Com. v. Schmidt, M. ( 2018 )

J-S47016-18
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
MICHAEL LEE SCHMIDT :
:
Appellant : No. 1598 WDA 2017
Appeal from the Order Entered October 25, 2017
In the Court of Common Pleas of Lawrence County Criminal Division at
No(s): CP-37-CR-0000973-2014
BEFORE: OLSON, J., McLAUGHLIN, J., and STRASSBURGER*, J.
MEMORANDUM BY McLAUGHLIN, J.: FILED AUGUST 31, 2018
The Commonwealth appeals from the order entered October 25, 2017,
which in part granted Michael Lee Schmidt’s motion to dismiss charges
pursuant to statutory double jeopardy as defined by 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 111.1 In
this case, the Commonwealth seeks to prosecute Schmidt for his role in a
conspiracy to distribute heroin in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. However,
Schmidt has already pleaded guilty to conspiracy, based upon the same
conduct, in federal court in Ohio. As the Commonwealth failed to establish
that its prosecution requires proof of a fact not required by the federal
prosecution and that the harm it intends to prevent is substantially different,
we affirm.
____________________________________________
* Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
1 The Commonwealth certifies that the order granting Schmidt’s motion
substantially handicaps the prosecution of this case. See Pa.R.A.P. 311(d).
J-S47016-18
The trial court set forth facts and procedural history, which we adopt
and incorporate herein. Trial Court Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) Opinion, filed November
8, 2017, at 1-8.
The Commonwealth raises the following issues on appeal:
1. Whether the trial court erred in dismissing Counts 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12 charging Conspiracy (18 Pa.C.S.A. § 903)
pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 111 through application of
Commonwealth v. Savage, 566 A.2d 272 (Pa.Super. 1989) in
finding that a single and broader conspiracy existed between the
Ohio indictment and the Commonwealth’s prosecution.
2. Whether the trial court erred in finding 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 111,
through application of Commonwealth v. Wetton, 591 A.2d
1067 (Pa.Super. 1991); Commonwealth v. Besch, 544 Pa. 1,
674 A.2d 655 (1996) in dismissing the substantive corrupt
organizations charge[2] at Count 1 of the Information.
Commonwealth’s Br. at 8 (unnecessary capitalization omitted) (issues
reversed for ease of analysis).
The Commonwealth’s issues present questions of law, which are subject
to plenary review in this Court. See Commonwealth v. Williams, 151 A.3d
1113, 1114 (Pa.Super. 2016); Wetton, 591 A.2d at 1071.
In Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth may not prosecute an individual
for criminal acts under certain circumstances where the individual has been
prosecuted for the same conduct in another jurisdiction. A subsequent
prosecution is barred, in relevant part, where:
[t]he first prosecution resulted in an acquittal or in a conviction as
defined in section 109 of this title (relating to when prosecution
____________________________________________
2 See 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 911.
-2-
J-S47016-18
barred by former prosecution for same offense) and the
subsequent prosecution is based on the same conduct unless:
(i) the offense of which the defendant was formerly convicted or
acquitted and the offense for which he is subsequently prosecuted
each requires proof of a fact not required by the other and the law
defining each of such offenses is intended to prevent a
substantially different harm or evil[.]
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 111(1)(i) (emphasis added).
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has approved a three-part inquiry to
determine whether Section 111 bars a subsequent prosecution.
(1) Is the prosecution the Commonwealth proposes to undertake
based on the same conduct for which the individual was
prosecuted by the other jurisdiction?
(2) Do each of the prosecutions require proof of a fact not required
by the other?
(3) Is the law defining the state offense designed to prevent a
substantially different harm or evil than the law defining the other
jurisdiction's offense?
Commonwealth v. Traitz, 597 A.2d 1129, 1132-33 (Pa. 1991) (quoting
Commonwealth v. Abbott, 466 A.2d 644, 649 (Pa.Super. 1983)). Although
the statute is silent regarding the relevant burden of proof, it is well settled
that
when a defendant raises a non-frivolous prima facie claim that a
prosecution may be barred under 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 111, the
prosecution bears a burden to prove by a preponderance of the
evidence either that the “same conduct” is not involved, or that a
statutory exception to the statutory bar on reprosecution applies.
Commonwealth v. Savage, 566 A.2d 272, 284 (Pa.Super. 1989) (emphasis
in original).
-3-
J-S47016-18
In its first issue, the Commonwealth contends the trial court erred in
failing to consider appropriately the evidence in support of its contention that
Schmidt engaged in multiple conspiracies to distribute heroin. See
Commonwealth’s Br. at 40-64 (asserting, without supportive legal authority,
that federal investigation produced insufficient evidence and that Schmidt’s
guilty plea “bolstered” the federal investigation).3 However, the apparent
depth and detail of the Commonwealth’s investigation does not reveal
different criminal conduct by Schmidt. Rather, it merely confirms that the
conduct prosecuted by federal officials – and for which Schmidt has pleaded
guilty – encompasses the same conduct for which the Commonwealth seeks
to prosecute.
In Savage, this Court similarly focused on an elaborate criminal
conspiracy to distribute narcotics. See Savage, 566 A.2d at 273-74. At issue
was the role of a single defendant, who the Commonwealth asserted was the
sole link between multiple conspiracies. Id. at 275. Based on facts similar to
those present here, we rejected the Commonwealth’s assertion.
____________________________________________
3 The Commonwealth’s repeated citations to Exhibit A, including an affidavit
signed by Special Agent James C. McCann in support of a federal wiretap
application are inappropriate. See, e.g., Commonwealth’s Br. at 44, 45, 46,
49, etc. Based on our review of the record, Exhibit A was never introduced or
incorporated into the certified record. We caution the Commonwealth that
“for purposes of appellate review, what is not of record does not exist.”
