Former Beverly Hills therapist arrested for allegedly distributing child porn
A man who used to be a marriage and family therapist in Beverly Hills is facing federal charges for allegedly distributing child pornography.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office says 49-year-old Ron Gad was arrested in San Luis Obispo in October of 2022 after authorities say he exchanged sexually explicit online chats with who he thought was a 13-year-old girl but was instead, an undercover officer.
Gad reportedly drove over 180 miles from the Los Angeles area to a park in San Luis Obispo where he believed he would meet the 13-year-old girl.
Officers spotted Gad and pulled him over in a traffic stop to arrest him. During his arrest, several digital devices found in his car were seized by authorities.
Upon further investigation, officials said they discovered evidence that Gad had distributed child sex abuse materials and had communicated with suspected minors. Gad’s internet search history also showed references to sex with minors.
According to the indictment, Gad also distributed child sex abuse material involving a child aged 12 or under on the internet and shipped the material to other states in December of 2021.
Gad, whose marriage and family therapist license expired in November 2023, will be arraigned on May 3. If convicted, he faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.
Anyone with additional information on this case is encouraged to call the Homeland Security Investigations tip line at 866-347-2423.
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