Man Arrested in Bathroom Sex Sting Sues Manhattan Beach Police

A then 20-year-old man arrested during a bathroom sex sting conducted by the Manhattan Beach Police Department is suing for $5 million in federal court, according to court documents.

Charles Samuel Couch, who lived in Hawthorne at the time of the March 2012 sex sting, claims that he was falsely targeted by officers and that his civil rights were violated when his name and photograph were released to the media.

Eighteen men were arrested during the operation in public restrooms on the beach at Marine Avenue. The sting took place after Los Angeles County Lifeguards contacted police asking for assistance after their efforts to stem the bathroom activity failed.

Couch's name and photo, along with the 17 other men, was released to the media on April 3 and published on Manhattan Beach Patch, the Daily Breeze and other media outlets.

On April 10, 2012, police issued Couch a detention certificate that "stated that there was insufficient evidence of lewd conduct or child endangerment," according to court documents. 

Couch says he was in the restroom while acting as a paid caregiver for a young boy. The boy's parents vouched for him.  

Couch's lawsuit against the city of Manhattan Beach, Police Chief Eve R. Irvine and detectives was filed Oct. 11. He is seeking damages for violation of the 4th and 14th Amendments and makes a Monell claim. He seeks punitive damages against Manhattan Beach Police Det. John Nasori for committing an alleged perjury, said to have happened when the detective gave testimony under oath about Couch's laptop.

Couch is represented by Bruce Nickerson of San Carlos.

Here's a link to a TV interview with Couch.

Read more about the lawsuit and what Couch and his attorney say happened on the Daily Breeze here and on Courthouse News Service.

Here's the lawsuit.

• Related: Locals Arrested in MB Bathroom Sting