Commonwealth v. Johnson, 33 A.3d 122, 126 n.6 (Pa.Super. 2011). We
need not sanction the Commonwealth, as the affidavit does not impair our
analysis. Incidentally, even if it were of record, it would not change the
outcome of this appeal.
-4-
J-S47016-18
Plainly, the distribution of cocaine from an importer to a
wholesaler or retailer envisions and in fact requires the wholesaler
or retailer to enter into further agreements with others to
profitably dispose of the wholesaler’s or retailer’s inventory,
thereby providing capital for future intended purchases from the
importer. Thus, the fact that appellant was the sole link between
the conspiracies was rendered virtually insignificant in light of
appellant’s roles as a buyer in the federal conspiracy, and as a
seller in the alleged state conspiracy.
Id. at 285 (concluding that state-alleged conspiracy “merely a necessary facet
of the broader federal conspiracy”).
Here, as concluded by the trial court, Schmidt distributed heroin from
the wholesale level to retailers. See Trial Ct. Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) Op. at 14.
Essentially, Schmidt’s distribution network in Lawrence County was merely a
facet of the broader conspiracy based in Ohio. Thus, Schmidt’s link between
an importer and the retail distribution network did not establish separate
conspiracies. Id. (citing in support Savage). After review of the record, the
parties’ briefs, and the relevant law, we affirm on the basis of the well-
reasoned opinion of the Honorable J. Craig Cox, which we incorporate herein.
Id. at 7-17.4
In its second issue, the Commonwealth similarly contends that, with
regard to its substantive, corrupt organizations charge, the trial court erred in
concluding that it seeks to prosecute Schmidt for the same conduct for which
____________________________________________
4 The Commonwealth’s argument focuses solely on the first part of the Traitz
inquiry. See Commonwealth’s Br. at 38-64. Thus, it has conceded that it
cannot meet the “different required facts/substantially different interests”
exception to the bar on re-prosecution. See Savage, 566 A.2d at 285; see
also Pa.R.A.P. 2119 (Argument).
-5-
J-S47016-18
he has already pleaded guilty. See Commonwealth’s Br. at 65-68. For the
reasons set forth above, we reject this contention. The Commonwealth further
suggests that proper analysis of the second part of the Traitz inquiry, i.e.,
the “different required facts” exception, militates in favor of its prosecution.
Id. at 68-71. However, the Commonwealth seemingly concedes that it cannot
establish the “substantially different interests” exception to the bar on re-
prosecution. Id. (failing to address this exception in its analysis); see also
18 Pa.C.S. § 111(1)(i) (requiring Commonwealth to establish both different
required facts and substantially different interests exceptions before re-
prosecution permitted). Accordingly, the Commonwealth is due no relief.
As described succinctly in the trial court’s opinion, resolution of this issue
hinges upon the proper understanding of the harm the General Assembly
intended to address in the corrupt organizations statute. See 18 Pa.C.S. §
911. The Assembly’s legislative response to Commonwealth v. Besch, 674
A.2d 655 (Pa. 1996), is instructive. In Besch, our Supreme Court concluded
that the “clear intent” of Section 911 was to prevent infiltration of legitimate
businesses by organized crime. Besch, 674 A.2d at 659 (thereafter vacating
appellant’s judgment of sentence for corrupt organizations where drug
conspiracy was entirely illegitimate). However, following this interpretation,
the General Assembly amended Section 911, prohibiting racketeering
activities in both “legitimate as well as illegitimate entities.” See 18 Pa.C.S.A.
§ 911(h)(3); see also, e.g., Commonwealth v. Williams, 141 A.3d 440,
449 n.8 (Pa. 2016) (recognizing Besch superseded by statute)
-6-
J-S47016-18
Effectively, the General Assembly’s amendment breathed new life into
a prior, plurality opinion of the Court. In circumstances similar to those
present here, in Commonwealth v. Wetton, 641 A.2d 574 (Pa. 1994), the
Court stated the following:
While federal drug conspiracy is a different crime from substantive
corrupt organizations, both statutes are used in this case to
protect the same governmental interest the elimination of the
pervasive drug trafficking network in our society. … [T]herefore,
… the proper application of Section 111 of the Crimes Code bars
[a]ppellant[’]s prosecution on all substantive corrupt
organizations charges, 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 911(b)(3). To hold
otherwise would be to apply Section 111 in such a narrow and
limiting manner so that dual prosecution would effectively be
barred only where exact crimes match exact dates - crime for
crime and date for date. Because the federal drug conspiracy
statute and the state substantive corrupt organizations statute
protect the same governmental interest, … the third Traitz
question is answered in the negative and therefore the statutory
bar of 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 111 cannot be lifted.
Id. at 579-80 (plurality opinion in support of reversal). Thus, after review of
the record, the parties’ briefs, and the relevant law, we affirm on the basis of
the well-reasoned opinion of the Honorable J. Craig Cox, which we incorporate
herein. Id. at 17-21.
Order affirmed; case remanded for further proceedings; jurisdiction
relinquished.
Judgment Entered.
-7-
J-S47016-18
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 8/31/2018
-8-
-
'·
Circulated 08/21/2018 09:57 AM
COMfv1QNWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
VS. LAWRENCE COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA
MICHAEL LEE SCHMIDT. CRIMINAL. DIVISION
Defendant NO. 973 OF 2014
APPEARANCES.
For The Commcnweelth; Diane M. Shaffer, Esq.
Office of the District Attorney
430 Court Street ·
New Castle, PA 16.101
For The Defendant Thomas N. Farrell, Esq.
