A Manhattan Beach therapist has been sentenced to nearly 17 years in federal prison for installing a hidden camera in a workplace bathroom to record minors receiving services, including therapy, and for knowingly possessing child sexual abuse material.
Joseph Toews, 31, pleaded guilty in June to one count of production of child pornography and has been in federal custody since April 14. U.S. District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. imposed the sentence on Tuesday, also ordering Toews to serve 25 years of supervised release following his incarceration.
During the sentencing hearing, Toews, wearing a white jail uniform, described his actions as "absolutely disgusting" and offered profound apologies to the victims. "I accept that I may never be offered forgiveness," he stated.
According to Toews’ plea agreement, he concealed a video recording device within a women’s bathroom stall at his workplace in January 2023. The recordings documented young girls, some of whom were his therapy clients, including those undergoing play therapy. Toews acknowledged capturing at least 11 distinct videos.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clifford Dankwa Mpare Jr. emphasized the calculated nature of the offenses during the hearing, noting that the actions were "deliberate and required a level of premeditation." The plea agreement also revealed that between January 2023 and December 2025, Toews knowingly obtained child sexual abuse material, including explicit videos of children purchased through darknet online platforms.
