Former California parks superintendent charged with covertly filming lifeguards in beach locker room
Former California State Parks superintendent Kevin Pearsall appeared in court on felony and misdemeanor charges for allegedly installing hidden cameras that recorded nearly two dozen male lifeguards, including teens, in a Bolsa Chica State Beach locker room.
Kevin Pearsall, a former superintendent of California State Parks, was brought before a Westminster courtroom on felony and misdemeanor accusations of secretly filming male lifeguards in the locker room at Bolsa Chica State Beach. Prosecutors allege that hidden cameras were installed as early as 2019 and operated for 11 months starting in August 2024, capturing images of roughly two dozen lifeguards, some as young as 15, and that Pearsall distributed the footage to acquaintances.
He faces five felony eavesdropping counts, 23 misdemeanor secret-filming charges and three misdemeanor unlawful dissemination counts, carrying a potential sentence of up to 18 years and eight months. Pearsall remained free after the hearing, with his arraignment postponed to Sept. 21. Victims present described feeling betrayed, and attorneys for the lifeguards, including Mark Peacock and Gloria Allred, voiced disappointment over the delayed proceedings. The locker room is restricted to park staff, and the case highlights concerns about privacy violations by a sworn peace officer.
Why it matters
The case raises serious privacy and abuse concerns involving a public safety official and minors.
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