100 RossStreet, Suite 1
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
OPINION
COX.J .. November 8, 2017
This Court authored tbis Opinion pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) regarding the
appeal filed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. from this Court's partial grant of·
DefendantMichae.1 Lee Schmidt's Motion·.fo Dismiss Based on Doubt�Jeopardy and. 18
Pa.C.S. § 111. This Court granted the Motion as to .the. Conspiracy and Corrupt
Organi:Zations charges and left in place the charges of Corruption of Minors and Delivery
of a Controlled Substance.
The. case was. before this. Court on May 27, 2016, .July B,. 2016, and August .8,.
2016., for hearings on Omnibus Pretrial Motions. filed by the Defendant. Following the
hearinQs, a briefing s.chedule was s.et, with numerous extensions requested by both the
··$3RC Commonwealth and the Defendant
JUDICIAL
DI.STRICT
.20 ! -I ··-·;
� �tf' -·s 1:;)
r,··- .. co
HJ· -.! 1
,:.�W,.£NCE: COUl)lfY
P£NNSYL;.V,SfN•A
The. evidence presented for this Court's consideration included the Preliminary
Hearing transcripts of the Defendant, the Preliminary Hearing transcripts of his alleged
co-eonspitators, as well as the transcripts from the Omnibus Pretrial Hearings held
before this Court, transcripts and evidence. from the Defendant's- Federal case, and other·
exhibits relating to the inve�tigation of the.case before this Court. Taken together, the
facts are as follows.
Frank Drew, head of the District Attorney's Drug Task Force ("Task Force") ln •
Lawrence County and former Drug Enforcement Agency group supervisor, investigated
the manner in. which heroin was distributed in Lawrence County and he discovered a
structure concerning the drug's distribution. The �ommonwealths.ubr:nitted the. transcript
of the preliminary hearings of Defendant's aileged co-conspirators in which Detective .
Drew testified there was a hierarchy spanning from the drug supplier to street-level
· distributors. According to Detective Drew, this hierarchy consisted of three levels, which
· included the source .of supply, as many as four upper.. level dealers and an indeterminate
numberof.street-tevel dealers: The upper-level dealers determined the number o.f street-
level dealers who worked for them. Detective Drew also stated the. lower two levels
crossed over concerning their roles in the organization.as they were interllnked.'
Detective Thomas. Costa of the New Castle Police Department, · assigned to the
Drug Task Force," stated that frr June . or July of 2013, he and other detecuves
c.ommenced an investigation into heroin distribution in New Castle due to the number of
people. overdosing from thetsubstence and the frequency at which ponce nottC.ed the
1
.Notes of Testirnoriy of Defendant's co-conspiratorsar Case Nos. 390 .. 71>3, 704,. 705, 706,and 107 o(2()J4;
.5lRD testimony of Frank Drew, pp. 12..:24 (general description of hierarchy),
JVOICIA.L
DISTRICT.
J Testimony in. the heating referred to the Dnfgj'[�lf.t���j�l�ff��geably with the. "Special lrivcstig�tions Unit"
The Court wi 11 refer to both un.i.ts as the Qn,g Task force, See. e.g, Notes ofTestimcin)\ On'lri ibus Pretrial Hearing,
Augus18, 201.6, p. 4,
.LAWRE�:ce �OUN.TV
l'ENHSY.LVANIA
orug appeared in their investigations. The police officers received aid from ten
confidential informants (''Cl") and a· confidential source as well as outside law
enforcement agencies.
Detectives from the Lawrence Cou�ty Drug Task. Force intervie.wed sever-al of
these confidential informants; each of whom indicated the Defendant was purchasing.
heroin from a source in the Youngstown, Ohio area, though the informan\s prpvid�d
differing aliases of the source. The informants further described the source as either
bein9 black or Puerto Rican,
The co.nfidential informants described the nature of the drug distribution· network
of Vihich the Defendant. is accused of operating. One confidential informant described
driving the Defendant to Youngstown to pick up fifty thousand dollars wo.rth of heroin.
Other informants described tha.t the Defendant would. act as a wholesaler to three
different individuals: M:S,, Christopher Gravatt, and Defendant's brother Anthony
Schmidt. These three individuals would then distribute to lower level dealers who would
themselves sen smaller amounts at retail.
Jamie Clobus, M.S.'s girlfriend, corroborated the statements of the co.nficJen.tial
informants. At the heir;1ht of these events. M,.S. did not .have a driver's. license. Clobus
Would drive him. As part of the driving she did for M.S�. Clobus would drive M.S. to
Youngstown, Ohio for M.S. to purchase. heroin front a black male called 'Face'. During
• one trip to Youngstown, Clobus and M,S. were pulled over by police. Afterthat, M:S, had
a discussion with his father, the Defendant, who told M.S; from then on to buy the heroin
directly from him. Clobus was present durihg at least some of the purchases by M.S.
Sl.Fio
JUOI.C!AL
DISTRICT FILED/ORIG! UAL
I..AWl'tEN!::£, 'COUNTY
.. c;.,tts.v.·LVAH.A
2DHHOV -8 .J... ti!!
.
!Q: SO
.
from the Defendant. Clobus told Detective Costa M.S. would re-supply from the
Defendant a feW times a week.
On May 29, 2014, Detective Costa was contacteo by Ohio law enforcement
indicating they. were aware who the Defendant's. supplier was, .and th�y believed the
Defendant would be coming to Younqstownon that day for a meeting with the supplier.
The Ohio police told Detective Costa the identity of the supplier was Alberto Delgado,
also. referred to as Poppy; Because of this tnterlurisdictionat cooperation; a joint
investigation. began between · the Lawrence County Drug Task Force and authorities in
Ohio.
