DeVaney denied bond by judge
ATHENS — A former officer with the Russellville Fire Department will be held in jail until his next court date after a Limestone County district court judge denied his bond request on Thursday last week.
Donald Andrew DeVaney, 52, of Russellville was arrested and charged March 15 with two counts of firstdegree human trafficking, two counts of electronic solicitation of a child, and two counts of traveling to meet a minor for an unlawful sex act.
During DeVaney’s preliminary hearing on Tuesday last week, it was revealed that he responded to an advertisement on a website for the purposes of having sex, according to court records.
“It is clear that the Defendant attempted to give monetary consideration to engage in any sexual conduct with a minor or an individual he believes to be a minor,” Judge R. Gray West said in his ruling on Thursday.
Since first-degree human trafficking carries a range of punishment up to life in prison and the “extreme weight of evidence against” DeVaney, it makes him a likely flight risk, West ruled.
The advertisement led DeVaney to have a conversation with a decoy via text message. During the conversation DeVaney asked how much it would cost him for two girls, according to court records.
The decoy informed him that she had her friend with her and that it would cost $100 for “an explicit” sex act with both of them.
The decoy then told DeVaney that they both were 15 years old. He then asked the decoy if they were law enforcement and if it was a “set up.” They denied being law enforcement, according to court records.
DeVaney remained skeptical and had a phone conversation with the decoys, according to court records.
In the recorded conversation, DeVaney is heard saying, “I’m taking a chance.” One of the decoys responded, “No cops … We will give you the time of your life.”
DeVaney then responded, “Send me the address,” according to court records.
DeVaney then traveled to the agreed upon location in Limestone County and was taken into custody when he entered the residence. When he was searched, he was found to have $503 in cash in his possession, according to court records.
DeVaney was one of nine people who were arrested in mid-March in an operation targeting child exploitation by the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office.
His cases have been bound over to a grand jury.
