A pimp whose sex worker allegedly advertised on social media that she was willing to be anything from “arm candy” for a party to a “no strings attached girlfriend” has been charged with a slew of criminal offenses in Kern County Superior Court.
The alleged pimp, Kevin Mays, is a former assistant men’s basketball coach and player at Cal State Bakersfield. Mays faces 11 charges, including pimping, possession of automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines, and possession of methamphetamine and marijuana with intent to sell.
An investigation by the Bakersfield Police Department also resulted in separate charges against Mays for possession of more than 600 images of child pornography and distribution of obscene matter involving someone under 18.
Mays was arrested in September 2025 and is being held without bail. He has pleaded not guilty. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 13.
—
### Impact on CSU Bakersfield Athletics
The case, first reported by Shwetha Surendran of ESPN, has rocked the athletic department at CSU Bakersfield.
Following the revelations, longtime basketball coach Rod Barnes and athletic director Kyle Condor have both left their positions. Additionally, Condor filed a lawsuit against the school alleging wrongful termination, according to court documents obtained by The Times.
CSU Bakersfield officials stated that the allegations against Mays do not involve a student. Nevertheless, the school has formed a commission to examine the athletic program and recommend changes.
“When CSU Bakersfield received an anonymous report in August 2025 that a member of our coaching staff was engaged in human trafficking, we took immediate action by notifying university police and the Bakersfield Police Department,” the university said in a statement.
“Both agencies launched investigations that resulted in an arrest within days. Shortly after, the university terminated the coach.
“The nature of the allegations devastated our campus community. We seized the opportunity to strengthen education and prevention efforts around human trafficking. To that end, we consulted with a local human trafficking expert and offered training and education focused on awareness and prevention for our campus community.”
—
### Details from the Investigation
Police said the alleged victim is 23 years old. In an advertisement she posted last summer, she stated she charged $300 for a half hour and $500 for 60 minutes.
Authorities conducted a sting operation in September, arranging to meet her in a hotel room rented by Mays.
In a police interview after the operation, the woman referred to Mays as her boyfriend and said he paid for her travel accommodations in Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and California. These locations were mentioned in an anonymous email sent to Rod Barnes last fall titled “IMPORTANT MESSAGE 911 911.”
The email alleged, “HE IS TRAFFICKING A GIRL BY THE NAME OF [redacted]. HE HAS BEEN TRAFFICKING THIS GIRL SINCE MAY,” according to police records.
Barnes turned over the email to university police, who attempted to contact the sender and received a subsequent email, reports ESPN. The tipster claimed to have known the alleged victim and Mays through previous travel for sex work. The person also said Mays presented himself as a professional gambler and allegedly threatened to take away the tipster’s child if exposed.
—
### Background on Kevin Mays
Mays was born in Queens, New York. He attended St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin, for high school, played at Odessa Community College in Odessa, Texas, before transferring to CSU Bakersfield ahead of the 2014-2015 season.
At the time of signing Mays, Coach Rod Barnes said, “We are excited about signing Kevin as he fits our culture.”
As a senior forward, Mays helped CSU Bakersfield achieve a 24-10 record and scored 14 points with eight rebounds in the Roadrunners’ first-round NCAA tournament loss to Oklahoma.
He later returned to the school as a player-development coordinator. In his 2019 application for the position, Mays wrote that he was motivated by helping players improve on and off the court.
“I gained lots of experience learning to lead young men and help them navigate the Division I experience successfully,” Mays wrote. “CSUB helped me tremendously, and I look forward to giving back.”
Barnes, who coached Mays during his playing years, hired him last fall at a salary of $3,000 a month.
—
### Current Status and University Response
Now, Mays is in jail awaiting trial, while Barnes is unemployed.
“The safety and well-being of our students and all CSU Bakersfield community members remain our highest priority,” the university said in its statement.
“This work is sustained every day by the dedication of our faculty, staff, and students. Their commitment to one another and to our shared values strengthens the culture of care and accountability we strive to build at CSUB.”
https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2026-03-06/kevin-mays-pimping-charge-cal-state-bakersfield-coach-trafficking