In the quiet town of Whitesburg, Kentucky, a shocking story has been unraveling for months—one that exposes a disturbing web of alleged sexual misconduct, corruption, and abuse of power inside the local judicial system.
At the center of it all is the late Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins, who was fatally shot in his chambers in September 2024, and the man accused of killing him, Sheriff Shawn M. “Mickey” Stines.
Since that tragic day, chilling claims have emerged about the judge’s conduct—allegations so serious that they paint a portrait of exploitation that went far beyond the courthouse walls.
Alleged Sex Ring in Judge Mullins’ Chambers
Multiple witnesses now describe Mullins’ chambers as a place of coercion and abuse.
Tya Adams, one of the women who came forward, says she first met Mullins when he served as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney.
“He started introducing me to his friends,” Adams told NewsNation. “We would do sex parties, perform shows, and have sex with them for money. Things like that.”
Adams explained that fear kept her silent: the threat of the legal system, Child Protective Services, and the sheer power Mullins held over her life left her feeling trapped.
“They made you feel as small and degraded as possible,” she said.
“It was consensual, but we were so young, and they used it against us to destroy our lives later.”
The Culture of Silence and Intimidation
According to Adams, Mullins and other court-connected figures actively warned her not to speak out.
“That was just a given,” she said. “And who would believe it anyway? The whole town was doing it. Nobody cares.
They’re all swingers. It’s all a big party to them. It was just normal.”
Even former deputy jailer Sarah Davis confirmed that rumors of sexual misconduct had long circulated.
“Pretty much everybody in the county knows,” Davis said. “It was confirmed to me after working in the county jail, especially after being invited to a party myself.”
Allegations Extend Beyond One Woman
Adams’ story is not an isolated case. She claims hundreds of people—including men, women, and children in trouble with the law—were allegedly coerced into Mullins’ chambers.
“I’ve had sex with him in the chambers,” Adams said.
“It happened while I was in jail and after living on the streets. I was part of it. I was one of them.”
The Day of the Shooting
On September 19, 2024, Mullins and Stines were seen having lunch together at the popular Streetside Grill & Bar.
Just hours later, Stines entered Mullins’ chambers, allegedly shooting him eight times in a private confrontation.
Surveillance video captured the tense moments leading up to the shooting, leaving the town reeling.
Additional Evidence Emerges
In the months following the shooting, audio recordings revealed a wider network of alleged abuse.
Sabrina Adkins, a victim of deputy Ben Fields, claimed in police interviews that she witnessed sexual activity inside Mullins’ chambers.
“I seen Judge Mullins having sex with a girl… in his office,” she said.
Adkins also alleged that Fields had videotaped sexual activity in the chambers and that other high-ranking officials may have been involved in the coercion.
A 2022 federal lawsuit described how Adkins was forced into sexual acts to avoid jail, with Stines allegedly failing to supervise Fields properly.
Adkins’ attorney, Ned Pillersdorf, told NewsNation: “It’s like they were running a brothel out of that courtroom.”
Inmates and Guards Speak Out
Davis described how some inmates were manipulated or rewarded for participation in illicit acts.
“If they were sleeping with the guard, it was mostly for cigarettes, time out of cell, commissary,” she explained.
“Once Mullins was shot, I knew everything was going to come out. A lot of the corruption was going to come out.”
Adams believes the alleged sex ring endured because it was protected by powerful figures.
“I don’t want our kids to have to grow up in this town like we did,” she said.
“Once they get their hooks in you, they never let you go. They control your life.”
Sheriff Stines’ Arrest and Ongoing Investigation
Stines admitted to shooting Mullins but pleaded not guilty to murder, claiming it was a crime of passion and should be considered manslaughter.
Video shows him aiming a gun at Mullins as he cowered behind his desk, though his lawyers insist it was not premeditated.
Investigators are exploring possible motives, including the theory that Stines discovered Mullins had contacted his daughter.
For now, Stines remains in custody without bond, and the trial date is uncertain as prosecutors continue the discovery process.
A Town Grappling with the Aftermath
Whitesburg remains a town shaken by allegations of sex, corruption, and abuse of authority.
While the courtroom doors have closed on Mullins’ life, the shadow of his alleged actions—and the systemic issues they reveal—continues to cast a long, troubling shadow over the community.