The same day as this fi�t contact with the Ohio authorities, the Lawrence County
Drug Task Force engaged in surveillance of a' black Pontiac which they previously had.
determined to belong to the Defendant. Anthony' Sinibaldi got into the driver's side of the
vehicle and the Defendant got into the passenger's side. The police then su.rveme.d the
Defendant as they drove into Ohio on State. Route 422. When the Defendant's vehicle
reached the Ohio border, the Task force discontinued survejllance, all.owing the Ohi.o
police to take over. The Lawrence ColJnty Drug Task Force maintained contact with the
Ohio, authorities. The Lawrence Courity Drug Task Force was unable to follow the -,
Defendant on his return from Ohio, however Lieiitenant · Anthony Lagne�e had set up .
surveillance at the Defendant's residence. Ueutenant Lagnese observed the Defen��nt
enter the. front door of his residence. A -short time after this observation Christopher
Gravatt went into the residence and then eventually left the scene.
Statements from c.1. 3. indicated the Defendant was buying heroin in such
53AD
JUDICIAL significant quantities that Delgado W;?LJLl�rr,9me· 1G9:·,t,.aLwrence591 A.2d 1067 (Pa. Super. 1991);
Comm.onwe�lth v, Be.sch, 544 Pa. 1, 674 A.2d 655 (1996.) in dismissing the. substantive
Corrupt Organizations: charge .(18 Pa.C.S.A. § 91.1 (b)(2)). at Count 1 of the Information ..
2.. Whether the .trial court erred in dismissing ccunts.z, 3; 4, 5, 6, 7� 8, 10, 1.1,
and 12 charging Conspiracy (18 Pa.C.S.A. § 9.03) pursuant to 1.8 Pa.C.S,A. § 111
through application of Commonwealth v, Savage, 566 A.2d 272 (Pa. Super. 1989);
Commonwealth. v. Abbott,.466 A:2d 644 (Pa. Super. 1983); and U.nited States v, Lanzc1.
26.0 U.S. 377, 382,43 S.Ct.. 1411 14,�. 64 L. Ed. 314 (1922), rn finding that a single c1nd
SJRD
iuoic1AL
DISTRICT FILEDlORIGINAL
.:.,..·,.nrENc;E cc·uNT.Y "0·1·
l . ·7•Jf.itl-8
l,U , f-CJ!jf::�O
••.1 :· ·'-'
P£t1Nsv1..�•tf1·A· 6
........;,.,,
broader conspiracy existed between the Ohio lndictrnent and th� Commonwealth's
prosecution.
The appeal arises out of this Court's gr.ant·o.f the Defendant's Motion to Dismiss
the charges .of Corrupt Organizations and Conspiracy. This Court's. reasoning was as
fi:>llows:
18 Pa.c.s. § 111 provides:
''When conduct constitutes an .offense within the. cencurrentjurlsdicnon of this
Commonwealth and of the Uni.led States or another state, a prosecution i11 any such
other jurisdiction ts a bar to a subsequent prosecution in this Commonwealth under the
foHQwing circumstances:
(t) The first prosecution resulted ln an acquittal or i.n a convkfion as defined in
section 109 of this title (relating to when prosecution barred by former prosecution for
same offense;) and the subsequent prosecution is based on the same conduct unless:
(i) the offense of which the defendant was formerly convicted or acquitted and the
offense for which he is subsequently prosecuted each requires proof of a fact not
required by the other and the law defining each of such offenses is intended to prevent a
substantially diffet�nt harm or evil..or
(ii) the second offense was not consummated when the former trial began.
(,2) The former prosecution was terminated, after the indictment was found, by ,an
acquittal Or' by a 'final order orjudgment for the. defendant Which has not been set aside,
reversed or vacated and which acqulttal, final order or judgment necessarily required a
deterrntnatton inconsistent with a fact which must be establis.hed, for conviction of the
53RO
offense of Which the defendant is $U�.S E;.g�en�!y,p,rosecuted:··
1
JUDIC:IA L
·CIIST R ICT. 17 I lcu/u !,I•;;,; i-: AL
L,(�·R:r.�.�E·. co·uNT.., 'i0'· r. , -8. 71;;.•
, '1 LiQ\l •r,;· so
.. 1. IU "'.·
1
PENNSYI.VANIA
The case. before this Court fell under the analyti�al framework of subsection (1)(1).
The Criminal Complaint was filed against the Defendant in Pennsylvania on June 23,
2014. The Defendant was arrested by authorities ·in Pennsylvania on June 24, 2014. The
Informafion wasfiled against Defendant on October 1, 2014. On December 21 2014, a
Federal Indictment was filed against the D.efendaotand others in the Northern. District of
Ohio, On December 3, 2014, by Preliminary Order of Court, President Judge Dominic.k.
Motto scheduled a Hearing on the Omnibus Pretrial Motion on February 2, 2015, before
now Senior Judge, Thomas M. Piccione. On January 6, 2015, Judge Piccione continued
the case on the Court's own motion to February 6, 2015. On January 13, 2015, March
18, 2015, and May 5; 2015, three Motions tor Continuance were filed by the Defendant,
not opposed .by the Commonwealth, and Granted by Judge Piccione. On May 27, 2015,
the Defendant pleaded guilty pursuant to a plea a.greernen.t to count 1 of the Federal
crimin.al indictment alleging a violation of 21 U.S.C ..§ 846 and violations of 21 U:S.C. §
841. He was sentenced in the Federal case on October 1; 2015. Several additional
. Motions for Connnuanee and additional Omnibus Pretrial .Motions delayed. the first
hearing on the Mo.tions to May 27, 2016.
