A now-former magistrate candidate in Letcher County appeared in court this week for a bond reduction hearing in the sex abuse and child pornography case against him.
At Thursday’s bond reduction hearing, Daniel Dotson, the attorney for Emory “Fudge” Mullins, asked Letcher Circuit Judge Jimmy Craft to reduce the current $100,000 cash bond levied on Mullins after he was indicted and arrested on charges of sex abuse, retaliating against a witness and possessing child pornography. Dotson asked that the bond be reduced to a partially secured bond, a $10,000 cash bond, or a $20,000 property bond.
At the time of his indictment and arrest, Mullins stood as the Democratic nominee for magistrate in Letcher County’s 3rd District. Dotson revealed during Thursday’s hearing that Mullins is no longer a candidate for magistrate in Letcher County.
Also at Thursday’s hearing, Kentucky State Police troopers gave testimony about the case against Mullins.
KSP Det. Scott Caudill told the court that Mullins admitted that child pornography would be found on his computer, but he blamed it on his brother. Caudill said Mullins stated his brother would use the computer from time to time and look at images of young boys engaging in sexual activity.
KSP Trooper Anthony Trotter, who arrested Mullins after his indictment, said Mullins admitted to searching for pornography of individuals as young as 17 years old.
Although much of the testimony during Thursday’s hearing centered on the child pornography allegations against Mullins, some testimony was given about the sex abuse case Mullins is facing.
The mother of the alleged victim in the sex abuse charge told the court that Mullins violated a court order to stay away from her and her family and its properties. Mullins was arrested in early June on a criminal trespassing charge related to one of those alleged incidents.
Judge Craft told the attorneys for both sides that he plans to make a ruling on the motion for bond reduction early next week. Mullins remains lodged in the Letcher County Jail.
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