People v. Pineda CA2/4 ( 2020 )


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  • Filed 12/23/20 P. v. Pineda CA2/4
    NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
    California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on
    opinions not certified for publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(a). This
    opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115(a).
    IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
    SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
    DIVISION FOUR
    THE PEOPLE,                                                 B300928
    Plaintiff and Respondent,                            Los Angeles County
    Super. Ct. No. KA116196
    v.
    PEDROS ROJAS PINEDA,
    Defendant and Appellant.
    APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Los
    Angeles County, Juan Carlos Dominguez, Judge. Affirmed.
    Stephen Temko, under appointment by the Court of
    Appeal, for Defendant and Appellant.
    Xavier Becerra, Attorney General, Lance E. Winters, Chief
    Assistant Attorney General, Susan Sullivan Pithey, Senior
    Assistant Attorney General, Roberta L. Davis and William H.
    Shin, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
    INTRODUCTION
    Appellant and defendant Pedro Rojas Pineda was convicted
    of sexual intercourse with a child ten years old or younger, sexual
    penetration of a child ten years old or younger, and indecent
    exposure with a prior such conviction. The child was his
    daughter. He was sentenced to a term of 40 years to life in state
    prison.
    On appeal, Pineda argues: (1) the evidence was insufficient
    to support his sexual intercourse and penetration convictions; (2)
    the trial court erred by admitting testimony regarding his
    daughter’s report of abuse to her friend; and (3) the trial court
    erred by imposing separate punishments for his sexual
    intercourse and penetration convictions. Because his arguments
    are meritless, we affirm.
    PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
    The Los Angeles County District Attorney filed an
    information charging Pineda with sexual intercourse or sodomy
    with a child ten years old or younger (Pen. Code, § 288.7, subd.
    (a);1 count one), oral copulation or sexual penetration of a child
    ten years old or younger (§ 288.7, subd. (b); count two), and
    indecent exposure with a prior such conviction (§ 314, subd. (1);
    counts three, four, and five).
    In bifurcated proceedings, Pineda waived his right to a jury
    trial regarding his prior indecent exposure conviction and
    1       All undesignated statutory references are to the Penal
    Code.
    2
    requested a bench trial on the issue. The trial court found Pineda
    sustained such a conviction in May 2015. The jury found Pineda
    guilty on all counts except count three, on which it was unable to
    reach a verdict. Thereafter, the trial court granted the People’s
    motion to dismiss count three.
    The trial court sentenced Pineda to 40 years to life in state
    prison, consisting of a term of 25 years to life on count one and a
    term of 15 years to life on count two. The trial court also
    sentenced Pineda to two two-year middle terms on counts four
    and five, both of which were to run concurrently with his prison
    terms on counts one and two. The court further ordered Pineda to
    pay a $300 restitution fine. The court also imposed various other
    fines and fees but either waived or stayed payment.
    Pineda appealed.
    FACTUAL BACKGROUND
    Pineda’s daughter, who for privacy purposes we will refer
    to by the fictitious name of “Jane,” was born on January 15, 2007.
    In 2017, Jane lived in a two-bedroom apartment located in El
    Monte with Pineda, her mother, her uncle, and her four brothers.
    On September 3, 2017, Jane was playing with the
    neighbor’s children, two sisters who for privacy purposes we will
    refer to as “J” and “A.” While playing with J and A, Jane saw
    Pineda take his penis out of his pants and show it to J and A. At
    that point, the girls left and told J and A’s mother what had
    happened.
    Seeing Pineda expose himself to her friends also prompted
    Jane to tell their mother that Pineda had been touching her
    inappropriately. Later that evening, J and A’s mother told Jane’s
    3
    mother what Jane had told her. At that point, Jane’s mother and
    the neighbor girls’ mother decided to take Jane to the doctor.
    Following a visit to the doctor that evening, they went to the
    police.
    At the police station, Jane spoke to El Monte Police
    Department Officer Chris Frey. She told Officer Frey that Pineda
    sexually molested her four times in the past two weeks, and that
    he last touched her two days before. In describing the most recent
    incident of inappropriate touching, Jane stated she was asleep
    when she “woke up and noticed that [Pineda] had his hands down
    her underwear and . . . had inserted one or two fingers into her
    vagina.”
    Pineda was arrested at his sister’s apartment in the early
    morning hours of September 4, 2017.
    Following Pineda’s arrest, Detective Jacob Burse spoke
    with Jane. Jane related Pineda sexually molested her on multiple
    occasions by digitally penetrating her vagina and inserting his
    penis into her vagina.
