Libraries in North Carolina are really out here sending police after people for overdue book fines and Tika Sumpter‘s mother, Janice Acquista, is the latest to be arrested.
No one would believe this. I got arrested for a library book that was returned but not scanned. I'm out @iamtikasumpter
— janice acquista (@momacquista) November 15, 2016
Sumpter took to Twitter to vent about the incident, writing, “Make sure you turn in your library books North Carolina! My mom was just arrested for having a late fee of 10 dollars on an overdue book!”
According to The New York Daily News, the arrest took place in Johnston County, North Carolina. The website for the Public Library of Johnston County & Smithfield lists the fine associated with overdue media, but does not include the possibility of arrest.
Sumpter also claims that the book in question was already returned.
An overdue book should NEVER result in a warrant. This is a legal scam. @northcarolina @SmithfieldLibra @PatMcCroryNC @RoyCooperNC
— Tika Sumpter (@iamtikasumpter) November 14, 2016
Umm yes. Yup treated like a criminal for a late fee of 10 dollars for over due books from the library.Libraries now put out warrants. #Ncgov https://t.co/7mCEI60qdD
— Tika Sumpter (@iamtikasumpter) November 15, 2016
Be safe out there. What you think can't happen to you,can. P.S. My mom returned the book a while back, someone didn't put it in the system.
— Tika Sumpter (@iamtikasumpter) November 15, 2016
Acquista was eventually released and Sumpter tweeted that even the cops who arrested her mom thought the situation was ridiculous.
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The NYDN reports officials at the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office arrested Acquista not because of the late fee, but because a check she wrote bounced and she never made good on the payment.