On Thursday, October 23, 2025, NorthcentralPA.com reported that Bradford County Judge Jonathan Wilcox is facing suspension following allegations of misconduct. A 135-page complaint filed by the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board on October 10 details the accusations against Wilcox, including an inappropriate relationship with a defendant involved in a harassment case where the victim was her husband.
The complaint contains 91 pages of text messages allegedly exchanged between Judge Wilcox and the defendant. The defendant initially encountered Wilcox while discussing the charges against her in the harassment case. Her husband was also charged with harassment stemming from the same incident.
According to the complaint, Wilcox initiated personal disclosures in the text exchanges and subsequently arranged to meet the defendant for coffee. Over an eight-day period, from January 23 to January 29, Wilcox allegedly referred to the defendant as his “soul mate” and persistently sought a serious relationship with her. The text messaging reportedly ceased after the defendant informed Wilcox that she had discussed their developing relationship with her therapist.
The Judicial Conduct Board’s complaint asserts that Wilcox violated the Rules Governing Standards of Conduct of Magisterial District Judges and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In conjunction with the complaint, a petition for interim suspension without pay has been submitted and is currently awaiting a decision from the Judicial Conduct Board.
Judge Wilcox has served as a judge in Bradford County since 2000. He began an indefinite leave of absence in August, according to a report by The Daily Review.
Source: NorthcentralPA.com
