A former California State University, Bakersfield assistant men’s basketball coach is jailed without bail on 11 criminal charges, including human trafficking and possession of child pornography, ESPN reported. 

Kevin Mays, hired as a temporary assistant coach in June, was arrested after an anonymous tipster emailed then-head coach Rod Barnes in August, alleging Mays was operating as a pimp across four states.

Kevin Mays

Police investigations revealed Mays allegedly financed a 23-year-old sex worker’s travel, sometimes using a university-contracted rental car. A search of Mays’ property yielded automatic firearms, methamphetamine, marijuana, and nearly 600 images of child pornography.

Mays has pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains in jail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 13.

The scandal has triggered massive upheaval within the university’s athletic department. Following Mays’ arrest, Barnes and Athletic Director Kyle Conder were removed from their positions. Conder has since filed a whistleblower retaliation lawsuit against the school.

Another Blow to Bakersfield

Adding to the athletic department’s turmoil, two anonymous softball players sued the university and former coach James Davenport last year over allegations of verbal, sexual and physical harassment. The lawsuit also claims Conder had a pattern of ignoring complaints against Mays.

Davenport was dismissed following a June 2025 university investigation that substantiated claims he engaged in illegal weapons transactions, threatened a student with a gun, and had an inappropriate relationship with a student.

Davenport, who previously filed his own workplace violence complaint, has denied the allegations in court filings. The university has also denied the players’ claims and asked a judge to dismiss the lawsuit.

Read more at ESPN.