FARGO, N.D. (AP) - A convicted sex offender being transferred from Washington state to New Hampshire has escaped custody in Barnes County.

Convicted sex offender Joseph Megna ran from a transport van during a stop about 2 miles west of Tower City.

State troopers, game wardens and deputies from Barnes, Cass and Stutsman counties are on scene helping with the investigation.

Officers were focusing their search on a field north of Interstate 94.

A state patrol airplane is also assisting.