Defendant avers the. conduct lo Vllhich he pleaded gUilty in Federal Court is part of
the overall criminal enterprise of drug trafficking comprising both the Ohio and the
Lawrence C.ounty distribution network. "[W]hen a defendant raises a non.:ftivolqus prima
facle claim. that a prosecution may be barr.ed under 18 Pa.C.S. § 111, the prosecution
bears a burden to prove by a preponderance of the evidence .either that the 'same
conduct' is not involved, or that a statutory exception to the statutory bar on
'S·JF!C
JUDICiAL. reprosecution applies." Com: v. Sayaqe,,c56f3·, �4d 272, 284 {Pa. Super. 1989). "A
DIST�ICT. f' I LC IJ/ J K I l:d 1: ;':'\ L
Lll.YfJU;:Nc:£ ··couN't'V
l'f::NNSYt..,.V!ltNtA
.. ,u-
2 liiQ\Ii - ·�
U I I .i:<
g'
' •• I
/;;1'1'0'• so
.J.
frivolous claim is a claim clearly and palpably without merit; it is a claim which presents
no debatable question." Com. v. Gains, 556 A.2d 870,.874 (Pa. Super. 1969). Despite
the Commonwealth's contention there is a low amount of overlap between the
conspiracies, the claim these conspiracies are part of a single larger criminal conspiracy
. is not so without merit to warrant a determination .of frivolousness. Therefore! the Court ·
finds Defendanthas put forward anon-frlvolous prfrnafacie claim. that a prosecution may
be barred under 18 PaaC.S. § 111.
Applicable througho.ut the analysis, the Commonwealth stated in its brief the
Defendant pleaded guilty to.21 U.S.C. § 841 and not to Section 846 of the same Title.
This is incorrect. While Count 1 of the federal indictment does nor explicitly reference
Section 846., it does state ··As to Michael L. Schmidt, aka "Big Mike'' , .. , those defendants
conspired to possess with inteJ'it · to distribute and to distribut� a niixt�re or substance
containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance in violation
.of Title 21,. United States Code, Sections 8.41(a)(1} and 841(b)(1)(c)." (emphasis
supplied). Section 841 charges substantive crimes relating to possession. manufacture,.
and deliyeiy ofcontrolled substances; Section 846 is the general conspiracy and attempt
provision whi.ch covers all conspiracies. under t�e same subchapter .. including Sec.tion
841. Because Defendant was charged with conspinng to violate 21 U.S,C. § 841, he was
charged under Section 846, .even though it was not explicitly stated in Count t.
While this is evident from a precise reading of Count 1, it is reinforced in the
federal guilty plea proceeding. Assistant United States Attorney David M. Toepfer,
Esquire. states, 'Yovr Honor, the defendant is pleading guilty to 2 r, .United States· Code,
·53,.p
JUOl<;:IAL
0.ISTRI.CT
LAWRENCE· COUHT·V
PEf4 N.� � L \t'� HI A
·�
The Commonwealth made a second . generally applicable· a rgurnent as to doubl.e
jeopardy resting on .the reasoning of United States v. Roman, 13141.-05, 2015 WL
.224�70, at *2 (ED.. Pa.. Jan. 14. 2015), for th.e proposition "there is no double jeopardy
bar to prosecllting a d.efendant in federal court for the same conduct for which he was ·
prosecuted in state court." kl
This �rgument relies on a misinterpretation of the asymmetric natureof theretes
of Federal Courts and those of tne commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In United States v.. ·
Lanza,. 260 U.S. 377, 382, 43 S. Ct. 141, 1421 67 L.Ed� 314. (1922), the Supreme Court of
the. United States first set forth the theory of separate sovereigns when it held: "It follows
that an act denounced as a. crime by both national and state sovereignties is an offense
agc;1inst the peace and dignity of both .and may be punished by each." Id. Since that
pronouncement; courts, commentators, and some states have expressed the inequity
which they believed resulted from this allowance of separate. prcsecunons for the same
act. As the Commonwealth itself acknowledges; even the Roman Court on which they
rely expressed distaste for the separate sovereigns theory which required the: result in
.that case. In 1973.; 18 Pa.C.S. § 111 was enacted es P.L. 14.82 likely in response to the
devefopirig law of separate sovereignty. With that enactment. Pennsylvania bound itself
to notprosecute under certain circumstances where an ind.i.vidual wasprosecuted forthe
same conduct in another .Jurisdiction. This enactment does not affect Feder.at Courts.•
even those based in Pennsylvania, and it. does not affect . a constitutional double
jeopardy analysis. WhE;m Roman stated "there is no double jeopardy bar to prosecuting a
defendant in federal court for the same conduct for which he was prosecuted in state
5.JRD
JUDICl�L court," Roman; at *2, the court was. referring only to the constitutional double jeopardy
·. · .· . . t f !..tD./OR·l;�i .. } .· .. .
.01STR1.c::r ... -···•,'-\L
f LA.WR.E.HCE COUNl' Y
P�N,.;�v�vA·�.•..,.
wrn�ov -.a Ncrto= so
........... ,
· protections and not the additional state protections by whic.h the Federal Courts are not
bound: IJ\lhile it is hue there is generaily no bar to prosecuting -a defendant in Federal
Court for tt,le same 'conduct forwhich he· was prosecuted' in state court, the converse .is .
notaccutate '; Ccnstitutionat ,qoublejeopardy. issues may· not bar the prosecutlon, .buUhe..
ultlmate outcome concerns tl')e. application · of Section 111.
