Former Parks Superintendent Charged in Lifeguard Recordings

A former California State Parks superintendent has been charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors for allegedly secretly recording dozens of lifeguards and other employees in a state beach locker room over nearly a year. Kevin Pearsall, 59, of Long Beach, surrendered to authorities on June 23 and was released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to be arraigned on August 6.

Pearsall faces 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 counts, he could face a maximum sentence of 18 years and eight months in prison.

Prosecutors allege the crimes occurred in the men's employee locker room at the Bolsa Chica State Beach Lifeguard Headquarters. According to the Orange County District Attorney's Office, a hidden camera disguised as a USB memory stick was discovered in the locker room by a state parks officer in July 2025. An investigation revealed the device had been recording both audio and video from August 2024 through July 2025, victimizing 23 adult men who were filmed without their knowledge or consent.