Kentucky Sheriff Pleads Not Guilty to Judge’s Murder

A quiet Kentucky courtroom became the stage for a murder that has since unraveled allegations of a depraved conspiracy, shaking a small Appalachian community to its core. The killing of a respected judge by a longtime friend and local sheriff has spiraled into a scandal involving claims of coercion, sex parties, and a systemic abuse of power that officials say was an open secret for years.

The incident, captured on chilling security footage, occurred on September 19, 2024, inside the Letcher County Circuit Court. Sheriff Shawn Stines entered the chambers of District Judge Kevin Mullins. After a brief conversation, Stines drew his service weapon and shot the judge dead. He then surrendered calmly, telling officers, “They’re trying to kidnap my wife and kid.” Despite the clear evidence, Stines has pleaded not guilty, with his defense citing “extreme emotional disturbance.”

What Sparked the Kentucky Judge Murder?

New testimony has provided a potential motive, painting a disturbing picture of the events leading to the shooting. According to reports from major news outlets, local woman Tya Adams has come forward with detailed claims that Judge Mullins was operating a complex “sex-for-favors” ring from his position of authority. Adams alleges that Mullins and other community figures coerced young women into participating in sexual acts in exchange for cash or to avoid legal repercussions.

Adams described a culture of fear and psychological manipulation, stating the judge used his power to make women feel “as small and degraded and belittled as possible to take your power away.” She claimed participation felt mandatory, driven by the terror that Child Protective Services would be weaponized against them. The activities, which she called “sex parties,” were so normalized that she felt no one would believe her, stating, “the whole town was doing it.”

How Widespread Were the Allegations?

The credibility of these claims is bolstered by corroboration from other figures within the local justice system. Sarah Davis, the former deputy jailer of Letcher County, confirmed she was aware of the “nasty and sickening” parties and had even been invited to one herself, confirming that knowledge of the events was widespread throughout the county.

A third woman, Sabrina Adkins, provided a statement to law enforcement claiming she had witnessed Judge Mullins engaged in a sexual act with an unidentified woman right inside his judge’s chambers. This testimony adds a layer of audacity to the allegations, suggesting the abuse of power was not hidden away but flaunted within the very halls of justice.

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Investigators discovered a critical piece of evidence that may directly link these allegations to the sheriff’s motive: the phone number of Sheriff Stines’s adult daughter was found in the deceased judge’s phone. While the exact nature of their communication remains part of the ongoing investigation, it provides a tangible connection between the alleged sex ring and the defendant’s family, potentially explaining Stines’s claimed “emotional disturbance.”

Sheriff Shawn Stines remains held without bond as he awaits trial. The case continues to develop, with prosecutors and investigators meticulously building their arguments around a tragedy born from a web of alleged corruption and exploitation.

The unfolding Kentucky judge murder case transcends a simple homicide, exposing a purported network of power and depravity that exploited the most vulnerable. As the judicial process moves forward, a community is left to grapple with the horrifying possibility that its pillars of justice were its greatest predators.