The Corhh'lo('IW_e·alth., in- its Concise .Staternent of Matters Complained of on
Appeal states this C:ourt relied on Lanza ip finding a si.ng_le corrspiracy.
' .
To be dear,
Lanza. only-forms the background ofJhe doctrine ofseparate sovereiqnty ·and :does not.
control this Court's application of Section 11 t.
Contiri0in·g to.the gravamen of the argument; :app.lyin.g :Coni. _v. Abbott1. 4.66 A.2d
644 (Pa: Super: 198-3), the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in Com.- v. Traitz; '597 A_.2d
1'129, t132.:...33 (Pa, 1991) created a· three question inquiry with regard to whether
Section 11 i applies
.
to bar a subsequent
.
prosecunon.
(1) r� the prosecution the Cornmonweatth ·:proposes to undertake based on Jhe, .
same ttin,9l:IG.t for whi.ch the. individual was _prosecuted by the. other jurisdiction?
(2) Do each ofthe presecutiensrequire proof ot.a fad not required by theother?
(3,l _I� the law. defining .the state offense g_esignec;i to pr�V.ent -a substantially
differentharm or evil thanfne.law definin_g the other jurisdiction's offense?
AbbotUurtherprovid_es:th� method with wh.iot:i to _apply.the.se three .pronqs.
"If we .conclude that the subsequent prosecution is not based on the· same
conduct as. the -fec;l�H�I prosecution, then our analysis is concluded since the statute
makes clear that in s.uch situation subsequent prosecution by the Commonwealth is not
it
S)RO
. . ��ent
·JUDICIAL barred. however, we conc1/Jft.ecl9.f!J�,Ht>,S. .
prosecution bythe Commonwealth Mis
OIS'TR)CT
f
-��,. ,. ,. ,. _
LAWRE.t'C£,, COUl'(T.Y'
2011
.
HOV .;3 ·Ari :11
!O: 50
I
v·.. ,..,,..
based on the same conduct" for which appellant was prosecuted by the federal
government,.the prosecution can proceed only if both of the following conditions .exlst;
(1) each ofthe prosecutions requires. proof of a fact not requited ofthe other; and (2) the
statute upon which the Commonwealth prosecution is based is intencfed to prevent
substantially different harm than is the federal statute ... It would seem that an affirmative
answer to the initial inquiry lowers the bar to the subsequent prosecution and that only
an affirmative response to both of the remaining inquities can lift the bar:" Abbott, 466
A2d at 649 (emphasis supplied).
Then, the first question for this Court was Whether the prosecution the
Commonwealth proposes to undertake is based on the same conduct for which the
individual was prosecuted by the other jurisdiction. For the Commonwealth to avoid the
second .and third Traitz questions, they. must prove by a preponderance of the evidence
the 'federal and state charges are not based on the same conduct. Savage, 566 A.2d at
284.
With regards to the similarity of the conduct involved in the case before this Court,
the Cemrnouwealth's argument was, rather than a single conspiracy, there are two
. separate conspiracies which were charged separately and should· be treated separately
·here. In its brief in support, the Commonwealth asserts "[t)he only overlapping evidence
between-the Ohio lndlctment.and this case and its consolidated co-defendants is (1)the
detendant was obtaining his supply of heroin. for distribution within Lawr.ence County
from Delgado; and (2) the commonwealth presented photographic evidence of Delgado
meeting with the defendant at the. defendant's residence.. here iri New Castle in May of
S3RO.-
JIJOlt·IA.L
·01STRICT FILEDJO RlG iN.•\L
L·A.WRl!NCE COUNT"W:
eE:NN$YL·V4'.NI.._
2on HOV-8 f.f!O� 50
...-..., . ..___
2015, evidencing the delivery of heroin from Delgado to this defendant as arranged and
recorded by the federal authorities in. Ohio.;;.ii
The Defendant does notarg!Je the contacts betweerr the lower levels of tn.eNew
Cast!� conspiracy are significant and intertWined with all levels in the. Ohio co.h$piracy,
but rather, the contacts between the Defendant and Delgado are sufficient to establish · a
single conspiracy involvin9. both locations and each network of individuals.
The Superior Court in Com. v. Savage, 566 A.2d 272 (Pa. Super, 1989). analyzed
the distinction between a single conspiracy and multiple conspiracies in the context of
drug trafficking operations as follows.
"The relevant overt acts in the federal conspiracy were a series of bulk purchases
of cocaine for resale, by appellant from Moskovitz. The relevant overt act in the state
conspiracy was a single sale of a smaller bulk amount of cocaine for resale, by appellant.
to Ms. Janoski' and Mr. Lipinski. Appellantis th� only person designated as a named
conspirator in both conspiracies. The overt act alleged in furtherance of the state
conspiracy occurred during the continuance .of the federal conspiracy. The acts of both
conspiracies occurred in· the same ,general area'. Both conspiracies involved the illegal
sale of cocaine:
In light of the absence of any indication that appellant used any source other than
Moskovitz as a supply for his· wholesale/retail cocaine distribution operation! it w.ould
appear that. vis a vis appellant, the sale of. cocaine which formed the basis of the
present state conspiracy charge could quite possibly have been a necessary facet of his ·
ongoing conspiracy with Mos.kovitz to wholesale and/or retail cocaine. Plainly, the.
s.,l'lo
juoic;iAL . c:lisfribtition of.cocaine from ap.1L�'60,B�i�?ii�ir.holesaler·or retailer envisions .and in fact
DISTRICT-
Cornmonweahh 's Brief in Opposition ·of Omnibus Pretrial Motions, p;22.
