Former Cal State Bakersfield Assistant Charged with Pimping, Firearms, and Drug Offenses

Kevin Mays faces multiple felonies including allegations of trafficking a woman across four states

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Former Cal State Bakersfield basketball assistant coach Kevin Mays has been arrested and charged with several felonies, including pimping, possession of automatic firearms, and drug offenses with intent to sell. The charges stem from an anonymous tip received by the university's former head coach Rod Barnes, alleging that Mays had been trafficking a woman since May. The investigation by Bakersfield police is ongoing, with the possibility of additional charges.

Why it matters

The allegations against Mays raise serious concerns about the conduct of university athletic department staff and the need for stronger oversight and accountability measures. The case also highlights the ongoing issue of human trafficking and the role that law enforcement and educational institutions must play in addressing it.

The details

According to the report, Mays, a former Cal State Bakersfield athlete from 2014-16, worked in a temporary coaching role with the university last summer. In August, the university's former head coach Rod Barnes received an anonymous letter from an alleged victim, claiming that Mays had been trafficking a woman since May. Barnes forwarded the letter to the university's human resources department, leading to multiple charges against Mays, including felonies such as pimping, possession of automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines, and possession of methamphetamine and marijuana with intent to sell. Mays has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and the investigation is ongoing.

  • In August, former head coach Rod Barnes received an anonymous letter alleging Mays' involvement in human trafficking.
  • Mays was arrested in September and charged with multiple felonies.
  • The university's athletic director, Kyle Conder, was terminated just days after Mays' arrest, with Conder later filing a lawsuit claiming he was fired for alerting officials to "potential crimes and misconduct" within the university.
  • Head coach Rod Barnes stepped down from his position around the same time as Conder's termination, with the university making no mention of the reasons for his departure.

The players

Kevin Mays

A former Cal State Bakersfield athlete from 2014-16 who worked in a temporary coaching role with the university last summer. He has been charged with multiple felonies, including pimping, possession of automatic firearms, and drug offenses with intent to sell.

Rod Barnes

The former head coach of the Cal State Bakersfield basketball team, who received an anonymous letter alleging Mays' involvement in human trafficking and forwarded it to the university's human resources department.

Kyle Conder

The former athletic director of Cal State Bakersfield, who was terminated just days after Mays' arrest and has since filed a lawsuit against the university, claiming he was fired for alerting officials to "potential crimes and misconduct" within the university.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Kevin Mays out on bail, and the Bakersfield Police Department plans to conduct follow-up interviews to determine if additional charges could be filed.

The takeaway

This case highlights the urgent need for universities to have robust policies and procedures in place to address allegations of misconduct by athletic department staff, as well as the importance of strong partnerships between educational institutions and law enforcement to combat human trafficking and other serious crimes.