    DISCUSSION
    I.     Sufficiency of the Evidence
    Pineda contends his convictions on counts one and two are
    unsupported by substantial evidence. Specifically, he argues the
    prosecution failed to prove the offenses occurred in the timeframe
    alleged in the information, i.e., on or between August 13 and
    September 1, 2017. The Attorney General responds the
    prosecution was only required to prove Pineda committed the
    offenses within the applicable ten-year limitations period, as time
    is not a “material ingredient” of those crimes. (See People v.
    4
    Garcia (2016) 
    247 Cal.App.4th 1013
    , 1022 (Garcia).) The
    Attorney General therefore contends that because the evidence
    demonstrates Pineda used his penis and fingers to penetrate
    Jane’s vagina sometime between late 2016 and September 2017,
    his convictions on counts one and two are supported by
    substantial evidence. We agree with the Attorney General and
    reject Pineda’s substantial evidence challenge.
    Section 288.7, subdivision (a) provides: “Any person 18
    years of age or older who engages in sexual intercourse . . . with a
    child who is 10 years of age or younger is guilty of a felony[.]”
    Section 288.7, subdivision (b) provides: “Any person 18 years of
    age or older who engages in . . . sexual penetration, as defined in
    Section 289, with a child who is 10 years of age or younger is
    guilty of a felony[.]” Per section 289, subdivision (k)(1), “‘[s]exual
    penetration’ is the act of causing the penetration, however slight,
    of the genital . . . opening of any person . . . by any foreign object,
    substance, instrument, or device, or by any unknown object.”
    In People v. Jones (1990) 
    51 Cal.3d 294
     (Jones), our
    Supreme Court set forth the “minimum quantum of proof
    necessary to support a conviction” for crimes involving sexual
    abuse of a child. (Id. at p. 314.) The Court stated: “The victim, of
    course, must describe the kind of act or acts committed with
    sufficient specificity, both to assure that unlawful conduct indeed
    has occurred and to differentiate between the various types of
    proscribed conduct (e.g., lewd conduct, intercourse, oral
    copulation or sodomy). Moreover, the victim must describe the
    number of acts committed with sufficient certainty to support
    each of the counts alleged in the information or indictment (e.g.,
    ‘twice a month’ or ‘every time we went camping’). Finally, the
    victim must also be able to describe the general time period in
    5
    which these acts occurred (e.g., ‘the summer before my fourth
    grade,’ or ‘during each Sunday morning after he came to live with
    us’), to assure the acts were committed within the applicable
    limitation period. Additional details regarding the time, place or
    circumstance of the various assaults may assist in assessing the
    credibility or substantiality of the victim’s testimony, but are not
    essential to sustain a conviction.” (Id. at p. 316.)
    “In reviewing a sufficiency of evidence claim, the reviewing
    court’s role is a limited one. ‘“The proper test for determining a
    claim of insufficiency of evidence in a criminal case is whether, on
    the entire record, a rational trier of fact could find the defendant
    guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. [Citations.] On appeal, we
    must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the People
    and must presume in support of the judgment the existence of
    every fact the trier could reasonably deduce from the evidence.
    [Citation.]”’ [Citations.]” (People v. Smith (2005) 
    37 Cal.4th 733
    ,
    738-739.)
    Applying these principles, we conclude substantial evidence
    supports the jury’s finding that Pineda was guilty of sexual
    intercourse with and sexual penetration of a child ten years of
    age or younger. Jane testified Pineda first touched her
    inappropriately when she “was nine, and . . . about to turn 10.”
    He also touched her sexually after she turned ten years old.
    Further, Jane told Officer Frey that Pineda sexually molested her
    four times in the two weeks leading up to her interview on
    September 3, 2017, and that he inserted his fingers into her
    vagina two days before.
    Jane testified that she slept on the floor in the same room
    with her mother, father, and four brothers. At night, while Jane’s
    mother was at work and her brothers were asleep, Pineda would
    6
    grab her by the ankles while she was lying on the ground, pull
    her to his side, and insert his fingers or his penis into her vagina,
    causing her pain. She testified Pineda inserted his penis in her
    vagina more than two times, but did not know whether there
    were more than five incidents. Her testimony made it clear
    Pineda touched her with his fingers more than once, but she did
    not recall how many times this took place. Jane described in
    detail how Pineda would touch her inappropriately with his
    fingers and penis.
