WINDCREST, Texas – A man named Joe Anthony Gonzales, who is 61 years old, is facing serious legal issues after authorities say he used a hidden camera to record two nude 7-year-old girls in a bathroom. This incident took place at a rental property where guests were using the backyard pool, as detailed in an arrest affidavit.
The charge against Gonzales is for possession or promotion of lewd visual material depicting a child, which is categorized as a state jail felony. This means that the law treats such actions very seriously, reflecting the importance of protecting children from exploitation.
The situation unfolded when a woman rented Gonzales’ pool through Facebook Marketplace for a few hours. While using an outdoor bathroom with her two young granddaughters, one of the girls noticed something suspicious. She alerted her grandmother that someone was taking pictures through a hole in the wall.
Upon investigation, the grandmother saw a hole, roughly the size of a brick, located in a corner of the bathroom. It was partially hidden, but she could see hands holding a camera with a large lens. This alarming discovery prompted her to call the Windcrest police.
Another witness, a 17-year-old girl who had also been at the gathering, reported that she had experienced a similarly uncomfortable situation earlier that day. While changing in the bathroom, she looked down and noticed someone watching her through the same hole.
When officers arrived, Gonzales showed them the area around the hidden camera. They found a piece of plywood covering the hole, but it was loose and could be easily moved. Investigators also noted that the wall surrounding the hole was painted a darker shade of blue compared to the rest of the bathroom, suggesting it had been tampered with. Additionally, the decorative bars on a nearby table had been removed specifically in front of the hole, raising further suspicion.
Gonzales denied the allegations when questioned by the police. However, he allowed them to search his phone, where they discovered more than 300 deleted photographs. Among these were concerning videos of a minor at a track meet, which included footage of the girl bending over, raising more red flags about his behavior.
Interestingly, Gonzales admitted to owning a Canon camera that matched the description of the device used in the alleged recordings. During his interview with the police, he acknowledged that he found teenage girls attractive but insisted that he would never act on those feelings. This claim does little to alleviate the concerns surrounding his actions and the severe consequences he now faces.
Cases like this highlight the critical importance of vigilance and protection for children in our communities. It’s essential for parents and guardians to be aware of their surroundings and to ensure that children are safe from potential threats, especially in situations involving strangers or public spaces.
For more information on child safety and protective measures, resources like the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) offer valuable guidance.
