The message landed in an inbox with a subject line that was impossible to ignore.
Soon after, investigators say it set off a chain of events that would lead to the arrest of a former basketball player connected to the men’s program at California State University, Bakersfield.
Authorities say Kevin Mays, a former player who later worked as a temporary assistant coach for the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners, now faces 11 criminal and misdemeanor charges, including felony pimping, after police uncovered what they believe was a prostitution operation spanning multiple states.
The case began in August when then-head coach Rod Barnes received an anonymous email with the subject line “IMPORTANT MESSAGE 911 911.”
According to reports, the sender claimed Mays had been trafficking a woman across several states since May and warned the program to act quickly.
The email was ultimately forwarded to the university’s human resources department and then to campus police, which triggered the investigation that followed.
Kevin Mays: How the investigation unfolded
Detectives eventually identified a woman advertising sex services in Sacramento, California.
Investigators arranged a meeting while posing as a potential client. During the encounter, the woman allegedly told officers that Mays was her boyfriend and that he regularly paid for expenses related to her work.
Police say those expenses included hotel rooms, rental cars and flights. Authorities arrested Mays shortly afterward.
Searches of his vehicle and apartment allegedly uncovered multiple firearms and what investigators described as a large quantity of drugs.
Police also examined Mays’ phone and say they discovered hundreds of images of child pornography, including material involving very young children.
The discovery significantly expanded the seriousness of the investigation.
Mays had only recently joined the program. Records show he was hired in June as a temporary assistant coach earning about $3,000 per month.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains in custody without bail, according to court records.
Shockwaves across the athletic department
The case quickly sent ripples through the university’s athletics leadership.
Shortly after the arrest became public, both Rod Barnes and athletic director Kyle Conder left their positions. The university has not confirmed whether those departures were directly connected to the investigation.
In a statement, university officials described the allegations as “deeply concerning.”
The school also confirmed that it launched a broader review of procedures within its athletics programs following the incident.
Local coverage from The Bakersfield Californian reports that the situation has raised questions about hiring oversight and background checks for short-term athletic staff members.
Across college athletics, universities have increasingly strengthened internal reporting policies and compliance procedures as programs face growing scrutiny around misconduct involving coaches and staff.
The investigation continues
Authorities say the case remains active. Investigators continue to conduct interviews and review evidence to determine whether additional victims or charges could emerge as the case develops.
Legal proceedings involving Kevin Mays are expected to continue in the California court system in the coming months while the university completes its internal review.
For the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners basketball program, the immediate focus is stabilizing leadership and rebuilding trust after a scandal that has drawn national attention.
This report is based on publicly available court records, law enforcement statements, university comments and regional reporting including coverage from The Bakersfield Californian. Information reflects verified details available at the time of publication.