Former Bucks County deputy sheriff Ryan Gaffney waived his preliminary hearing Nov. 2 as he prepares to seek entry into Veterans Court, his attorney told the Bucks County Courier Times.

Gaffney, 46, of Feasterville, faces five misdemeanor counts over allegations that he used his personal cellphone to photograph unclothed men in custody and shared the images. His case moves to county court following the hearing waiver before District Judge Mark Douple, the newspaper reported.

Defense attorney Paul Lang said Gaffney intends to apply for Veterans Court and could have an opportunity for dismissal and expungement through the program. The report does not establish that Gaffney has been accepted. Lang said he would face trial if his application is rejected.

Gaffney is an Air Force veteran who served in Iraq and worked as a deputy for three years before being fired in June, according to the Courier Times.

Admission and outcomes are conditional

The county's Veterans Treatment Court guidelines require screening and review of the applicant's case and treatment needs. Military service alone does not establish eligibility.

The Public Defender's description of the program says case outcomes are agreed before entry and can include reduced charges, placement in another diversion program or probation. Admission does not itself guarantee dismissal or expungement.

The prosecution's allegations

District Attorney Joe Khan announced charges July 20, including official oppression, unsworn falsification to authorities, possessing an instrument of crime and obstructing the administration of law or other government function.

Prosecutors allege that on Jan. 30, 2026, Gaffney photographed a partially unclothed man while deputies executed an arrest warrant in Middletown Township. They say he covered his body-worn camera, but another deputy's camera recorded his actions.

The DA's office alleges he later showed the image to civilian coworkers and sent it to two personal contacts. Investigators also recovered a photograph of another unclothed, handcuffed man from Dec. 26, 2024, which prosecutors say Gaffney sent to 12 contacts.

According to the DA's account of the complaint, Gaffney denied making and distributing the January image during an April 6 administrative interview. Prosecutors allege he supplied misleading screenshots before a court-authorized phone search recovered both images April 23.

The charges are allegations. Gaffney is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.