chuck Jenkins |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/elections/beyond-the-ballot-chuck-jenkins/article_d4582053-70fd-53db-9efe-86aa080950d8.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=December 5, 2018 |language=en}} He lives in Lewistown, Maryland.
Electoral history
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Frederick County Sheriff Republican primary election, 2006{{cite web |title=Frederick County Gubernatorial Primary Election Summary Report |url=https://frederickcountymd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2395/2006PrimaryOfficialFinal-Results?bidId= |website=frederickcounty.gov |publisher=Frederick County Board of Elections |access-date=December 27, 2022 |date=September 12, 2006}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Chuck Jenkins
|votes = 6,256
|percentage = 39.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Harold L. Domer Jr.
|votes = 5,271
|percentage = 33.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = William Folden
|votes = 3,360
|percentage = 21.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Thomas Johann
|votes = 995
|percentage = 6.3
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Frederick County Sheriff election, 2006{{cite web |title=Frederick County, Maryland - General Election Returns 2006 |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/36loc/fr/elect/general/fr2006.html |website=Maryland Manual On-Line |publisher=Maryland State Archives |access-date=April 11, 2025}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Chuck Jenkins
|votes = 41,710
|percentage = 59.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Chuck Tobery
|votes = 28,547
|percentage = 40.6
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Frederick County Sheriff election, 2010{{cite web |title=2010 General Election Results |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2010/results/General/gen_results_2010_2_by_county_110.html |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=April 11, 2025}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Chuck Jenkins (incumbent)
|votes = 56,479
|percentage = 98.2
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
|votes = 1,028
|percentage = 1.8
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Frederick County Sheriff election, 2014{{cite web |title=2014 General Election Results |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/results/General/gen_results_2014_2_by_county_110.html |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=April 11, 2025}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Chuck Jenkins (incumbent)
|votes = 49,016
|percentage = 62.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Karl Bickel
|votes = 28,931
|percentage = 37.1
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
|votes = 113
|percentage = 0.1
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Frederick County Sheriff election, 2018{{cite web |title=2018 General Election Results |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/general/gen_results_2018_2_by_county_11-1.html |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=April 11, 2025}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Chuck Jenkins (incumbent)
|votes = 54,677
|percentage = 51.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Karl Bickel
|votes = 50,540
|percentage = 48.0
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
|votes = 76
|percentage = 0.1
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Frederick County Sheriff election, 2022{{cite web |title=2022 General Election Results |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/general_results/gen_results_2022_by_county_11.html |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=April 11, 2025}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Chuck Jenkins (incumbent)
|votes = 54,034
|percentage = 51.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Karl Bickel
|votes = 51,084
|percentage = 48.6
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
|votes = 110
|percentage = 0.1
}}
{{Election box end}}
References
{{reflist}}
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{{s-civ}}
{{s-bef|before=James W. Hagy}}
{{s-ttl|title=Sheriff of Frederick County|years=2006–present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jenkins, Chuck}}
Category:21st-century American far-right politicians
Category:21st-century Maryland politicians
Category:American deputy sheriffs
Category:Anti-immigration activists