Prosecutors want 10-year sentence for man who touched women's feet

DuPage County prosecutors Monday asked for a 10-year prison sentence for an Aurora man who has been banned from several suburban libraries for rubbing his bare feet on unsuspecting women.

Omar Carlton, 45, of the 1000 block of Fifth Avenue, pleaded guilty in October to two counts of aggravated battery in a public place after authorities said he used his bare feet to touch women's feet last year at the Warrenville Public Library and in 2015 at the North Central College library in Naperville.

Assistant State's Attorney Megan McGuire cited Carlton's extensive and sometimes violent criminal history when asking Judge Daniel Guerin to sentence Carlton to two consecutive five-year sentences.

Guerin said he has a lot to consider before handing down his sentence on April 10.

During a 27-year span, Carlton has been banned from nine libraries for inappropriately touching women.

"(Carlton) is a danger to the community and to women; women he knows and doesn't know," McGuire said. "And at these libraries he has exercised some form of control over these women when he's allowed to touch them and violate their personal space."

Carlton testified Monday that he has struggled with alcohol most of his adult life and that he has a foot fetish. He said he's only been in trouble with the law when he's been drinking.

He completed nine hours of Alcoholics Anonymous classes while in jail the past year and said he plans to seek counseling for his foot fetish.

"I live in a controlled environment right now, so it's not a problem. And I've taken the AA classes offered (in the jail)," he said. "I know I'll be right back in this position (if I don't get help and counseling)."

He also apologized to his victims and his family for embarrassing them and "cursing" the Carlton name.

His attorney, Robert Stroh, admitted that Calton's "background is awful" but argued for a minimum two-year prison sentence or probation and time-served so Carlton can get help.

"He's going to get out (of custody), so what kind of support are we going to give him?" Stroh said. "As unique as his crimes are in the community, he's controlled by something not so unique, and that's his drinking."

Carlton has been held on $200,000 bail since his April arrest.