Library toe-sucker pleads guilty

YOUNGSTOWN — A Poland man just had to kiss a woman’s foot a year ago, and he now must continue to undergo counseling or face possible jail time.

Joseph Colella, 29, of Olde Winter Trail, pleaded guilty Wednesday to the first-degree misdemeanor charge of sexual imposition before Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

The sentencing range for that charge is probation to six months in jail. Sentencing will be at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 19.

Colella had previously been charged with gross sexual imposition, a fourth-degree felony that carries a six- to 18-month prison term. He pleaded guilty to the reduced charge, and the prosecutor’s office has agreed to recommend probation if Colella continues to undergo counseling.

A 27-year-old woman told police she was in a study room at the Boardman public library branch on Glenwood Avenue on July 11, 2006, when Colella entered, closed the door and told her he had to kiss people’s feet and record their reactions for a sociology project.

The woman said she wasn’t interested, but Colella insisted and she relented, believing Colella wouldn’t leave unless she obliged, police reports said.

Colella then kissed her foot and sucked on one of her toes. She pulled her foot away, went home and called police.

The victim is agreeable to the plea agreement and sentence recommendation, said Dawn Krueger, assistant county prosecutor. Colella has no prior criminal record.