A former Pennsylvania sheriff's deputy is accused of secretly photographing naked men in custody, sharing the images with co-workers and personal contacts, and then lying to investigators to cover up his alleged misconduct.
Ryan Gaffney, 46, who was fired from the Bucks County Sheriff's Office in June, was charged on July 20 after prosecutors alleged he abused his authority to “humiliate and ridicule inmates in his custody,” Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan stated at a news conference on Monday, July 20.
The criminal investigation began last spring following a complaint to the Bucks County Sheriff's Office. The complaint alleges that Gaffney and four other uniformed officers executed an arrest warrant at the home of a man suffering from a mental health crisis on January 30.
While covering his body camera, Gaffney allegedly used his personal cell phone to photograph the man, who was naked from the waist down.
The Prosecutor's Office claims that body camera footage from another officer present in the room shows Gaffney pointing the camera lens directly at the man.
Investigators also allege that Gaffney allegedly sent 12 personal contacts a photograph of another naked and handcuffed inmate in December 2024.
Prosecutors say that during a voluntary administrative interview on April 6, Gaffney made false verbal statements before signing a written statement denying that he used his personal cell phone to create and distribute the Jan. 30 image described in the criminal complaint.
"I want to be clear. Mr. Gaffney's conduct is a disgrace. It is a betrayal of the trust placed in him by the Sheriff and the taxpayers," Khan stated at the press conference. “The people of Bucks County must be able to trust that those sworn to protect them will respect their basic rights and dignity at all times, especially when they are at their most vulnerable.”
Gaffney's attorney, Paul Lang, told People magazine: "Ryan Gaffney is a veteran and father who has dedicated his life to serving his country and community through law enforcement."
Lang added: "As is often the case in cases involving law enforcement, this case is much more complex than the partial version that has been presented to the public. Ryan deserves the same presumption of innocence and due process that is guaranteed to every citizen, and we look forward to presenting all the facts to the court."
Gaffney's preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 10.
