A Bucks County family counselor will face trial after waiving his preliminary hearing Wednesday on charges he secretly recorded patients and staff in the bathroom of his former Quakertown office, and even recorded counseling sessions with hidden cameras, some targeting minors.
Jonathan Elliot Moyer, 55, of Alburtis, is accused of 12 counts of interception of oral communications, one count of possession of an instrument of crime, and 13 counts of invasion of privacy. Charges were amended prior to the hearing to include additional victims.
Authorities have now identified a total of 21 victims, including staff members and vulnerable individuals seeking counseling services. Of the 12 individuals who fell victim to wiretapping-related charges, three were minors. In one disturbing instance, Moyer allegedly positioned a camera to capture an “up-the-shorts” video of an unsuspecting young girl during a counseling session.
Moyer is scheduled for formal arraignment in the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas on June 30.
“The actions of the defendant represent a profound betrayal of trust, particularly impacting vulnerable individuals seeking help,” said District Attorney Jennifer Schorn. “Our office is committed to ensuring that those who violate the privacy and safety of others are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. We stand with the victims and will pursue justice diligently.”
The investigation began on March 3, 2025, when a Bucks County District Attorney’s Office detective received information about an electronic storage device containing videos. One video showed a man, later identified as Moyer, setting up a recording device in his Quakertown office. The device also contained videos of unsuspecting females, including one who appeared to be young, using the bathroom.
Forensic examinations of seized devices, including a charging block camera from the Quakertown office bathroom, a key fob camera found on Moyer, and a microSD card from his residence, uncovered numerous additional videos. These recordings depicted more individuals using the bathroom and also captured surreptitious video and oral interceptions of individuals, some of whom were in counseling sessions with Moyer. All identified victims were unaware of the recordings, with some victims captured multiple times.
In one video involving a minor, Moyer is seen setting up a camera in his office just prior to a session, positioning it low with an upward-facing vantage. During the session, Moyer conducted an “exercise” that directed the minor to a specific spot in the room, directly in view of the camera. Detectives noted the minor female was wearing shorts, suggesting Moyer’s intent was to obtain an “up-the-shorts” video.
A total of 13 separate individuals, including one minor, fell victim to invasion of privacy related charges, with investigators noting over 20 separate videos of victims using the bathroom.
The investigation also revealed Moyer frequently requested urine samples from individuals, even those not there for addiction-related services, to “validate” drug tests. In two separate videos, Moyer can be heard soliciting two different female victims to provide urine samples. One victim politely protested, having already provided a sample, while another succumbed to Moyer’s request and provided a sample in a small cup, all of which was clearly captured on video.
Through interviews and investigation, authorities learned that multiple victims in this case were also victims of past sexual trauma. In some instances,
Moyer was aware of this past trauma and the reason they were seeking counseling services from him. Moyer was the program director for Empower Life Coaching & Counseling, with offices in Bally, Berks County, and at 523 W. Broad Street in Quakertown. His areas of practice included drug and alcohol, anxiety, parent-child interaction, and family sessions.
The investigation is being conducted by Bucks County Detective Phil Kulan and Quakertown Police Detective Ryan Naugle, with assistance from Berks County Detectives, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and the Horsham Township Police Department. Chief Deputy District Attorney Kristin M. McElroy is prosecuting the case.
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