by Seamus McGraw

March 21, 2006

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BELLAIRE, Ohio   (Crime Library) — Seventy-two -year-old Samuel McGilton might consider himself fortunate that cross-dressing is not a crime in Bellaire, Ohio, because if it were, there's a good chance that the retired teamster with his ratty wig and tacky pumps would probably be looking at life for a crime of fashion.

Instead, McGilton is facing only a second-degree misdemeanor count of lewd contact after authorities charged him with pleasuring himself — and absolutely no one else — during a high-heeled jaunt through the local public library.

According to Bellaire Police Chief Mike Kovalyk, the incident occurred on March 6, when the 5-foot-11, 210 pound McGilton sashayed into the local library wearing his high heeled pumps, a self-consciously prim floral skirt and white blouse, plopped down in a chair on the second floor and quietly began .... er ...  checking things out.

Librarians recognized McGilton, who was so well known as a stiletto-heeled cross-dresser both in Bellaire and across the Ohio River in his adopted hometown of Wheeling, W.V. that he had earned the nickname "Mr. Shoes," authorities said. But they apparently felt that because he was alone on the second floor, his indiscretion should be overlooked, authorities said. They did not contact police.

But a few days later, authorities heard about the incident through the grapevine and asked to review the library's surveillance tapes. Police decided to charge McGilton with lewd conduct and tracked him to his West Virginia home. When he was arrested on St. Patrick's Day, McGilton, who among other things claims a lifetime membership to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, was at home in full dress, including a wig, slightly different than the one he had been wearing in the library tape, a fresh blouse, and heels. He was, however, wearing the same skirt, Kovalyk said.

McGilton's arraigned is scheduled for March 27.

Contact Seamus McGraw at seamusm@ptd.net

Seamus McGraw

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