A shocking case in Kentucky has stirred up serious questions about corruption, power, and justice. A federal judge, Kevin Mullins, was shot and killed in his chambers at the Letcher County Courthouse. The man accused of the crime? Former sheriff Shawn Stines, who had been friends with Mullins for nearly 30 years.
But this story gets even more tangled. In a twist that sounds straight out of a crime drama, allegations have surfaced that Judge Mullins may have been running what one witness described as a “brothel” out of his courtroom. The claims were made by Sabrina Adkins, a defendant who says she was a victim of a disturbing abuse of power involving Mullins and Ben Fields, a former deputy already convicted of serious crimes like rape and perjury.
According to Adkins, she saw video evidence of Mullins having sexual encounters in his chambers with women who were allegedly seeking special treatment, like reduced bail or other favors. In her words, it was a setup where women were exploited in exchange for legal leniency.
Adkins filed a lawsuit in early 2022, detailing how Fields, under Mullins’ watch, coerced her into sexual acts to avoid paying fees for her ankle monitor or returning to jail. She claims these encounters often took place in Mullins’ chambers after hours. Her lawsuit paints a grim picture of courthouse abuse, describing a secretive system where powerful men exploited vulnerable women, shielded from scrutiny because no security cameras were present in the judge’s chambers.
The plot thickened in September when Stines shot Mullins just days after being deposed in Adkins’ civil case. Reports say the two men got into a heated argument before the shooting, though the exact details of their confrontation remain unclear. Stines then surrendered to police and has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering a public official.
During his deposition, Stines denied being part of any alleged scheme involving Mullins or Fields. However, his defense lawyer, Jeremy Bartley, has suggested that the allegations about the courthouse misconduct will play a key role in Stines’ defense. Bartley described the case as complex, saying he’s eager to share a fuller picture as the trial unfolds.
Adkins’ attorney, Ned Pillersdorf, backed his client’s claims, likening the alleged activities in Mullins’ chambers to a “brothel.” Meanwhile, law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances of Mullins’ death, but the accusations of corruption cast a long shadow over the courthouse in Whitesburg, Kentucky.
The case has left the small town grappling with serious questions: How deep does this alleged corruption run? And how did those in power seemingly exploit the justice system for their gain? As the trial moves forward, the shocking details are sure to keep unfolding, leaving everyone watching closely for answers.
