FARGO, N.D. (AP) – A prisoner transport company says it should
not have to pay costs to farmers who helped flush an escaped
convict from a North Dakota cornfield.
     A federal lawsuit against Extradition Transport of America asks
a judge to order restitution for several law enforcement agencies
and the farmers who formed a posse for the October 2011 search.

     Authorities say about $95,000 was spent recapturing Joseph
Megna, who was being transported from Florida to Washington state.

     The feds say the action is possible under a 2000 federal law
passed following the escape in New Mexico of an inmate convicted of
murdering an 11-year-old Fargo girl, Jeanna North.
     The company says in a response filed Wednesday that the federal
court does not have jurisdiction in the case and it should be
thrown out.