Former Bucks County deputy sheriff charged with allegedly photographing naked prisoners

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- A former Bucks County deputy sheriff is accused of photographing naked prisoners while they were in custody and sharing the images with co-workers and friends, according to Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan.

Ryan Gaffney was charged with multiple offenses, including official oppression and possession of an instrument of crime.

Prosecutors allege he recorded the images to humiliate and ridicule the victims and then lied to conceal his actions.

The district attorney's office identified two alleged incidents.

In one case, Khan said a man was being arrested at his Middletown home following a mental health crisis and was naked from the waist down when Gaffney allegedly took a photograph.

"Deputy Sheriff Gaffney removed his right glove, pulled out his personal cell phone, opened up the camera app, and pointed the lens right at the man, taking a picture of him with his genitals exposed," Khan said.

According to prosecutors, Gaffney also allegedly sent photographs of naked criminal suspects to co-workers and personal contacts.

Gaffney has been relieved of his duties.

In a statement released earlier in the day, Gaffney's attorney, Paul Lang, criticized the district attorney's handling of the case.

"Unlike the district attorney's office, I will address this case in court, not through one-sided social media posts or press conferences. Ryan Gaffney deserves due process, not trial by publicity," the statement said.

Khan said investigators believe the alleged acts were intended as a form of humiliation.

"The evidence that we have is that he thought this was funny. That it was a joke to humiliate people when they were at their most vulnerable... And it's not funny," Khan said.

The second case identified by the district attorney involves a handcuffed, naked prisoner lying on a bed.

Gaffney, a military veteran who served in Iraq and previously worked for several local police departments, is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 10.