Federal prosecutors are dismissing the machine gun conspiracy case against Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins, weeks after a jury acquitted his co-defendant.

Grand jury indictment returned against five-term sheriff in April 2023. Federal prosecutors say Jenkins used his position to improperly help gun store owner Robert Krop acquire machine guns to rent to the public by signing letters saying the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office wanted to see a demonstration of the weapons. , which was false.

Machine Gun Nest made more than $100,000 in profits from renting machine guns in 2018 and 2019, according to the indictment.

Jenkins initially took a leave of absence after the indictment, but later returned to work. Krop was acquitted on October 22. His attorney, Dan Cox, told the Frederick News-Post that “from the beginning, the evidence showed that there were no definitions by which (the government) was prosecuting my client.”

Prosecutors and Jenkins’ lawyers wanted Krop to be tried first, saying the case against him was stronger. Prosecutors noted there was a “clear possibility” they would drop charges against Jenkins if Krop were acquitted.

Jenkins’ lawyers said he received nothing of value by signing the letters and had no intention of committing a violation of the law. They said he tried to meet with federal prosecutors and was rebuffed.

“In this case, the defendant admits and acknowledges that he was negligent. Negligence is not criminal guilt,” they wrote in a document.

When Jenkins, a Republican, reversed his decision to take a leave of absence, county leaders criticized him. County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, a Democrat, said in a statement that she was “disappointed that he went back on his word,” while County Council Vice President Kavonté Duckett, also a Democrat, said Jenkins “mocked the process”.

In an interview with a local radio station, Jenkins called the case “my cancer.” This is my illness. “I’m fighting for my life.”

This article will be updated.