Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
A former Bucks County sheriff’s deputy has been accused of using his personal cellphone to take and distribute photos of naked prisoners.
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Ryan Gaffney, 47, of Lower Southampton Township, was charged Monday with two counts of official oppression and single counts of unsworn falsification to authorities, obstruction of the administration of law, and possession of an instrument of crime with intent. He was charged via summons.
The charges came after a months-long investigation by the Bucks County Detectives that began in late March.
Gaffney surreptitiously photographed two male prisoners in various states of undress while executing arrest warrants on separate occasions, according to Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan.
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The investigation was launched on March 31 after the sheriff’s office received a complaint regarding an arrest made on Jan. 30 at a residence on the 1300 block of Frosty Hollow Road in Middletown Township’s Levittown.
Five uniformed deputies were on scene to arrest a man, who appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis, detectives said.
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Body-worn camera footage from another deputy showed Gaffney covering his own camera with his hand to obstruct the recording. He then allegedly used his personal iPhone to photograph the man, who was naked from the waist down while trying to put on pants, detectives said.
Witness statements indicated Gaffney later showed the image of the prisoner’s genitalia “in jest” to female civilian employees and other deputies at the Bucks County Justice Center, detectives said.
As part of the investigation, detectives later uncovered a second incident dating back to December 26, 2024, according to court papers.
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A forensic examination of Gaffney’s phone revealed a photo of a second handcuffed male prisoner, who was posed naked and face-down across a bed, detectives said.
Data extractions revealed that Gaffney sent the photos to his contacts, including one photo that was shared to 12 different numbers, detectives said.
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The one man in a photo later told investigators he never consented to the photograph and was unaware it was taken, detectives said.
Investigators also allege that Gaffney actively tried to derail the probe into the photos.
According to court papers, Gaffney provided a signed, written statement denying that he used his phone for anything other than texting his wife a voluntary administrative interview on April 6. His lawyer also submitted screenshots of his phone’s photo library and “recently deleted” folders in an attempt to prove the photos did not exist.
A court-ordered forensic search later found both images remained active on his device, detectives said.
“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,” said District Attorney Joe Khan. “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.”
County personnel records obtained via a Right To Know request show that Gaffney’s employment with the sheriff’s office ended on June 22. He was hired by the office in 2023.
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“Former Deputy Gaffney’s conduct was beyond unacceptable and not in any way representative of the highly professional deputies who serve this county with integrity every day,” Bucks County Sheriff Danny Ceisler said in a statement. “I commend the Bucks County Detectives for their excellent investigative work in this matter.”
Paul Lang, Gaffney’s attorney, said the case will have its day in court.
“My client, Ryan Gaffney, is a veteran and father who has spent his life serving his country and his community through law enforcement. 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. These are allegations, not facts, and we look forward to answering them where they belong, in a courtroom,” Lang said.
Gaffney previously spent a decade as a police officer in Lower Moreland Township in Montgomery County and worked part-time for the Penndel Borough Police Department. He also served as a part-time officer for the Hulmeville Borough Police Department.
The defendant’s current status with Hulmeville Borough remains unclear, but a source noted he is not actively working there, and his name has been removed from the borough’s website. Borough officials did not comment.
In a 2023 Hulmeville Borough newsletter, Gaffney was quoted as saying his favorite motto is, “Always tell the truth and take responsibility for your actions.”
Gaffney is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in August before District Judge Mark Douple.
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.