In rural Kentucky, a judge allegedly shot in his office last year by a local sheriff is accused of leveraging a scheme where he sought sexual favors from women to resolve their legal issues, according to an allegation. 

Tya Adams shared with News Nation that she participated in sex parties hosted by District Court Judge Kevin Mullins and his acquaintances in the small town of Whitesburg. She attended these parties in exchange for cash or legal leniency. 

Adams told NewsNation’s “Banfield” that Mullins had warned her to keep quiet about what was taking place. 

“Pretty much the entire county is aware,” she stated. “But it was validated for me while working at the county jail, especially after being invited to a party myself.”

She described the lockup as a “brothel” where staffers had sexual encounters with each other and  with inmates. 

Mullins invited Davis to a sex party once, but she said she declined. 

“I was raised better than that,” she said.

Mullins, aged 54, was fatally shot on Sept. 19, 2024, inside his chambers, reportedly by Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines. Stines, who is no longer serving as sheriff, has entered a not guilty plea to first-degree murder charges. 

The shooting was recorded on video showing Stines firing at Mullins while he was seated at his desk. Allegedly, the sheriff, who had a longtime friendship with the judge, continued shooting after Mullins fell to the ground. 

A Kentucky State Police trooper and former Letcher County Sheriff’s deputy, a friend of Mickey Stines, tries to calm Stines down during questioning.  (Kentucky State Police)

The two men had eaten lunch together hours earlier with a group, authorities said. 

At a preliminary hearing, Kentucky State Police Det. Clayton Stamper testified that Stines attempted to call his daughter on his phone, then on Mullins’ phone. Stines’ daughter was stored in Mullins’ contacts, The Associated Press previously reported.