Backstreet Boys’ Brian Littrell Files $50,000 Lawsuit Over Beach Trespass

Brian Littrell, a member of the Backstreet Boys, has initiated legal action against Carolyn Barrington Hill, alleging that she trespassed on his private beach in Florida. The lawsuit, filed on June 19, 2023, seeks $50,000 in damages and accuses Hill of repeated harassment at Littrell’s property, valued at approximately $3.8 million.

The singer, aged 50, and his wife, Leighanne Littrell, aged 56, claim that Hill, 67, entered their property at Santa Rosa Beach without authorization. According to the couple, she was caught sunbathing on multiple occasions and has confronted their property manager aggressively. The Littrells assert that despite putting up numerous “no trespassing” signs and using beach furniture to mark their property boundaries, their attempts to secure their space have been unsuccessful.

The civil lawsuit states that Hill has “set out to antagonize, bully, and harass the Littrell family.” They allege that she not only set up her own beach furniture on their land but also shouted profanities at their property manager when asked to leave. Furthermore, the Littrells claim that Hill recorded them without their consent and encouraged others to join her in what they describe as unlawful behavior.

The couple has taken additional steps to protect their property, including hiring private security. However, they ultimately sought assistance from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, whom they are also suing. The lawsuit against the sheriff’s office alleges a failure to uphold the Littrells’ private property rights, as detailed in court documents obtained by The Mirror US.

The Florida Constitution designates all land seaward of the mean high-water line as public, including wet sand, while dry sand above this line is often privately owned. This legal distinction plays a significant role in the ongoing dispute.

In May, an incident involving Hill was captured on video, showing her distressed after being asked to relocate from her spot on the beach. During the encounter, deputies attempted to diffuse the situation, with one officer expressing his own disagreement with the concept of private beaches. Hill alleged that the Littrells had threatened her, claiming one instance involved an electric drill, stating, “I’ve been threatened by him, and next time he gets four feet away from me with that drill, I’m bringing out pepper spray.”

The property manager later acknowledged the incident with the drill, clarifying that it was not intended as a weapon but as a precautionary measure against Hill’s repeated confrontations.

Hill has responded to the lawsuit by filing a motion to dismiss, arguing that the complaint is “facially deficient” and infringes on her constitutional right to access the local beach in Walton County, Florida. A hearing for this motion is scheduled for next month.

After initiating the lawsuit against the sheriff’s office, a representative for Littrell emphasized their desire for the peaceful enjoyment of their property. The representative criticized the sheriff’s department for allegedly allowing trespassers to occupy the Littrells’ backyard, stating that the family only seeks to reclaim their rights. The spokesperson concluded, “We are not looking to harm anyone. We just want our property back.”

As the legal proceedings unfold, both parties are poised for a courtroom battle that highlights the complexities of private beach ownership and public access rights.