Brian Littrell Sues Florida Sheriff Over Ongoing Beach Trespass
Okay, I’ll explain, but try to keep up. Brian Littrell of the Backstreet Boys has officially taken legal action against the sheriff’s office in Lee County, Florida, after repeated beach trespassing incidents went unchecked. According to court filings dated November 2023, Littrell’s complaint alleges that deputies repeatedly refused to intervene when strangers wandered onto the private walkway leading to his beachfront property.
Littrell, best known for his role as the tenor vocalist of the chart-topping boy band, and his wife, Leigh-Ann Littrell, claim they purchased their coastal residence in late 2021 hoping for quiet family retreats. Instead, they say strangers have strolled onto the narrow path accessing the shoreline, set up beach chairs, and even camped overnight. The suit names Sheriff Carmine Marceno and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office as defendants and seeks a court order compelling law enforcement to enforce trespass laws, along with unspecified damages for “emotional distress” and “invasion of privacy.”
In the 12-page complaint, Littrell’s attorney cites at least seven documented incidents between April and October of this year. One affidavit, filed by an eyewitness neighbor, describes two teenagers blasting music on top of Littrell’s dune walkover at 2 a.m. Another report references strangers building a bonfire near Broward Beach access, just steps from the Littrells’ property line. When deputies were called, Littrell claims they either cited a lack of clear signage or said they lacked instructions to remove beachgoers from what they considered public access.
People Magazine confirms Littrell’s side of the story, quoting him as saying, “We tried to resolve this informally, but nothing changed. My family deserves privacy and safety on our own land.” A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office told The New York Post that deputies are “committed to upholding public access laws” and that any claims of inaction are “mischaracterizations.” The office has not yet filed a legal response to the suit.
This lawsuit raises broader questions about the balance between public beach rights and private property protections in coastal Florida communities. State statutes guarantee public beach usage up to the mean high-water line, but private landowners often own the walkovers that lead from inland neighborhoods to the shore. Legal experts, interviewed by Page Six, say the outcome could set an important precedent for other waterfront homeowners frustrated by unauthorized visitors.
Until the court sets a date for a preliminary injunction hearing, Littrell’s plea for enforcement remains in limbo. Beachgoers and homeowners alike will be watching to see if the sheriff’s office is ordered to patrol private walkways more aggressively. Meanwhile, Littrell’s fans might be surprised to learn that even pop legends have to sue for a little peace and quiet at the beach. Well, now you finally understand!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, People Magazine
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