    On this record, we conclude the evidence adequately set
    forth the kind of acts committed (sexual intercourse and digital
    penetration), the number of acts committed to support each of the
    counts alleged (intercourse more than twice, digital penetration
    at least once), and the general time period in which the acts
    occurred (shortly before Jane’s tenth birthday and continuing
    thereafter until she spoke with Officer Frey). Therefore, under
    Jones, Pineda’s convictions on counts one and two are supported
    by substantial evidence. (Jones, supra, 51 Cal.3d at p. 316.)
    As noted above, the crux of Pineda’s sufficiency argument is
    the prosecution was required to prove the offenses occurred “on or
    between August 13, 2017 and September 1, 2017” as alleged in
    the information. At the outset, we note Pineda’s argument is
    unavailing with respect to his conviction on count two because, as
    noted above, the evidence demonstrates he digitally penetrated
    Jane’s vagina on September 1, 2017, two days before her
    interview with Officer Frey.
    In any event, as the Attorney General correctly points out,
    the prosecution was not required to prove either of the crimes
    occurred in the timeframe alleged in the information. “‘The law is
    clear that, when it is charged that an offense was committed “on
    7
    or about” a named date, the exact date need not be proved unless
    the time “is a material ingredient in the offense” [citation], and
    the evidence is not insufficient merely because it shows that the
    offense was committed on another date.’ [Citations].” (Garcia,
    supra, 247 Cal.App.4th at p. 1022.)
    We are not persuaded by Pineda’s argument that Garcia
    does not apply here because the information alleged the crimes
    occurred “on or between” two dates instead of “on or about” a
    certain date. Contrary to Pineda’s argument, even where the
    information alleges an offense took place on a certain date, rather
    than “on or about” that date, the prosecution is not required to
    prove the crime was committed on the specified date unless time
    is a material ingredient to the offense.
    For example, in People v. Amy (1950) 
    100 Cal.App.2d 126
    (Amy), the defendant was charged with two counts of violating
    section 288. (Id. at p. 126.) The information alleged count one was
    committed on June 20, 1949, and count two was committed on
    December 23, 1949. (Id. at p. 127.) At trial, the victim testified
    the first act occurred while she was on summer vacation in 1949,
    and the second act occurred on a day when her mother went to
    the beauty shop a week or two before Christmas. (Ibid.) The
    defendant was found guilty on both counts. (Id. at p. 126.) On
    appeal, the defendant argued his convictions should be
    overturned because “‘there was a failure to prove a specific act on
    a specified date as charged.’” (Id. at p. 127.)
    The Court of Appeal rejected the defendant’s argument.
    (Amy, supra, 100 Cal.App.2d at pp. 127-128.) In so doing, the
    court observed “[t[he burden was on the [P]eople to prove that the
    offenses occurred within the period of limitation but they are not
    required to prove the date with exactness. [Citation.]” (Id. at p.
    8
    127.) The court further noted that a variance between the
    pleading and the proof should be disregarded “unless time is of
    the essence of the offense,” and a challenge to such a variance
    cannot be made for the first time on appeal unless the defendant
    shows he was prejudiced thereby. (Id. at pp. 127-128.) Thus, the
    court affirmed the convictions, reasoning: (1) the prosecution
    proved the offenses were committed within the applicable
    limitations period; (2) the defendant did not indicate he was
    misled in making his defense; (3) the defendant did not attempt
    to prove he had an alibi on either of the dates alleged; and (4) the
    defendant was not in danger of double jeopardy. (Id. at p. 128.)
    Here, as in Amy, the prosecution proved Pineda committed
    the crimes of sexual intercourse with and sexual penetration of a
    minor ten years or younger within the applicable ten-year
    limitations period. (§ 801.1, subd. (b).) Neither crime requires the
    wrongful act occur in a certain timeframe. (See § 288.7, subds. (a)
    & (b); cf. § 288.5, subd. (a) [a person “is guilty of the offense of
    continuous sexual abuse of a child” if he, “over a period of time,
    not less than three months in duration, engages in three or more
    acts of substantial sexual conduct with a child under the age of
    14 years”].) Nor did Pineda attempt to prove an alibi. Therefore,
    time was not essential to either of the offenses at issue. (People v.
    Obremski (1989) 
    207 Cal.App.3d 1346
    , 1354 [“Time is essential if
    the defense is alibi. [Citation.]”].) Additionally, at trial, Pineda
    did not object to any variance between the information and the
    evidence. On appeal, he has not argued or otherwise shown he
    was prejudiced thereby.
