Unreturned library book leads to woman's arrest

[Trashman]

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa – An Iowa woman has been arrested because she failed to return a library book. Thirty-nine-year-old Shelly Koontz was arrested Thursday night on a fifth-degree theft charge. She is accused of keeping "The Freedom Writers Diary," which she checked out from the public library in nearby Jesup in April.

Police say the book — which is about a high school teacher's effort to inspire students to write — is valued at $13.95.

Court records show library employees tried repeatedly to contact Koontz by phone and mail. A police officer even visited her home last September.

Officials at the Buchanan County jail say Koontz was released after posting $250 bond. No telephone listing for Koontz could be found in the Independence area.

[I. B. Watching]

Nuts, I took 'The Rites of Autumn" from my high school library about 33 years ago, and I have no plans on returning it. I'm hoping there's some statute of limitations on this. Besides, it's too good of Texas football history book to give back:)

[Stownhorse]

You thief. The law. B. Watching.

[Trashman]

Originally posted by I. B. Watching
Nuts, I took 'The Rites of Autumn" from my high school library about 33 years ago, and I have no plans on returning it. I'm hoping there's some statute of limitations on this. Besides, it's too good of Texas football history book to give back:)

As long as it wasn't in Iowa, you should be fine.:D

[blowfish]

Statute of limitations on Misdemeanor Theft in texas is 2 years.
You should be fine.

Of course you have opened yourself up for a Civil suit by all the people that could have read the book and bettered themselves over the years. I am thinking you better get to Nevada and incorporate to protect yourself. :D

[Old Dog]

My Mrs. works at our library................non return of books, CDs and DVDs is becoming a huge problem for all libraries. Burnet County now turns all long term non returns as theft and gives names over to the County Attorney (they will and do prosecute).

[I. B. Watching]

Originally posted by blowfish
Statute of limitations on Misdemeanor Theft in texas is 2 years.
You should be fine.

Of course you have opened yourself up for a Civil suit by all the people that could have read the book and bettered themselves over the years. I am thinking you better get to Nevada and incorporate to protect yourself. :D
I did not think about how my actions may have affected thousands of potential readers over the last three decades.:(