4
LAWRCNC£ ·c<>uN·1 V
P.ENN.SV\.VANIA·
· · 201u:ov -a Atqg: so ·
requires the wholesaler or retailer to enter into further agreements with others to
profitably dispose of the wholesaler's or retailer's inventory, thereby providing capital for
future intended purchases fromthe importer. Thus, the fact that.appellant.was the sole .
link be�een the conspiracies was rendered virtually insignificant in. light of appellant's
roles as a buyer in the federal conspiracy, and as a seller in the. alleged state
conspiracy." Id .. at 284-285 (emphasJs ih original):
Savage ultimately·held "[w]hile.it'is possible that appellant had a.separatecccaine
source for the sale to Ms «, Jan.owski and Mr. Lipinski and' that the state conspiracy was
entirely unrelated tothe federal conspiracy', on this record. it is at least equally likely that
the state conspiracy was merely a necessary facet ol the broader federal conspiracy." IQ..
at 2�5,
The circumstances before: the Court closelY. mirror those in Savage� In Savage,
the evidence presented was the Appellant was the distributo.r from 'the wholesale. level to
retailers. the equivalent ofthe Defendant; Moskovitz was an importer who provided the
cocaine to the distributor, the equivalent of Delgado; and Janoski .and Lipinski were
ultimate retailers, th� equiya.lent of the rna.ny retailers in this case; including M.S.,
Gravatt AnthcnySchrmdt, and others.
Without addressing the prior precedent in Savage and ttie factual similarities that
case presents, the Commonwealth rested. its argt.Jment on Delgado and the Defendant
being the only members of the federal indictment who are focused on in .the Lawrence
County Corrupt Organizations case, with only the Defendant being charged· in both
cases. The Savage. holding is clear that .this factor is not dispositive. In any complex
.,53RD
JUDICIAL
015.TR)c·:r
· fll.EO/OHIGiNAL
LAW'R.£NCE c:·ouN·.T.V
2011 f�OV -8 AN 10: 50
fl€.�tf.5V�VAN.JA. 14
import-distribution-retail network, the handling of the distribution leg by .a single party
does not necessarily isolate the retail side ofthe network from the import side.
Additional factual .aspects of this case did not require this Court to rest merely
upon the reasoning it! Savage. Restated, Savage's h.olding is that a single conspiracy
may be established in a drug distribution network when the eonnection between the
· import-distribution conspiracy and the distribution-retail conspiracy is a single person,
and further it is the. Oornmonwealth's burden to show the separateness of the networks.
This case involves more than this singular connection between the two networks. The
Commonwealth glazes over the· $ignificance of the observed May 31, 2014, meeting at
the Defendant's residence, stating, "the Comrr;ionwealth presented. photographic
evidence of Delgado meeting With the defendant at the defendant's residence he.r(! in
New Castle in May of 2015 (sic), evidencing the delivery of heroin from Delgado to this
defendant as arranged and recorded by the federal authoritles in Ohio.;,s What the
Commonwealth fails to state is that also preserit at the meeting were many p.layers in the
retail conspiracy, including Anthony Schmidt, M.S., and Anthony Sinibaldi. With this
meeting, the attenuated connection between the two conspiracies is strengthened and is
far from solely consisting offhe· Defendant and Delgado.
Lastly, in favor of finding the conduct und�r the federal and state cases to be .the.
same, the.. Court looks to the Federal lndictment,
. . ln describing
. the. "Manner
. . and Means of
the Conspiracy" the Federal indictment states: "It was further part of the conspiracy that
[Delgado] supplied heroin to [the Defendant] for distribution in· the New Castle, ·
Pennsylvania, area:" The Federal Indictment itself considers the New Castle distribution
���������-FILEDiORIGl!·IAL
.SJR.D
J.UDiCIAL
i:1tS:rR1CT
· s Commonwealth's. Brief in Op�sition of Omnibus Pretrial Mo!ions,.p.22.
LAW"' ENCE COl:JHT Y
Z017NOV
. . ·� v A·II
_Q ::11·0·• ;-n
"J'.S
Pi:NNSVt..YANIA·
network to be part of the broader conspiracy to which De.fendant p.leaded .guilty in •
Federal Court.
As iii . Savage, the Commonwealth did not meet their burden of showing by a
preponderance of the evidence the conduct'involved in the stats and federal cases is not
tne same.
Because the first of the Traitz questions was; answered in the affirmative.
indicating the same conduct was involved in the federal and state cases. this Court
turned to the second. and third prongs to determine if the charges constitute statutory
double jeopardy under Sectiont t t.
Th� most recent Amended Information, fih�d on May 14, 2015, charges the
Defendantwith five types of charges: Corrupt Organizations- Control in Enterprise. 18
Pa.C.S. § �11{b)(2); Crimin�I Conspiracy to Violate 35 P.S. § 780�113(a)(30), 18
· · Pa.C.S, § 903; Possession With Intentto Deliver, 35 P.S. § 780-113'(a)l30); Corruption of
Minors. 18 Pa.C.S. § 6301(a)f 1)(ii); and Cqnspiracy to Violate Corrupt Organizafrons, 18
Pa.C.S. § 9-11(b)(4).6
Beginning with the several charges of Conspiracy; the holding in Savage bars the
state prosecution for Conspiracy to Violate 35 P.S. § 780,.;113(a)(30). While the principal
issue in Savage was not the a.pplica,tion of the second and third Traitz questions; the
application of those questions to the fact pattern did not go unresolved. Savage held:
"the Commonwealth failed to meet its burden to establish by a preponderance of the
evidence. that separate conspiracies were involved, and likewise failed to estc:1blish the
existence of substantially different interests to be protected by the second conspiracy
53.RD
JUDit:IAL
The Defendant in their Brief in Supptirt b[ib'ef ,.;16.io'ii ib'..6.ismiss addresses the additional, charge ofCorrupf
6
l)ISTff IC:T
brgan izatlons ...:. Employee, pursuanr to l 8 Pa. C'S, § .9 ll (b)(.J), bowever from the most recent amended in formauon,
l:AWflENC£ cov.tSavage; 566 A.2d at 285. The second and third Traitz
questions regarding the nature of the government interests involved do not depend on
factual distinctions from case to case but rather rely on the. legal principles behind
. specific .charqes, For this reason. the application of Savage to this aspect of the present
Conspiracy charges did not require relitigation. For these reasons Counts 2, 3',4, 5, 6, 7,
8, 1 o, 1 ti and 12 were DISMISSED with prejudice.
