The Kentucky courthouse where Judge Kevin Mullins was allegedly shot by local sheriff Mickey Stines had a dark history of sex crimes with ties to both the judge and the sheriff.
A former Stines deputy is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence after being convicted of raping a former inmate in Mullins’ room – where he told her there were no cameras, according to WYMT Now.
Former inmate Sabrina Adkins claims in a federal lawsuit that she couldn’t afford the cost of an ankle monitor and didn’t want to return to the Letcher County Jail.
According to a 2022 federal lawsuit, Officer Ben Fields forced her to perform sexual acts so she could remain confined to her home.
Sheriff Stines was named as a suspect in the case and was scheduled to give a statement Monday, four days before he allegedly killed the judge.
Kentucky District Court Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, was fatally shot multiple times in his office on Thursday
Those rooms in the Letcher County courthouse have dark ties to suspected shooter, Sheriff Mickey Stine
The lawsuit alleges that Sheriff Stines failed to “respond reasonably” to reports or suspicions of sexual abuse and that he “deliberately disregarded Fields by failing to adequately train and supervise him.” the new york times reports.
Court documents do not indicate whether Mullins knew about the sexual abuse in his office at the time or whether he was involved in any wrongdoing. However, he is named in the court documents as someone with information in the case.
It’s also unclear whether the sexual abuse case was a motive for Thursday’s shooting, when Stines reportedly walked into Mullins’ room and told staff he wanted to speak to the judge alone.
He and Mullins then entered the judge’s office, closed the door, and those outside heard several gunshots, according to The Mountain Eagle.
Stines then walked out with his hands up and surrendered to officers. Around 3 p.m., they placed him in handcuffs. Kentucky State Police officers found Mullins, 54, with multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced him dead at the scene.
The sheriff is now charged with first-degree murder and is said to be cooperating with state police investigating the incident, the New York Times reported.
Authorities say Stines, 43, turned himself in to police after the shooting
Thursday’s shooting temporarily closed the local high school and sent shockwaves through the rural community of Whitesburg.
“This is a small community and we are all shocked,” State Trooper Matt Gayheart said during an evening news conference.
He added that there were cameras in the courthouse and that all witnesses to the shooting will be questioned by police as the motive for the shooting remains unclear.
Mullins was appointed to the state’s 47th District judgeship in 2009 under former Governor Steve Beshear.
He oversaw juvenile cases, municipal and county ordinances, misdemeanors, traffic violations, citations, felony probable cause hearings, claims of $2,500 or less, civil cases of $5,000 or less, voluntary and involuntary mental commitments, and domestic violence cases. according to a Letcher County website.
Mullins also received recognition for his efforts to treat people with drug addiction rather than incarcerate them. In 2010, he started a program that allowed inmates with substance abuse disorders to enroll in inpatient treatment as a condition of parole.
He was recently appointed to a judicial commission on mental health and before that served as an assistant state attorney for nine and a half years, focusing primarily on drug-related crimes.
Stines was elected sheriff in 2018 and re-elected in 2022.
The sheriff reportedly told courthouse staff he wanted to speak to Mullins alone, and the two went to his office and closed the door before witnesses heard gunshots.
Thursday’s shooting temporarily shut down the local high school and shocked the rural community of Whitesburg
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said Thursday that his office will work with Jackie Steele, the commonwealth’s attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit, as special prosecutors on the case.
“We will conduct a thorough investigation and pursue justice,” he announced on social media.
The Kentucky Court of Justice also said it is “in contact with law enforcement agencies, including the Kentucky State Police, and offers our full support during this difficult time.”
“As long as the investigation is ongoing, we are prepared to provide assistance in every possible way,” the court said on social media.
“Our deepest condolences go out to all affected by this tragic event. Our thoughts and prayers are with the community at this difficult time.”
The district courts and the courts of first instance, as well as the office of the court clerk, will remain closed on Friday following the shooting.
