Whitesburg, KY — In a chilling revelation, the late District Court Judge Kevin Mullins is now accused of orchestrating a disturbing scheme involving sexual favors in exchange for legal leniency, according to a new accuser, Tya Adams. The claims shed light on the dark underbelly of rural Kentucky’s judicial and law enforcement system, with Adams detailing a pattern of sex parties involving Mullins and his associates.
Allegations of a Sinister Scheme
Adams, who spoke exclusively to NewsNation, claimed that Mullins used his power as a judge to demand sexual favors from women in exchange for money or legal leniency. She said she would attend sex parties organized by Mullins and his friends in the small town of Whitesburg. The judge, Adams said, warned her to keep the activities quiet.
“They would make sure to make you feel as small and degraded and belittled as possible to take your power away,” Adams recalled. “It was consensual. But it was the thing that we were so young, and then they used it against us and to destroy our lives later.”
Adams further explained the widespread nature of the arrangement, stating that the town had a culture of secrecy where no one would believe the truth because “the whole town was doing it.” She described the atmosphere as one where “it was just so normal”, with all involved parties treating it as a “big party.”
While it is unclear whether Adams had a criminal background or if Child Protective Services (CPS) had previous contact with her, her testimony paints a picture of a deeply entrenched, systematic abuse of power.
A Brothel Within the Jail
Another former county official, Sarah Davis, a former deputy at the Letcher County jail, also corroborated the disturbing nature of Mullins’ alleged network. Davis confirmed that “everybody in the county knows” about the illicit activities that took place, including at the local jail, which she described as a “brothel” where staff members engaged in sexual encounters with each other and inmates.
Davis herself was invited to a sex party by Mullins but chose to decline. “I was raised better than that,” she said, expressing disgust at the situation she witnessed.
Despite the depravity she witnessed, Davis noted that “the stories I heard were nasty and sickening.”
Mullins’ Shocking Death
The allegations come in the wake of Mullins’ tragic death on September 19, 2024, when he was gunned down inside his chambers in what police have called a murder. The suspect in the killing is Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, a longtime friend and colleague of Mullins. Stines has been charged with first-degree murder and has pleaded not guilty.
The Shooting Incident
According to police, Stines shot Mullins while the judge was seated at his desk, and disturbing video footage of the incident shows that Stines continued to fire at Mullins after he fell to the floor. Kentucky State Police Det. Clayton Stamper testified at the preliminary hearing that Stines attempted to call his daughter from both his phone and Mullins’ phone after the shooting. Stines’ daughter was stored in Mullins’ contacts, a detail that adds another layer of intrigue to the case.
A Pattern of Corruption
The shocking accusations against Mullins, combined with his violent death, reveal a disturbing pattern of corruption and exploitation within the small community. Mullins’ alleged use of sexual favors to secure legal outcomes reflects a deeply flawed justice system in which those in power exploited vulnerable individuals for personal gain.
These allegations, along with the tragic circumstances surrounding Mullins’ death, have left the community and law enforcement officials reeling, and many are questioning the integrity of the local justice system.