    Accordingly, for the reasons discussed above, we conclude
    Pineda’s substantial evidence challenge is without merit.
    9
    II.    Admissibility of A’s Testimony Regarding Jane’s
    Report of Abuse to Her
    At trial, the prosecution sought to elicit testimony from A
    regarding whether Jane told her about Pineda’s inappropriate
    conduct. Defense counsel objected on hearsay grounds. The
    prosecution responded the testimony was admissible under the
    fresh complaint doctrine. After discussing the issue with counsel
    in chambers, the court allowed the prosecution to lay a
    foundation on when, specifically, Jane told A about the abuse.
    Thereafter, the trial court overruled defense counsel’s hearsay
    objection, and A testified: “[Jane] told me . . . when she would
    sleep, . . . her father would touch her.”
    Pineda contends the trial court erred by admitting A’s
    testimony concerning Jane’s report of abuse to her because: (1)
    the testimony fell outside the scope of the fresh complaint
    doctrine; and (2) the testimony was inadmissible under Evidence
    Code section 352.
    “A trial court’s exercise of discretion in admitting or
    excluding evidence is reviewable for abuse [citation] and will not
    be disturbed except on a showing the trial court exercised its
    discretion in an arbitrary, capricious, or patently absurd manner
    that resulted in a manifest miscarriage of justice [citation].”
    (People v. Rodriguez (1999) 
    20 Cal.4th 1
    , 9-10.) We address each
    of Pineda’s arguments in turn below.
    1.     Admissibility Under Fresh Complaint Doctrine
    In People v. Brown (1994) 
    8 Cal.4th 746
     (Brown), our
    Supreme Court defined the modern view of the fresh complaint
    doctrine as follows: “[U]nder principles generally applicable to
    the determination of evidentiary relevance and admissibility,
    10
    proof of an extrajudicial complaint, made by the victim of a
    sexual offense, disclosing the alleged assault, may be admissible
    for a limited, nonhearsay purpose—namely, to establish the fact
    of, and the circumstances surrounding, the victim’s disclosure of
    the assault to others—whenever the fact that the disclosure was
    made and the circumstances under which it was made are
    relevant to the trier of fact’s determination as to whether the
    offense occurred. Under such generally applicable evidentiary
    rules, the timing of a complaint (e.g., whether it was made
    promptly after the incident or, rather, at a later date) and the
    circumstances under which it was made (e.g., whether it was
    volunteered spontaneously or, instead, was made only in
    response to the inquiry of another person) are not necessarily
    determinative of the admissibility of evidence of the complaint.”
    (Id. at pp. 749-750, italics omitted.)
    Moreover, the Court stated that to be admissible under the
    fresh complaint doctrine, “[e]vidence of the victim’s report or
    disclosure of the alleged offense should be limited to the fact of
    the making of the complaint and other circumstances material to
    [the] limited [nonhearsay] purpose [of its admission].” (Brown,
    supra, 8 Cal.4th at p. 763.) The “‘fact of complaint’ [does] not
    include details of the incident, but [does] include evidence
    demonstrating the complaint ‘“related to the matter being
    inquired into, and [was] not a complaint wholly foreign to the
    subject . . . .”’ [Citation.]” (Id. at p. 756, italics omitted, quoting
    People v. Burton (1961) 
    55 Cal.2d 328
    , 351 (Burton).)
    Consequently, “the alleged victim’s statement of the nature of the
    offense and the identity of the asserted offender, without details,
    is proper. [Citations.]” (Burton, supra, 55 Cal.2d at pp. 351-352,
    italics omitted.)
    11
    Pineda contends A’s testimony regarding Jane’s report of
    abuse fell outside the scope of the fresh complaint doctrine
    because the testimony impermissibly set forth the “details of
    what statements were made.” We disagree.
    Here, A’s testimony was limited to Jane’s statement of the
    asserted offender’s identity (her father) and the nature of the
    offense (inappropriate touching). Therefore, A’s testimony
    properly illustrated Jane’s complaint related to the crimes
    alleged. (Burton, supra, 55 Cal.2d at pp. 351-352.) No testimony
    was admitted regarding Jane’s report of the specific details
    pertaining to Pineda’s wrongful conduct. Indeed, when asked
    whether Jane gave A any other details, A testified she did not
    remember.
