California college coach accused of sex trafficking minor found in Sacramento
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- CSU Bakersfield coach Kevin Mays Jr. faces several felony and misdemeanor charges.
- Prosecutors allege sex trafficking, weapons possession and drug offenses in the case.
- Police from Bakersfield and Sacramento collaborated to find the minor and gather evidence.
Kern County prosecutors on Monday formally filed criminal charges against a basketball coach at California State University, Bakersfield who is accused of sex trafficking a minor found in Sacramento.
Kevin Sanford Mays Jr., 32, faces felony charges of pandering a minor older than 16, pimping, drug possession while armed with a loaded gun, possession of an assault rifle, possession of a short-barreled shotgun and possessing methamphetamine for sale, Kern Superior Court records show.
The felony pandering charge alleges Mays procured another person for the purpose of prostitution, according to the California Penal Code.
Mays’ arraignment hearing was held in court Monday afternoon, according to the Kern County District Attorney’s Office.
On Sept. 3, Bakersfield Police Department officers were notified of a pimping and pandering allegations involving Mays, who is the assistant basketball coach at CSU, Bakersfield, prosecutors said.
Officers worked with the Sacramento Police Department to find the victim in this case and gather evidence in the investigation, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Mays was arrested and booked Friday at the Kern County Jail.
Prosecutors said several aggravating factors are alleged in the criminal complaint against Mays, including crimes involving a particularly vulnerable victim and those involving a high degree of planning and sophistication.
Mays also faces five misdemeanor charges that include carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, possessing a large-capacity ammunition magazine, possessing a gun with an altered serial number, unlawfully possessing marijuana for sale and drug possession, court records show.
In a fall 2024 update on the CSUB website, Mays was then entering his sixth season with the CSU, Bakersfield men’s basketball coaching staff. He was listed as an assistant coach who specializes in player development for the Roadrunners. Mays played for the basketball team and graduated from CSUB in 2016 after earning a bachelor’s degree.
This story was originally published September 8, 2025 at 5:28 PM.
