Florida's sheriff office accused of beach encroachment by Backstreet Boys' Brian Littrell files a lawsuit
In a recent turn of events, Brian Littrell, a renowned member of the Backstreet Boys, has taken legal action against the Walton County Sheriff's Office in Florida. The lawsuit, filed by Littrell and his company, BLB Beach Hut, LLC, seeks to protect his multimillion-dollar beachfront property from persistent trespassers.
The dispute stems from a longstanding issue in Walton County, where private property owners and beach-loving members of the public have been at odds. The petition claims that efforts to mark Littrell's property as private, including "No Trespassing" signs, the placement of chairs, umbrellas, and small tables, have been ignored, leading to daily harassment by trespassers.
Florida law states that any sand on a beach below the high tide water mark is public. However, some counties, including Walton, have local ordinances allowing public use of private beaches for certain activities. A 2018 Florida law, stemming from a Walton County ordinance, blocked local governments from passing ordinances dealing with public beach access until certain conditions were met.
Recently, Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation into law that restored control over public beach access to local authorities. This change this year could potentially impact Littrell's case.
Littrell and his family have had to hire private security due to the persistent harassment by trespassers. The exact nature of the harassment is not specified in the provided information. It is alleged that the Walton County Sheriff's Office has refused requests to remove trespassers or charge them from Littrell's beachfront property.
The lawsuit requests a writ of mandamus compelling the sheriff's department to enforce trespassing laws on his property. Littrell described the situation as escalating and expressed frustration that the sheriff’s office is shirking its duty to protect private property rights in Walton County.
The Walton County Sheriff's Office has declined to comment on the pending litigation but reiterated its policy of professionalism and customer service in responding to calls. As of the current date, July 18, 2025, the dispute remains unresolved with the lawsuit recently filed and no public indication that the sheriff’s department has changed its stance or enforcement practices.
Property records show that Littrell's company purchased a property in Santa Rosa Beach, Walton County, Florida, in 2023 for $3.8 million. The Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend, expected to draw a crowd of 150,000 people, is set to take place nearby, adding to the complexity of the issue.
This case highlights the ongoing debate between private property rights and public access to beaches in Florida, a state known for its beautiful coastline and tourist attractions.
In light of the upcoming Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend, which is expected to attract 150,000 people, the ongoing dispute between Brian Littrell and the Walton County Sheriff's Office regarding his multimillion-dollar beachfront property in Santa Rosa Beach becomes even more complex. Given that Seattle is known for its entertainment scene and the presence of celebrities, one might consider the similarities in the issues surrounding private property rights and public access in these diverse locations.