    We reject Pineda’s contention that Brown completely
    overruled all prior cases applying the fresh complaint doctrine,
    such as Burton. In Brown, our Supreme Court only disapproved
    earlier fresh complaint cases to the extent they: (1) supported
    “the original premise and rationale underlying the fresh-
    complaint doctrine,” i.e., “that it is natural for the victim of a
    sexual assault to complain promptly following the assault”; and
    (2) held that, to qualify as a fresh complaint, the report must
    have been made within a short time following the incident in
    question and not in response to questioning. (Brown, 
    supra,
     8
    Cal.4th at pp. 749, 758-760, 762-763.) Of relevance to our
    analysis in this case, the Court did not overrule Burton’s holding
    that “although details cannot be recounted, it can be shown by
    the People ‘that the complaint related to the matter being
    inquired into, and was not a complaint wholly foreign to the
    subject’ [citation]; that is, the alleged victim’s statement of the
    nature of the offense and the identity of the asserted offender,
    12
    without details, is proper. [Citations.]” (Burton, supra, 55 Cal.2d
    at p. 351, italics omitted; see Brown, 
    supra,
     8 Cal.4th at pp. 756,
    759-763.)
    Accordingly, for the reasons discussed above, we conclude
    the trial court did not abuse its discretion by finding A’s
    testimony concerning Jane’s report of abuse to her fell within the
    fresh complaint doctrine.2
    2.    Admissibility Under Evidence Code Section 352
    Evidence Code section 352 provides: “The court in its
    discretion may exclude evidence if its probative value is
    substantially outweighed by the probability that its admission
    will (a) necessitate undue consumption of time or (b) create
    substantial danger of undue prejudice, of confusing the issues, or
    of misleading the jury.” “‘“Prejudice” in the context of Evidence
    Code section 352 refers to the possibility of misuse of the
    evidence—use of the evidence by the trier of fact for a purpose for
    which the evidence is not properly admissible.’ [Citation.]”
    (People v. Jiminez (2019) 
    35 Cal.App.5th 373
    , 390.)
    Pineda contends A’s testimony concerning Jane’s report of
    abuse was inadmissible under Evidence Code section 352.
    Specifically, he suggests the testimony’s probative value was
    substantially outweighed by the risk of undue prejudice because
    2     Pineda correctly observes the trial court did not instruct
    the jury that A’s testimony was to be considered only for the
    limited, nonhearsay purpose of establishing the fact of, and the
    circumstances surrounding, Jane’s disclosure of Pineda’s sexual
    assault to her. The trial court, however, was not required to give
    such an instruction, as defense counsel did not request it to do so.
    (People v. Manning (2008) 
    165 Cal.App.4th 870
    , 880.)
    13
    Jane “had already testified that she had relayed complaints
    about [Pineda’s] alleged misconduct to other people, including
    [A’s] mother.” We do not agree with Pineda’s argument.
    At the outset, we note defense counsel did not object to A’s
    testimony regarding Jane’s report of abuse to her on Evidence
    Code section 352 grounds at trial. Consequently, Pineda’s
    argument on the issue has been forfeited. (People v. Williams
    (1997) 
    16 Cal.4th 153
    , 206.)
    In any event, even if a specific and timely objection had
    been made, and Pineda had not forfeited this argument, we
    discern no error. As noted above, Jane testified in detail about
    Pineda’s sexual abuse. A’s testimony regarding Jane’s report of
    abuse was therefore probative of Jane’s credibility. (See People v.
    Ramirez (2006) 
    143 Cal.App.4th 1512
    , 1522.) Moreover, A’s
    testimony on the matter consisted of a single sentence and did
    not include any details. Under these circumstances, it would have
    been well within the trial court’s discretion to find the probative
    value of A’s testimony was not substantially outweighed by the
    risk of undue prejudice.
    3.    Prejudice
    Even assuming, arguendo, the trial court erred by
    admitting A’s testimony concerning Jane’s report of abuse, we
    would find no prejudice under Chapman v. Cal. (1967) 
    386 U.S. 18
    , 24 [
    87 S.Ct. 824
    , 
    17 L.Ed.2d 705
    ] (Chapman) or People v.
    Watson (1956) 
    46 Cal.2d 818
    , 836-838 (Watson). Here, the
    evidence of Pineda’s guilt was overwhelming. Again, as discussed
    above, Jane testified in substantial detail about Pineda’s crimes.
