Search goes on for man facing trial

Authorities in Okanogan County are still searching for a missing 35-year-old man whose horse, truck and trailer were found July 10 near a boat launch outside Elmer City. The man was scheduled to stand trial Monday on kidnapping and attempted rape charges in Spokane County Superior Court.

Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers said the search for Tony W. Desautel has been scaled back, with just a few sheriff’s boats out looking for Desautel.

“We’re concentrating on the river,” he said. “We’re trying to see if it’s a hoax or if it’s staged.”

Rogers stood by earlier statements that there was no indication of foul play.

Desautel was last seen driving in the area about 4 p.m. on July 9. He is familiar with the area and has been riding his horses there for years, authorities say.

Rogers said deputies were notified when a neighbor recognized Desautel’s horse splashing in the water, still saddled, but without a rider.

A press release listed his address as both Coulee Dam and Spokane.

Authorities, including the Colville Confederated Tribes’ police and parks departments, and Okanogan County Search and Rescue, began searching on land and in the water July 10. Police have used aircraft, all-terrain vehicles, dogs and divers.

Desautel is accused of imprisoning a woman at gunpoint at his home. He then tied her to a bed and attempted to rape her before driving her to a wooded area about eight miles north of Grand Coulee Dam, court documents allege.

Documents allege that Desautel eventually untied the woman, apologized, gave her the keys to his truck and told her to leave. The woman told police she heard a gunshot and continued on, but used a cell phone to call tribal police. Officers later found Desautel alive with a bullet wound in his chest.