In a disturbing turn of events, a former California State Parks supervisor has been charged with secretly filming lifeguards and other workers in a locker room at Bolsa Chica State Beach. The case, which came to light in, has sent shockwaves through the community and raised serious questions about the misuse of power.
The accused, Kevin Pearsall, 59, of Long Beach, is facing a total of 31 charges, including five felony counts of eavesdropping, 23 misdemeanor counts of secretly filming another, and three misdemeanor counts of unlawful dissemination of private recordings. If convicted on all charges, Pearsall could face a maximum sentence of 18 years and eight months in prison.
The Investigation and Charges
The investigation began when a California State Parks officer discovered a USB stick with a hidden camera in the men’s locker room at Bolsa Chica State Beach Lifeguard Headquarters. The California Highway Patrol launched an investigation, which revealed that Pearsall had allegedly recorded numerous secret videos in the locker room over an 11-month period beginning in.
Prosecutors allege that Pearsall not only recorded the videos but also sent some of the images to two other men, making sexually charged comments about the victims. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office described the actions as “disgustingly violative,” emphasizing the intimate and invasive nature of the crimes.
The Victims and Legal Actions
At least 23 victims, all male adults, have been identified in the case. The victims were unaware that they were being recorded while changing in the locker room. One of the victims, represented by attorney Ron Zambrano, has filed a civil lawsuit against Pearsall and the California Department of State Parks, alleging sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and failure to prevent the illegal behavior.
Zambrano described the case as “disgusting,” highlighting that Pearsall used his position of power to prey on the men who worked for him. The lawsuit alleges that Pearsall encouraged certain employees to use the “back lockers,” where the hidden cameras were placed, under the guise of providing more privacy.
The Response from California State Parks
California State Parks has stated that they take the charges very seriously and have fully cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation. Marty Greenstein, a spokesperson for the agency, declined to comment further, citing the active criminal investigation. Pearsall, who had worked for the department since 1994 and served as a superintendent from 2026 to 2026, retired shortly after the California Highway Patrol served search warrants in the case.
The case has sparked outrage and concern within the community, with many questioning how such actions could have gone unnoticed for so long. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has vowed to ensure that the victims receive the justice they deserve.
Pearsall is scheduled to be arraigned on August 6, 2026, and could enter a plea at that time. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need for robust safeguards to protect individuals from such invasive and violative acts.
