The California State University, Bakersfield basketball program is in shambles after Kevin Mays, a former player turned temporary assistant coach, got tangled up in a shocking scandal. Mays is facing 11 criminal charges, including felony pimping, stemming from allegations that he ran a multi-state trafficking operation while working for the team. It’s a story that kicked off with an anonymous email to then-head coach Rod Barnes, warning him about Mays’disturbing activities.
The investigation that followed revealed a web of deceit with Mays being implicated in covering expenses for a woman linked to sex work, including hotel stays and flight arrangements. Law enforcement didn’t stop there; they also uncovered guns and drugs during a search of his belongings. And just when you thought things couldn’t get worse, authorities found alarming images that point to a far more sinister underbelly. With both Barnes and athletic director Kyle Conder leaving their positions following Mays’ arrest, the fallout from this scandal has left the university community reeling. How does one find themselves in such a deep mess while leading young athletes?
About the Author
Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
