Arrest made after Washington man’s body found in lake

The body of a 27-year-old Washington man was found floating in Virgin Lake in Palo Alto County on July 22.

The body was identified as Rollin J. Bontrager. The cause of death is pending testing results following an autopsy by the Medical Examiner's Office. Bontrater's body was discovered about 25 feet from shore by a passerby who notified authorities.

On Friday, law enforcement arrested Allan Michael Dean Schwidder, 29, of Emmetsburg on a charge of first-degree murder. The arrest followed a July 31 search of two residences in Emmetsburg. Three vehicles were also searched and numerous items seized, according to a release by the Palo Alto Sheriff's Office.

Schwidder is being held in lieu of a $1 million cash-only bond and is being held in the Palo Alto County Jail.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the state Department of Natural Resources are assisting in the investigation.

Anyone that may have information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office at 712-852-3535.