Topline: Judge Kevin Mullins, shot by Sheriff Mickey Stines, allegedly exchanged favors for sex with prisoners, a witness claims.
Published: December 9, 2024 1:49 pm ET
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Judge Kevin Mullins, left, was allegedly shot to death by Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines inside the judge's chambers.
District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, who was fatally shot in his chambers on September 19 by Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, 43, was allegedly involved in a sex-for-favors operation, according to a witness in a related case. The accusations emerged in the trial of former deputy Ben Fields, who pleaded guilty earlier this year to sexually assaulting a prisoner.
In recorded interviews obtained by NewsNation, Sabrina Adkins, 43, stated that Fields had videos of “girls, sexual and stuff” in Mullins’ chambers. Adkins also claimed she witnessed a video of Mullins himself engaging in sexual activity with a prisoner. She described the situation as akin to “running a brothel out of that courtroom,” her attorney Ned Pillersdorf told NewsNation.
Adkins testified against Fields after he admitted to raping her while she was under house arrest and he worked for both the sheriff’s office and a monitoring company, The Mountain Eagle reported. Fields was initially charged with seven felonies but pleaded guilty to lesser charges, including third-degree rape and sodomy, receiving a six-month prison sentence and probation.
Adkins alleged that Fields arranged for her and others to have sex with Mullins in exchange for favorable treatment, such as avoiding the use of ankle monitors. According to a civil lawsuit filed by Adkins and another woman, Mullins’ chambers were often used for these encounters after hours because “there were no cameras,” as reported by Law&Crime.
However, surveillance footage did capture Stines shooting Mullins as he sat at his desk. The sheriff, who had argued with Mullins earlier that day, surrendered immediately after the shooting and has since resigned. Stines has pleaded not guilty to murder, and no motive has been disclosed.
The lawsuit against Fields and Stines alleges a failure to train or supervise Fields adequately. Stines claimed in a deposition days before Mullins’ murder that he was unaware of Fields’ misconduct until charges were filed, at which point Fields was terminated.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Kentucky Judge Killed by Sheriff Accused of Running a Sex-for-Favors Scheme
Judge Kevin Mullins, shot by Sheriff Mickey Stines, allegedly exchanged favors for sex with prisoners, a witness claims.
By Silvia Torres
Published: December 9, 2024 1:49 pm ET
Judge Kevin Mullins, left, was allegedly shot to death by Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines inside the judge's chambers.
District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, who was fatally shot in his chambers on September 19 by Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, 43, was allegedly involved in a sex-for-favors operation, according to a witness in a related case. The accusations emerged in the trial of former deputy Ben Fields, who pleaded guilty earlier this year to sexually assaulting a prisoner.
In recorded interviews obtained by NewsNation, Sabrina Adkins, 43, stated that Fields had videos of “girls, sexual and stuff” in Mullins’ chambers. Adkins also claimed she witnessed a video of Mullins himself engaging in sexual activity with a prisoner. She described the situation as akin to “running a brothel out of that courtroom,” her attorney Ned Pillersdorf told NewsNation.
Adkins testified against Fields after he admitted to raping her while she was under house arrest and he worked for both the sheriff’s office and a monitoring company, The Mountain Eagle reported. Fields was initially charged with seven felonies but pleaded guilty to lesser charges, including third-degree rape and sodomy, receiving a six-month prison sentence and probation.
Adkins alleged that Fields arranged for her and others to have sex with Mullins in exchange for favorable treatment, such as avoiding the use of ankle monitors. According to a civil lawsuit filed by Adkins and another woman, Mullins’ chambers were often used for these encounters after hours because “there were no cameras,” as reported by Law&Crime.
However, surveillance footage did capture Stines shooting Mullins as he sat at his desk. The sheriff, who had argued with Mullins earlier that day, surrendered immediately after the shooting and has since resigned. Stines has pleaded not guilty to murder, and no motive has been disclosed.
The lawsuit against Fields and Stines alleges a failure to train or supervise Fields adequately. Stines claimed in a deposition days before Mullins’ murder that he was unaware of Fields’ misconduct until charges were filed, at which point Fields was terminated.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Kentucky Judge Killed by Sheriff Accused of Running a Sex-for-Favors Scheme
Judge Kevin Mullins, shot by Sheriff Mickey Stines, allegedly exchanged favors for sex with prisoners, a witness claims.
By Silvia Torres
Published: December 9, 2024 1:49 pm ET
Judge Kevin Mullins, left, was allegedly shot to death by Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines inside the judge's chambers.
District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, who was fatally shot in his chambers on September 19 by Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, 43, was allegedly involved in a sex-for-favors operation, according to a witness in a related case. The accusations emerged in the trial of former deputy Ben Fields, who pleaded guilty earlier this year to sexually assaulting a prisoner.
In recorded interviews obtained by NewsNation, Sabrina Adkins, 43, stated that Fields had videos of “girls, sexual and stuff” in Mullins’ chambers. Adkins also claimed she witnessed a video of Mullins himself engaging in sexual activity with a prisoner. She described the situation as akin to “running a brothel out of that courtroom,” her attorney Ned Pillersdorf told NewsNation.
Adkins testified against Fields after he admitted to raping her while she was under house arrest and he worked for both the sheriff’s office and a monitoring company, The Mountain Eagle reported. Fields was initially charged with seven felonies but pleaded guilty to lesser charges, including third-degree rape and sodomy, receiving a six-month prison sentence and probation.
Adkins alleged that Fields arranged for her and others to have sex with Mullins in exchange for favorable treatment, such as avoiding the use of ankle monitors. According to a civil lawsuit filed by Adkins and another woman, Mullins’ chambers were often used for these encounters after hours because “there were no cameras,” as reported by Law&Crime.
However, surveillance footage did capture Stines shooting Mullins as he sat at his desk. The sheriff, who had argued with Mullins earlier that day, surrendered immediately after the shooting and has since resigned. Stines has pleaded not guilty to murder, and no motive has been disclosed.
The lawsuit against Fields and Stines alleges a failure to train or supervise Fields adequately. Stines claimed in a deposition days before Mullins’ murder that he was unaware of Fields’ misconduct until charges were filed, at which point Fields was terminated.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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