ELLENDALE, N.D. (AP) - An Ellendale judge has found a North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation agent in contempt of court and ordered the state to pay nearly $49,000.
Agents confiscated a pay loader in May from Darrell Schrum's shop in Forbes after an investigation found it was stolen. Schrum told authorities he didn't know about the theft and said he bought the loader in good faith.
Schrum's lawyers argued BCI special agent Arnie Rummel gave the loader away without approval and said he should be held in contempt.
Judge Daniel Narum agreed to that Tuesday and ordered the state to reimburse Schrum for $48,840, plus the other costs and fees.
Rummel could not be reached Tuesday for comment.