Kevin Mays, a well-known assistant basketball coach at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB), has found himself at the center of a shocking criminal investigation.
On September 3, 2025, Bakersfield police, in collaboration with the Sacramento Police Department, arrested Mays following allegations of pimping and pandering.
The 32-year-old coach, who has been a fixture in CSUB’s men’s basketball program, now faces a slew of serious charges, including multiple felonies.
Despite the mounting evidence, Kevin Mays pleads not guilty to all charges, as confirmed during his court appearance on Monday in Kern County Superior Court.
A Promising Career Overshadowed by Scandal
Born on December 10, 1992, to parents Kevin and Stephanie Black, Mays developed a passion for basketball from a young age.
He attended Northwestern Military Academy, where he quickly made a name for himself. During his first three seasons with the Lancers, Mays was named Player of the Year and earned spots on the All-Region and All-Conference Teams.
His academic excellence also landed him on the Dean’s List. After transferring to Odessa College, Mays continued his basketball journey at CSUB, where he played as a forward for the Roadrunners from 2014 to 2016.
He was one of the top performers in the Western Athletic Conference, recognized for his strength and rebounding skills.
In 2016, Mays graduated from CSUB with a bachelor’s degree and transitioned into coaching.
By Fall 2025, he was in his seventh season as an assistant coach for the CSUB men’s basketball team, specializing in player development.
His dedication to the sport and his alma mater made him a respected figure in the Bakersfield community until the recent allegations turned his life upside down.
The Investigation Begins
The case against Mays began with an anonymous tip in early September, alleging that he was involved in trafficking a woman.
Bakersfield police acted swiftly, partnering with Sacramento authorities to locate a confidential victim.
She was found in a Sacramento hotel room booked under Mays’ name, in possession of a rental car registered to him.
Investigators uncovered multiple online advertisements linked to Mays, suggesting that sex work was being coordinated across state lines.
This discovery pointed to a high degree of planning and sophistication, according to prosecutors, who cited the victim’s vulnerability as an aggravating factor.
As the investigation deepened, police seized Mays’ phone and conducted a forensic search. What they found was deeply disturbing: over 3,000 encrypted files on cloud storage accounts linked to Mays, including child sexual abuse material.
The content reportedly included images and videos of pre-pubescent children, some as young as four years old, engaged in sexual acts.
This revelation launched a second criminal case, escalating the severity of the charges against him.
Mays faces 11 felony charges, including pimping, illegal firearm possession (including an assault weapon), drug offenses involving methamphetamine and marijuana, and possession of child sexual abuse material, including over 600 illegal images.
In addition to the felony charges, Mays faces multiple misdemeanor counts related to firearms and drug possession.
The U.S. Secret Service has joined the investigation, assisting with the child pornography case, which has been forwarded to the Bakersfield Police’s Special Victims Unit for further review.
Mays is scheduled to be indicted on the child pornography charges on Tuesday in Kern County Superior Court.
The allegations have shocked the CSUB community, where Mays was seen as a role model for young athletes.
As of now, CSUB has not released a statement regarding Mays’ employment status, leaving many to wonder about his future with the university.
The silence from the institution has only fueled speculation and concern among students, faculty, and fans of the Roadrunners basketball program.
The case has also drawn attention to the broader issue of human trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
Local advocates in Bakersfield are calling for increased awareness and support for victims of trafficking, emphasizing the need for community vigilance to prevent such crimes.
Mays pleads not guilty in a serious case involving child sexual abuse material.
Currently in custody, he faces significant legal and public scrutiny as the Bakersfield community copes with these allegations.
The ongoing investigation will likely reveal more about his actions, which could impact his life and career at CSUB.
