Ex-Russellville firefighter’s bond hearing rescheduled

RUSSELLVILLE — A former sergeant with the Russellville Fire Department will have his pretrial detention hearing on Friday after the Limestone County district judge approved his motion on Tuesday.

Donald Andrew DeVaney, 52, of Russellville was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree human trafficking, two counts of electronic solicitation of a child and two counts of traveling to meet a minor for an unlawful sex act.

His Aniah’s Law hearing, in which District Judge R. Gray West would determine the cost of DeVaney’s bond, was initially set for Tuesday.

DeVaney was one of nine people who were caught in an operation by the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, which was targeting child exploitation.

He is currently being held in the Limestone Correctional Facility.

DeVaney was fired by the city of Russellville on Monday during its city council meeting.

The council was joined by retired Fire Chief Joe Mansell during an executive session, which took about 15 minutes.

Once the council returned, Mansell made the recommendation to terminate DeVaney, who had been with the fire department almost 20 years.

The council unanimously approved Mansell’s recommendation.

Current Fire Chief Randy Seal and Mayor David Grissom declined to comment.

Mansell said all comments would have to come from City Attorney Danny McDowell, who did not attend the city council meeting Monday night. His law partner Eddie Beason stood in McDowell’s place.

McDowell did not immediately respond to the TimesDaily seeking comment regarding the actions by the city.

María Camp of the Franklin County Times contributed to this report.