Judge Mullins, Scandal Rumors, and the Line Between Allegation and Proof

Judge Mullins, Scandal Rumors, and the Line Between Allegation and Proof

Updated: Aug 27, 2025Category: Gossip (Analysis)Byline: Harlan Gossip Staff

TL;DR: Judge Kevin R. Mullins was shot and killed inside his chambers on Sept. 19, 2024. Former Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines is charged with murder and has pleaded not guilty; recent hearings dealt with bond and pretrial motions. Separately, a wave of allegations about sex‑for‑favors schemes has surfaced in media interviews and lawsuits. Those are allegations; we have not seen a court finding that proves them. This post separates what’s verified from what’s alleged and what remains unconfirmed.

Dateline — Whitesburg, KY (Sept. 19, 2024 → Aug. 27, 2025)

What We Know (Verified Facts)

• On Sept. 19, 2024, Judge Kevin R. Mullins, 54, was shot inside his chambers at the Letcher County Courthouse.

• Then‑Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, 43, was arrested and charged with murder the same day. Surveillance footage shows the encounter and the shooting.

• Stines has pleaded not guilty. A Letcher County grand jury indicted him in November 2024.

• In Aug. 2025, court hearings addressed a bond request and motions (including a motion to dismiss). As of this update, no trial date has been publicly set.

We will update this section as new court filings or orders appear.

The Rumors & Allegations (Clearly Labeled)

A number of media interviews and civil filings have described alleged “sex‑for‑favors” conduct tied to local officials. Some accusers specifically allege Judge Mullins was involved. These are claims, not findings. Highlights of what’s been said publicly:

• Interviews on national/regional outlets (e.g., cable news segments and follow‑on stories) feature named accusers and a former jail staffer claiming quid‑pro‑quo sex and “party” culture.

• A federal civil suit involving a former deputy described sexual exploitation connected to the home detention program and referenced conduct in or around judicial offices. One deputy was sentenced in 2024 in a related criminal case; that deputy’s case and the civil suit are separate from the murder charge against Stines.

Important: None of the above equals a court ruling that Judge Mullins himself committed crimes. We treat these as allegations until a court makes findings or prosecutors file charges.

What We Couldn’t Verify (Yet)

• We have not seen an official investigative report or charging document that proves quid‑pro‑quo by Judge Mullins.

• We have not obtained or authenticated any alleged videos said to show misconduct by the judge.

• We have not seen a motive filing tying the murder directly to any alleged sex‑for‑favors scheme. (Law enforcement has not publicly stated a motive.)

If you have documents relevant to these points (affidavits, filings, authenticated messages, court orders), see How We Vet Claims below and send them.

Where the Case Stands (Stines)

• Charge: Murder in the shooting death of Judge Mullins.

• Status: Pretrial; defense has filed a bond request and motion to dismiss/other motions; prosecutors have sought a mental evaluation earlier this year.

• Next steps: Watch the docket for orders on bond and motions; any scheduled trial date; and future discovery items.

How We Vet Claims

We’re local and we take this seriously. For allegations to move into verified territory, we look for:

• A court filing (indictment, complaint, sworn affidavit) that names the conduct and the person.

• A law‑enforcement report or official letter that corroborates the claim.

• Primary‑source materials (documents, authenticated media) we can confirm independently.

Send documents to tips@harlangossip.com or use the Contact page. We protect sources as allowed by law; do not send anything illegal to possess.

Why We’re Running This as “Gossip (Analysis)”

This story sits right on the line between public‑interest rumor and provable fact. We label it Analysis so readers understand what’s confirmed, what’s alleged, and what’s unknown.

What’s Next

• Court: Rulings on bond and pretrial motions; any mental‑health evaluation orders; scheduling.

• Records: We’re filing for dockets and any public records that can be released.

• Follow‑ups: If a prosecutor, defense attorney, or agency offers on‑record clarification, we’ll update promptly.

Sources (selected)

• Initial arrest/charging and later bond‑motion coverage by wire/local outlets.

• Regional reporting on alleged sex‑for‑favors claims, including interviews with named accusers and attorneys.

• Court and corrections records related to a deputy’s criminal case and a civil rights lawsuit.

Disclaimer: All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Allegations are labeled and attributed; absence of a source in this post means we are still working to verify. Content is for information only and is not legal advice.Corrections/Tips: See our Editorial Policy or Contact.