    The evidence also established Jane reported Pineda’s
    inappropriate touching to the neighbor girls’ mother, Officer
    14
    Frey, and Detective Burse. Under these circumstances, the
    asserted error would have been harmless beyond a reasonable
    doubt, and it is not reasonably probable that the trial court’s
    exclusion of A’s brief testimony regarding Jane’s report of abuse
    to her would have resulted in a more favorable outcome for
    Pineda. (See Chapman, 
    supra,
     386 U.S. at p. 24; Watson, supra,
    46 Cal.2d at pp. 835-836.)3
    III.  Separate Punishments on Counts One and Two
    Pineda contends the trial court should have stayed his
    sentence on count two based on section 654. Specifically, he
    argues the evidence demonstrates “the incidences of digital
    penetration preceded, or were immediately followed by,
    intercourse.” Therefore, Pineda argues, his “intent in digitally
    penetrating [Jane] on each occasion was merely incidental to his
    objective in penetrating her with his penis.” The Attorney
    General responds substantial evidence supports the trial court’s
    finding that section 654 does not apply, as the court could have
    reasonably concluded “the digital penetration was accomplished
    for the purpose of [Pineda’s] own arousal, and not to facilitate any
    other form of sexual contact.” We agree with the Attorney
    General.
    3     Pineda also contends the trial court violated his federal
    constitutional rights to due process and fair trial by admitting A’s
    testimony about Jane’s report of abuse to her. As the Attorney
    General correctly points out, however, Pineda has forfeited his
    constitutional claims because he did not raise any objection on
    those grounds below. (People v. Riggs (2008) 
    44 Cal.4th 248
    , 304.)
    In any event, Pineda’s claim is meritless because the trial court
    did not err by admitting the testimony at issue. (Ibid.)
    15
    Section 654, subdivision (a) provides: “An act or omission
    that is punishable in different ways by different provisions of law
    shall be punished under the provision that provides for the
    longest potential term of imprisonment, but in no case shall the
    act or omission be punished under more than one provision.”
    Section 654 “‘applies when there is a course of conduct
    which violates more than one statute but constitutes an
    indivisible transaction.’ [Citation.] Generally, whether a course of
    conduct is a divisible transaction depends on the intent and
    objective of the actor: ‘If all of the offenses were incident to one
    objective, the defendant may be punished for any one of such
    offenses but not for more than one.’ [Citation.]” (People v. Alvarez
    (2009) 
    178 Cal.App.4th 999
    , 1006 (Alvarez).)
    “However, the rule is different in sex crime cases. Even
    where the defendant has but one objective—sexual gratification—
    section 654 will not apply unless the crimes were either
    incidental to or the means by which another crime was
    accomplished. [Citations.] [¶] But, section 654 does not apply to
    sexual misconduct that is ‘preparatory’ in the general sense that
    it is designed to sexually arouse the perpetrator or the victim.
    [Citation.]” (Alvarez, supra, 178 Cal.App.4th at p. 1006.)
    “Whether section 654 applies in a given case is a question
    of fact for the trial court, which is vested with broad latitude in
    making its determination. [Citations.] Its findings will not be
    reversed on appeal if there is any substantial evidence to support
    them. [Citations.] We review the trial court’s determination in
    the light most favorable to the respondent and presume the
    existence of every fact the trial court could reasonably deduce
    from the evidence. [Citation.]” (People v. Jones (2002) 
    103 Cal.App.4th 1139
    , 1143.)
    16
    Applying the principles above, we conclude substantial
    evidence supports the trial court’s finding that section 654 does
    not apply in this case. Jane testified that sometimes Pineda
    touched her vagina with both his penis and fingers on the same
    day, but other times he would use only one of those body parts to
    touch her on a single day. Based on this testimony, the trial court
    could reasonably conclude Pineda performed each act of digital
    penetration and sexual intercourse for purposes of accomplishing
    his own sexual arousal. Moreover, even assuming any instance of
    sexual intercourse was immediately preceded by digital
    penetration as Pineda contends, the trial court could nevertheless
    conclude the earlier acts were not “merely incidental to or
    facilitative of the later acts[,]” because sexual intercourse may be
    accomplished without digital penetration. (People v. Madera
    (1991) 
    231 Cal.App.3d 845
    , 855; Alvarez, supra, 178 Cal.App.4th
    at pp. 1006-1007.)
    Accordingly, the trial court did not err by imposing
    separate punishments for counts one and two.
    17
    DISPOSITION
    The judgment is affirmed.
    NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
    CURREY, J.
    We concur:
    MANELLA, P.J.
    WILLHITE, J.
    18
    

Document Info

Docket Number: B300928

Filed Date: 12/23/2020

Precedential Status: Non-Precedential

Modified Date: 12/23/2020