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City, N.D. – A convicted sex offender who escaped from a prison transport van in October at a rest stop near Oriska is now on his way back to Washington State to face charges of child molestation against him.

Joseph Megna captured in cornfield. Photo by Steve Urness.

30-year-old Joseph Matthew Megna changed his plea to guilty today an escape and eluding charge in Barnes County.

Megna bolted from a “Extradition Transport of America” prison transport van after one of the employees left a side door unlocked.

Swat team members from Jamestown help search a cornfield north of rest stop shortly after Megna runs from a prison transport van. Photos by Steve Urness.

Chief Deputy Don Fiebiger says Barnes County Sheriff Randy McClaflin transported Megna to the Stutsman County Jail on Wednesday.

Fiebiger says a different prison transport company, CSI Inc; will be taking Megna back to Washington State.

Megna was sentenced in Barnes County to time already served which was exactly 3 months since his October 5 capture.

On that day, authorities got the landowners permission, Dennis Smith, to harvest a corn field to help flush out Megna, who, surrendered later to a Valley City police officer in the corn. No one was injured.

Dennis Smith neighbors help harvest a cornfield to flush out Megna. Photos by Steve Urness.

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