(Palo Alto County, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Public Safety reports an Emmetsburg Man was charged with 1st Degree Murder, in connection to Palo Alto County 2020 Homicide Case.

Authorities say on the evening of February 28, 2022, members of the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office along with Agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation arrested 22-year old Brice Patrick Colling, of Emmetsburg. Colling was arrested without incident.  He was charged with Murder in the First Degree in connection with the July 22, 2020 murder of Rollin (RJ) Bontrager, in rural Palo Alto County.

Patrick Colling

Allan Michael Schwidder, formerly of Emmetsburg was previously arrested, charged and plead to 2nd degree murder on March 12, 2021 for his role in the death of Bontrager.

Officials say “The case has and continues to be, investigated by the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Emmet County Sheriff’s Office, Emmetsburg Police Department, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.”