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Ex–Cal State Bakersfield Assistant Coach Faces 11 Counts After Tip Triggers Police Sting

He remains jailed without bail with a preliminary hearing set for March 13.

Overview

  • An anonymous Aug. 29 email to then–head coach Rod Barnes alleging interstate trafficking was forwarded to university HR and police, launching the investigation.
  • Detectives arranged a September sting in Sacramento, where the alleged victim called Kevin Mays her boyfriend and described him paying for travel tied to sex work in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.
  • Searches of Mays’ car, apartment and phone allegedly uncovered multiple firearms, narcotics, and nearly 600 images of child sexual abuse material.
  • Mays has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include pimping, weapons and drug offenses, and possession of child pornography.
  • Cal State Bakersfield reported leadership departures for Barnes and athletic director Kyle Conder, who has since filed a wrongful-termination lawsuit, while the university conducts training and a broader athletics review as investigators pursue follow-up interviews.