Michigan Couple Faces Jail Time Over Overdue Library Books

TECUMSEH, Mich. (AP/WWJ) - A southeast Michigan couple faces jail time over two late books that they failed to return to their local public library.

Cathy and Melvin Duren of Tecumseh, north of Adrian, each were charged Thursday in Lenawee County with a misdemeanor charge of failure to return rental property.

WXYZ-TV reports that the couple thinks it's unfair that they never would've been charged if they each paid a $105 "diversion fee" to the Lenawee County Economic Crimes Unit, plus fees owed to the Tecumseh Public Library.

The Durens received a letter about the overdue books in December. They were able to find and return one of the books in January.

Cathy Duren then sent a $55 money order to the prosecutor's office to cover the late fees and replacement cost for the lost book, but said she didn't pay the diversion fee because she didn't think it was legal.

The couple told NBC 24 in Toledo they feel they were harassed by the detective in charge of the Economic Crimes Unit who had allegedly left them several threatening voicemails. "I think a lot of people have paid these fees before because of his threats," Cathy Duren said.

According to WTOL-TV, the library began working with the unit in 2015 after officials say they were losing about $10,000 dollars worth of books and other unreturned items per year.

"We are stewards of the tax dollar. People trust us to take care of their tax dollars and provide them with a wonderful resource that is the library," said library director Gayle Hazelbaker.

The Durens are due in court within 10 days.

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