# Cop Accused of Taking Nude Photos of Prisoners Deputy sheriff caught sharing inappropriate photos taken on duty. - **Source:** [Ars Technica - All content](https://brifing.si/source/b728770c-8dda-457a-8986-84879c9fc42c) - **Published:** 2026-07-20 - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/92f6d0f1-4dd9-4014-8f9a-4bb9883b7116 ## The Scandal Unfolds A Pennsylvania deputy sheriff was accused of taking photos of nude prisoners during duty. Ryan Gaffney allegedly shared these photos with female coworkers. The complaint originated from an incident involving a man in a mental health crisis, where Gaffney was suspected of photographing the detainee. ## Incident Details On January 30, 2026, five deputies responded to a call involving a naked man. While the man was persuaded to put on pants, Gaffney allegedly took a photo of his genitals and shared it 'as a joke' with a coworker. A similar incident was reported in late 2024. ## Evidence Emerges Investigators reviewed bodycam footage, which showed Gaffney covering his camera and retrieving his iPhone. Other deputies' cameras captured him pointing his phone at the detainee with the camera app open. This evidence led to a search warrant for his phone. ## Phone Forensic Analysis A forensic search of Gaffney's phone revealed the alleged nude photos. Metadata confirmed they were taken with his device and matched timestamps from bodycam footage. Gaffney had shared the photos with multiple contacts over several dates. ## Defense and Contradictions Gaffney claimed he only used his phone to text his wife. His lawyer provided screenshots showing the photos were absent from his library. However, forensic experts recovered the photos from deleted files, contradicting his defense. ## Outcome and Implications Gaffney was fired and charged with official oppression, falsification, and obstruction. The DA emphasized that such misconduct erodes public trust. This case highlights the critical role of surveillance in holding law enforcement accountable. ## Sources covering this story - https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/07/cop-charged-with-covering-bodycam-to-photograph-naked-prisoners/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._