State Park Leader Accused of Secretly Recording 23 Lifeguards Naked in Locker Room with Hidden Camera

Kevin Pearsall, 59, allegedly began filming his employees undressing at a California locker room in August 2024

NEED TO KNOW

• Former California State Parks superintendent Kevin Pearsall is accused of secretly recording nearly two dozen male employees in a locker room
• Hidden cameras allegedly captured audio and video of 23 men over an 11-month period at Bolsa Chica State Beach beginning in August 2024
• Pearsall retired after the investigation began and could face up to 18 years in jail if convicted

A former leader of California State Parks has been accused of secretly recording nearly two dozen male lifeguards in an employee locker room. 

On June 24, the District Attorney's Office in Orange County announced former California State Parks superintendent Kevin Pearsall, 59, has been charged with 23 counts of secretly filming another, five counts of eavesdropping and three counts of unlawful dissemination of private records. 

According to prosecutors, the charges stem from multiple instances of recording lifeguards and other state employees in the locker room of the Bolsa Chica State Beach Lifeguard Headquarters in Huntington Beach. Pearsall is also accused of sending nude images of at least three different employees to two other men. 

In July 2025, a sworn California State Parks officer discovered a USB drive in the men's employee locker room at the lifeguard headquarters, according to the release. Upon further inspection, the officer allegedly found the USB contained images of state employees undressing. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) was immediately contacted, and an investigation began.

Pearsall, who worked for the department since 1994, was placed on leave while under investigation, prosecutors say. He subsequently announced his retirement after search warrants were served in July 2025, ABC 7 reports. He served as superintendent since 2023 — a sworn law enforcement role that is responsible for overseeing the management and operations of state parks in the Orange Coast District, including Orange County.

The hidden cameras, which captured both audio and video, were used to create multiple recordings over an 11-month period beginning in August 2024, prosecutors allege. The equipment was reportedly placed in a locker room only accessible to full-time personnel, seasonal lifeguards, office staff, maintenance and park aides. 

CHP identified at least 23 different men who had their genitals or buttocks filmed by Pearsall, none of whom consented to the recordings. Pearsall is also accused of making sexually charged comments about his employees' genitals.

“Instead of protecting his employees, Pearsall used his position to spy on the men who worked for him,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a release. “These victims had their privacy violated in such a disgusting way, and we will do everything we can to ensure they receive the justice they deserve.”

According to the District Attorney's Office, Pearsall turned himself in to authorities on June 23. He was later released by a judge on his own recognizance. If convicted on all counts, Pearsall could face a maximum sentence of 18 years and eight months in the Orange County Jail. His arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 6. 

Pearsall's attorney, Scott Thomas, declined to comment when contacted by PEOPLE. 

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, a spokesperson for the California State Parks said the department “takes these charges very seriously and has fully cooperated with law enforcement through every step of the investigation.” 

They confirmed the suspect no longer works for the department and that employee assistance and victim support services are being offered to Orange Coast District staff.