Former Cal State Bakersfield Assistant Coach Faces Serious Criminal Allegations
Kevin Mays, a former assistant coach for the Division I basketball team at Cal State Bakersfield, is currently in custody without bail on multiple charges, including pimping, illegal weapons possession, and possession of child pornography. According to court records obtained by HuffPost, Mays was arrested after an investigation sparked by an anonymous tip in late August.
Timeline of the Investigation
The accusations came to light when then-head coach Rod Barnes received an email on August 29 from an anonymous tipster. This email identified a woman who allegedly had been trafficked by Mays across four states, including California. Barnes promptly forwarded the email to human resources, which then alerted the police.
Sacramento police became involved and conducted a sting operation on September 4. They scheduled a date with the alleged victim, who reportedly informed officers that Mays was her boyfriend and routinely covered travel expenses for her sex work. Mays was arrested on pimping charges and denied any involvement, though he admitted his girlfriend had his rental car. Shortly after this incident, Mays and the university parted ways.
Evidence and Additional Charges
Following the arrest, a search of Mays' vehicle and apartment, as reported by KGET in Bakersfield, uncovered several firearms, large quantities of cocaine, and indications that the drugs were intended for sale. About a week later, the Kern County district attorney announced that Mays would also face charges for possession of child pornography, alleging that over 600 images had been found.
ESPN added that there is evidence suggesting Mays rented a car for alleged prostitution using a university account, but the school has denied this claim. Mays has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings
HuffPost has reached out to Mays' lawyer, the Kern County District Attorney's office, and Bakersfield police, who confirm that the investigation is still active. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 13, according to court records.
This case has drawn significant attention due to Mays' background as a former player at Cal State Bakersfield, where he was hired on a temporary basis in May before the accusations surfaced months later. The university has not commented further on the matter, but the legal process continues to unfold as authorities pursue justice in this complex and troubling situation.
