"This has been our number one department priority, but it won't be nearly the same priority now," the sheriff said. "We're not done with this, even though we know where he is. This is still in the investigative stage and we've yet to determine whether any criminal or civil charges will be filed against him."

Smith said he would like to recover the cost of the search effort from Butas.

"Our volunteers are very disappointed he did this. It's good news that he's alive, but it cost us about $20,000 for the week's search," Smith added. "That's for 1,100 man hours, and it doesn't count the aircraft and other equipment and expenses."

Butas' mother, Kathleen Butas, arrived in St. George late last week from her home in Ohio to assist in the search, and said her son was an experienced hiker and rock climber.

Butas, who is married with three children, is an ex-Marine who served in Operation Desert Storm. His wife and children apparently moved back to Ohio a week ago to be with other family members. Butas was scheduled to reunite with his family in December.

Smith said Butas' parents were "devastated" when they learned the news of their son's location.

"They were in tears. They couldn't believe it. They apologized over and over again that their son would do that to them and to the taxpayers of Washington County," he said. "They said they have no idea why their son would go to Australia like this."

Smith said investigators would like to speak with Butas.

"He obviously has something going on with his life," he said. "Just when you think you've seen it all, along comes something like this."

---

E-mail: nperkins@desnews.com; wleonard@desnews.com