All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Riverton, WY) – 23-year-old Riverton man Hunter DeVries has been charged with five counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree, according to charging documents filed on October 28.
Each count carries a maximum sentence of 50 years imprisonment, and a minimum of 25 years.
On October 25 of this year, a Riverton Police Department officer was dispatched to a Riverton residence for a report of a 12-year-old juvenile subject who had been sexually abused, according to the affidavit filed on October 28.
The victim went on to tell the officer that they had been “raped” by DeVries, whom they had known for about two to three years.
The victim stated that the most recent sexual assault had occurred as recently as “a few weeks ago,” and then went on to tell the officer the specific details of the sexual assaults.
RPD later made contact with DeVries, who agreed to meet with investigators at the station.
The affidavit goes on to state that DeVries “admitted to having engaged in sexual behavior” with the victim.
A follow-up interview was conducted with DeVries the next day, where he went on to admit that he had sexually assaulted the victim at least 10-12 times since December of 2023.
A warrant was issued for DeVries’ arrest on October 28, and his preliminary hearing at the Riverton Circuit Court was ultimately waived before the case was bound for District Court.
As of this writing, further hearings have yet to be scheduled.
DeVries, who was a candidate in the 2024 Election for the Riverton School Board, officially withdrew from the race on Friday, October 25, which County 10 was able to confirm with Fremont County Clerk Julie Freese on November 1.
Freese shared that due to the timing of the charges/withdrawal, his name will still appear on the ballot on Election Day, but any votes for DeVries “will not be considered,” nor will any absentee/mail-in votes that have already been cast.
County 10 will provide updates on his case, which can be viewed here.
(Editor’s Note: Out of respect to the victim and their anonymity during this case, County 10 chose not to include certain details from the case filings that could lead to the revealing of their identity.)