A sheriff's deputy in Pennsylvania has been accused of taking photos of naked men being held in custody and sending them to his friends. Ryan Gaffney, 46, allegedly used his personal mobile phone to take the lewd snaps of prisoners while his bodycam was covered.
Allegations and evidence
Prosecutors claim Gaffney took a photo of a man who was "naked from the waist down" as he executed an arrest warrant on January 30. The man, who was suffering from a mental health crisis, was found in an upstairs bedroom trying to pull his pants up, prosecutors said.
Gaffney was caught on another deputy's bodycam removing his glove, bringing out his personal phone and pointing its camera at the man, prosecutors allege. He then showed a photo of the man's privates to female staff at the Bucks County Criminal Justice Centre, a criminal complaint shows. Gaffney then sent the image to two of his personal contacts in his phone, forensic analysis revealed.
Second photo and charges
District Attorney Joe Khan said the investigation found a second photo on Gaffney's phone which showed a naked, handcuffed male prisoner lying across a bed on December 26, 2024. Investigators allege Gaffney then sent the photo to 12 personal contacts in his phone over four separate dates.
They say Gaffney made false and misleading statements during an interview with investigators before signing a written statement denying taking the nude photo of the man suffering a mental health crisis. Gaffney, who was fired from the sheriff's office in June, is charged with official oppression, unsworn falsification to authorities, possessing an instrument of crime and obstructing the administration of law or other government function. He is set to appear for a preliminary hearing on August 10.
District attorney's statement
District Attorney Khan said in a press conference: “I want to be clear. Mr. Gaffney’s conduct is a disgrace. It is a betrayal of the trust that was placed in him by the Sheriff and by the taxpayers. The people of Bucks County must be able to trust that those who are sworn to protect them will respect their basic rights and dignity at all times, especially when they are at their most vulnerable. When a deputy sheriff breaks the law and then attempts to cover it up by lying about it, it erodes the public trust that thousands of honest public servants work daily to preserve.”
Defense response
Gaffney's attorney Paul Lang told US media: “Ryan Gaffney is a veteran and father who has spent his life serving his country and his community through law enforcement. As is often true in cases involving law enforcement, there is far more to this case than the one-sided narrative that has been presented to the public. Ryan deserves the same presumption of innocence and due process guaranteed to every citizen, and we look forward to presenting the full facts before the court.”
