An ESPN investigation published Thursday morning details a scandal that has enveloped the men’s basketball program at California State University-Bakersfield. Kevin Mays, a former temporary assistant coach under former head coach Rod Barnes, is alleged to have operated as a pimp across California, Nevada, Washington and Oregon.
Barnes reportedly opened an anonymous email on Aug. 29 from a tipster — believed to be a sex worker — titled ‘IMPORTANT MESSAGE 911 911.’
‘HE IS TRAFFICKING A GIRL BY THE NAME OF [redacted],’ the email in all caps read, according to police records. ‘HE HAS BEEN TRAFFICKING THIS GIRL SINCE MAY.’ The sender also reportedly added ‘FIX IT OR THE WHOLE STAFF WILL FALL,’ before saying the email served as a ‘first warning and a final warning.’
Barnes reportedly forwarded the email to the university’s human resources department, which then sent it up the ladder to university police, which began an investigation that led to charges against Mays.
The Bakersfield Police Department confirmed their contributions to ESPN’s initial reporting to USA TODAY Sports on Thursday through public affairs and communications manager Sally Selby. USA TODAY Sports has also reached out to Barnes and the Cal State Bakersfield athletic department for additional comment.
According to the case file, Mays has been incarcerated since Sept. 12 and is facing a laundry list of felony sex offense charges, including sending and selling obscene matter depicting minors.
Mays played for the Roadrunners under Barnes from 2014-16 and according to ESPN, joined the athletic department in 2019 as a player development coordinator.
‘These types of crimes often hide in plain sight,’ Selby told USA TODAY Sports. ‘We will continue to work with our partners to identify traffickers, support survivors, and hold offenders accountable.’
In the aftermath of the scandal, the school announced the departure of athletic director Kyle Conder on Sept. 8. Barnes — who had been the head coach at Cal State Bakersfield for 14 years dating back to 2011 — stepped down from his role weeks later on Sept. 24.
