Payson Roundup

Walter Devaney

On June 10, three officers with the Gila County Sheriff’s Office notified around 35 neighbors in Star Valley that a level three sex offender will be living in the general area.

Walter D. Devaney, 44, was convicted in 1997 of child abuse and two counts of indecent exposure. He currently resides at 116 Orion #4.

A level three offender represents a high or very high sex offense risk or very high general recidivism risk.

Devaney’s victims were his ex-girlfriend’s 7- and 9-year-old boy and girl. Devaney served approximately five years in the Arizona Department of Corrections.

Devaney is not wanted by any law enforcement agency and is compliant with registration requirements.

According to the sheriff’s office, this notification is not intended to increase fear; rather, it is their belief that an informed community is a safer community. Citizen abuse of this information to harass, intimidate or threaten sex offenders will not be tolerated, the release states.

The sheriff’s office is releasing this information pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 13-3825, the Community Notification on Sex Offenders Law.

Contact a Gila County Sheriff’s Office sex offender registration deputy with any questions at (928) 474-2208 or (928) 425-4449.