A former high-level state parks supervisor accused of secretly recording nude or semi-nude lifeguards and park aides at a Bolsa Chica State Beach facility pleaded not guilty to criminal charges during a Westminster court appearance on Monday, Sept. 21.
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Kevin Pearsall — a 59-year-old Long Beach resident who oversaw state parks across Orange County — formally entered a not guilty plea through his attorney for five felony counts of eavesdropping and more than two-dozen misdemeanor counts of secretly filming or unlawful dissemination of private recordings.
Prosecutors allege that Pearsall used a camera disguised as USB stick to surreptitiously record the “genitals or buttocks” of 23 different men without their knowledge. The recording device — which captured video and audio over 11 months through July 2025 — was discovered in an employee locker room where Pearsall had allegedly directed lifeguards and other state workers to change.
Pearsall stood next to his attorney during the brief appearance before a judge at the Orange County Superior Courthouse in Westminster and did not speak. Neither Pearsall nor his attorney commented after the hearing.
Accusers who used to work for Pearsall — more than 30 of have filed lawsuits against him — allege that he abused his position of power and that the state park department failed to protect them. Some have described feeling “betrayed” by Pearsall, who was a sworn peace officer during his time as a state park supervisor. Pearsall quit the position after being placed on leave following the discovery of the hidden camera.
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At least some of the images captured by the camera were allegedly sent by Pearsall to undisclosed individuals, according to prosecutors.
“We don’t know if and when and how many videos were disseminated to others and if any of them landed on the dark web,” Gloria Allred — one of several high-profile attorneys and law firms representing the accusers — said after Monday’s hearing.
“We have more questions than answers now,” Allred added. “But we are determined to get those answers for our clients.”
If convicted, Pearsall faces up to 18 years and eight months behind bars. He is scheduled to return to court in early December.
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