Trending Now - Ex-college Basketball Coach Accused of Pimping Across States

WHO:

Kevin Mays, former assistant basketball coach at California State University, Bakersfield

Rod Barnes, then-head coach of the men's basketball team at Cal State Bakersfield

David Torres, attorney for Kevin Mays

Vernon Harper, university president

Sarah Tuohy, acting athletic director

Sally Selby, public affairs and communications manager for the Bakersfield Police Department

Kyle Conder, former athletic director at Cal State Bakersfield

Leticia Olivarez, softball coach at Cal State Bakersfield

James Davenport, softball coach at Cal State Bakersfield

Two anonymous softball players who sued the school

WHAT:

Kevin Mays is accused of running a prostitution ring across four states: Las Vegas, Oregon, Washington, and California.

Mays faces 11 charges, including:

Pimping

Possession of automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines

Possession of methamphetamine and marijuana with intent to sell

Possession of over 600 images of child pornography

Distribution of obscene matter involving someone under 18 years old

Mays has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The preliminary hearing for Mays is scheduled for March 13, 2026.

An anonymous email tipster warned Rod Barnes about Mays' activities on August 29, 2025.

The alleged victim charged $300 for half an hour and $500 for a full hour for her services.

Police conducted a sting operation on September 4, 2025, leading to Mays' arrest the following day.

Mays was employed as a temporary assistant coach at a salary of just over $3,000 per month.

The university conducted a criminal background check on Mays before his appointment, which revealed no issues.

WHERE:

California State University, Bakersfield

Locations of alleged activities: Las Vegas, Oregon, Washington, California

Sacramento, California, where the sting operation took place

WHEN:

August 29, 2025: Anonymous email received by Rod Barnes

September 4, 2025: Sting operation conducted

March 13, 2026: Preliminary hearing for Mays

Mays played for Cal State Bakersfield from 2014 to 2016

WHY:

The investigation was triggered by an anonymous email tip that alleged Mays was trafficking a woman for several months.

The email warned, "FIX IT OR THE WHOLE STAFF WILL FALL," indicating serious concerns about Mays' activities.

HOW:

The investigation began after Rod Barnes forwarded the anonymous email to the university's human resources, which then contacted university police.

Police conducted a sting operation by scheduling a "date" with the alleged victim in a hotel room rented by Mays.

Evidence collected included text messages showing Mays' involvement and control over the alleged victim's activities.

Kevin Mays, a former assistant basketball coach at California State University, Bakersfield, is facing serious allegations of running a prostitution ring across four states, including Las Vegas and California, with charges that include pimping and possession of child pornography. Mays has pleaded not guilty to all eleven charges, and a preliminary hearing is set for March 13, 2026, following an investigation that began after an anonymous email tip warned university officials about his activities. The sting operation that led to his arrest on September 5, 2025, involved police setting up a meeting with the alleged victim, which uncovered evidence of Mays' involvement in trafficking and control over her activities.