In 9/2024, Judge Kevin Mullins was shot and killed by his friend, Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines, while sitting in his office at the Letcher County Courthouse in Kentucky, shocking the United States.
Almost a year after the incident, on 19/8, a woman named Tya Adams accused Judge Mullins of running a "sex-for-money and acquittal" scheme within the courthouse.
Adams told News Nation that she and other women were victims of Judge Mullins, forced to have sex with him and other powerful figures in Whitesburg in exchange for money or to avoid charges, making the courthouse "like a brothel."
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Sheriff Shawn Stines shot and killed Judge Kevin Mullins at the Letcher County Courthouse in Kentucky in 9/2024. Photo: NY Post |
Sheriff Shawn Stines shot and killed Judge Kevin Mullins at the Letcher County Courthouse in Kentucky in 9/2024. Photo: NY Post
Adams said Mullins warned her to keep quiet about the illicit activities. "He introduced me to his friends, then organized wild parties where I had sex with them for money and other things," said Adams, who did not disclose her age. "It was voluntary, but the problem was we were too young, and they took advantage of that against us, ruining our later lives."
When asked why she didn't refuse, Adams said she was afraid of the justice system and that Child Protective Services (CPS) would intervene and disrupt her life if she disobeyed Judge Mullins.
It remains unclear whether Adams had any prior legal troubles or was under CPS supervision at the time.
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Tya Adams speaking on US television earlier this week. Photo: News Nation |
Tya Adams speaking on US television earlier this week. Photo: News Nation
"My silence was a given. Who would believe it? Because the whole town was doing it. Nobody cared. To them, it was all one big party. It was normal," Adams said.
Sarah Davis, a former Letcher County jail official, also told News Nation that she had heard "disgusting" stories about the wild parties organized by Judge Mullins.
"Almost the whole county knew. I can confirm that from when I worked at the jail and was invited to a party," Davis said.
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Judge Kevin Mullins, who was shot dead in 2024. Photo: Letcher County |
Judge Kevin Mullins, who was shot dead in 2024. Photo: Letcher County
Another woman, Sabrina Adkins, in 2022 also mentioned Judge Mullins's name when accusing Deputy Sheriff Ben Fields of soliciting her for sex in exchange for bail.
According to Adkins's lawsuit, Deputy Fields asked her to meet him at the "only place in town not under surveillance," which was Judge Mullins's office.
"I witnessed Judge Mullins having sex with a girl right in his office," Adkins told police at the time.
US authorities have not commented on these allegations. It is unclear whether the accusations against Judge Mullins are related to the 2024 shooting.
Surveillance video shows Sheriff Stines entering Mullins's office and making several calls to his daughter before drawing his gun and firing 8 shots at the judge.
After the shooting, Stines walked outside, surrendered his weapon, and told police: "They're trying to kidnap my wife and children."
Stines's lawyer said his client acted in a state of emotional distress. Stines is charged with murdering an official and is being held in a Kentucky jail.
Duc Trung (According to NY Post, AP)
