Manhattan Beach Predator: Therapist Charged For Inappropriately Filming Young Girls In Public Washrooms

A therapist from Manhattan Beach is facing federal prosecution after being charged with producing and possessing child sexual abuse material. Authorities said the suspect was indicted by a federal grand jury and remains in federal custody.

According to court documents, the accused worked closely with children and families through his position at Neuro Wellness Spa, where he served as a marriage and family therapist associate. Prosecutors allege he exploited his access to minors and young adults while committing the offenses.

FBI Los Angeles confirmed the indictment of Joseph Toews through a statement on social media. Authorities alleged that the man surreptitiously recorded girls between the ages of 8 and 12 inside the public washroom at his workplace. He reportedly placed a hidden camera inside a toilet stall that recorded the actions of every woman who entered it.

Investigators said they recovered at least 11 videos showing eight girls and 23 adult women with intimate areas of their bodies exposed.

Authorities also alleged that Joseph Toews possessed child sexual abuse material that he reportedly purchased through a dark web website. According to investigators, the purchases were made using a concealed Bitcoin account dating back to 2024.

Federal agents further stated that Toews possessed multiple electronic devices containing videos depicting child sexual abuse, including material prosecutors allege he produced himself..

To clarify the allegations, Neuro Wellness Spa stated that it does not treat non-adult patients. The organization said Joseph Toews had worked there for less than two years before his arrest.

According to the company, when the FBI Los Angeles executed a search warrant at the Manhattan Beach office, investigators did not recover any hidden camera recordings from the premises. The footage at issue in the case allegedly dates back to 2023, when Toews worked at a different clinic.

A spokesperson for Neuro Wellness Spa said, “Neuro Wellness Spa was shocked when it learned about the arrest of a former employee who worked at the company as an associate therapist for less than two years. NWS does not treat any patients under the age of twelve and during his limited time there he never saw any non-adult patients.”

Upon his arrest, prosecutors underlined that Joseph Toews exploited the trust of his patients as their therapist. His actions were defined as criminal as they had victimized children in their most vulnerable state.

Assistant Attorney Clifford Mpare added, “Your therapist is one of the people you hope to confide in more than almost anyone. To use that position to exploit young children for personal gain is just horrific.”

The FBI has now urged victims of Toews to step forward and testify to his wrongdoings as an effort to help the investigation. Their statement read, “A photograph of Toews is being released publicly in order to advance the investigation. Anyone who believes they are aware of such activity by Toews or believes they have information about a possible victim is urged to contact the FBI at 310 477-6565 or online at tips.fbi.gov.”

In the meantime, as the therapist continues to remain in custody, he is expected to plead guilty to his crimes in the coming weeks. He could face up to thirty years in federal prison for the same.