Next, the Court addressed Count 1 of the Information, the charge of Corrupt
Organizations - Control in Enterprise, and .Count 14, the charge of Conspiracy to Violate
the. CorrupLOrganizations statute pursuant to Section 91 t(b)(4).7
Wtiether the. charges of Corruption Organizations under Section 911(b)(3J and
911(b)(4) in Pennsylvania are barred by the statutory double jeopardy provision of 18
Pa.C.S. § 111 was discussed at lehgth by the Superior Co1,1rt in Com. v. Wetton, 591
A.2.d 1067 (Pa. Super, 1991) and on appeal to the Supreme Court in Com. v. Wetton,
641 A.2d 574 (Pa. 1994.).
As .a preliminary matter, the Superior Court held Section 111 barred prosecution
of a Section 9f1(b)(4) charge where if. .Iollowed a federal prosecution of the same
conduct under 21 U.S:C. § 846. Because this issue was left undisturbed by the Supreme
Court, this Court held Count 14 ofthe Information charging Conspiracy to violate the
Corrupt Organizations statute pursuant to. Sectic;m 911 (b){4) was DISMISSED with
prejudice.
53,.o
· ·· r-·11 [::-- /-"P' �'"':\I
. 'In its Concise'Statementof'Maners CofupTa�niid�foht;ipp�ar. the Commonwealth did not slate the Court erred wit.h
JI.JDiCIAL
.Dl.$TR !CT
regard io its dismissal of Section .9 I I (b)(4). This Court addresses it here merely.as it -cohereswith boih the conspiracy
dismissal and the remajnderofthe COl'TllObOr�nizations·anelysiso
. . . · · · Llll I nu'I -o. fU1 HJ'· .J
CE.
17
t.:A.WR.£N CO.UNT·>'.
ilfCN.HSV�v.. .-..t-1•�· -
'·�:-:�-·1·t1 .:: . .
t: ::i e ' . : : := 0 R G '· f'
'.it•�:. �;:(···
.,-: ;, ' . • ' . s. I,, Lt: r.' I.;
Wetton presents. a nearly identical factual scenario to that before the. Court.
Defendant Wetton was subject to a federal prosecution and convicted of violating federal
drug trafficking law under 21 U.S.C. § 84.6, as was the Defendant in this case. Defendant
Wetton · then challenged whether his conviction for Section 846. barred subsequent
prosecution under Section 911 where the federal drug conspiracy was based on the
same conduct as the Pennsylvania Section 911 charge. Despite the. simple factual
similarity o.f the. cases. the three applicable opinions discussing Section $11(b.){3) in
.Wetton present a somewhat complex a.nalytical posture.
The Watton Superior Court· held Section 911(b){3) is not .barred by double
jeopardy conslderations because it targets a separate evil from the federal drug
conspiracy statute. In. coming to this conclusion, the. Superior Court held:
"The evil targeted by the corrupt organization statute is the covert
introduction of organized criminal activity into the law�abiding business
community. Such permeation of the business community with criminal
elements is .accomplished by violence and intimidation: 18 Pa.C.S. §
.9.1.1ca)(3) ..
The federal conspiracy statute targets illegal agreements to violate the
federal drug laws. 21 U.S.C.A. § 846. The federal drug trafficking laws are .
. directed at controlling the illegal use of contr9iied substances to prevent the •
.detrimental effect otsuctr use. See, 21 V,S.C.A. § 801(2), This activity is
totally criminal. It does not directly impact upon legitimate business activity,
nor is it an a:tteinpt to gain control otthat community." Id. at 1074.
The basis for the Superior q>urt's decision was that the Pennsylvania Corrupt
Organizations charge targeted the permeation of illegal activity into legitimate business
.53Ro:
JVDIC.tAi..
D.15.TRic't whereas the Federal drug cdii��cf1jflargeltargeted wholly illegitimate activity.
2011 NOi/ -8 AM. iO: 50
LAW�ENca: COUNTY
f"E�NsY·.LvA,..IA. 18..
The second and third Traitz questions were thus both answered in the
affirmative. The Corrupt Organizations charge had an additlona! element, and lt targeted
a separate evil from the federal conspiracy charge. The appeal 1ri Wettor.r to the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania resulted in an equally divided court By . rule, this
resulted in the Opinion of the Superior Court remaining in effect.
The sole. area of difference between the Opinion in Support of Affirmance and the
Opinion in Support of Reversal was the result of the third Traitz question. The Opinion in
Support ofAffirmance adopted the rationale espoused by the Superior Court and did not ·
perform a.separate analysis.
The Opinion ih Support of Reversal described the disfinction-ot the SuperiorCourt
as one of form over substance .. The. Opinion further described the governmental interest
as�the elimination ofthe pervasive drug trafficking network in our society." Id. at 579.
Subsequentto the decisions in the Wetton appeals and in response to the case of
Com. v. Besch, 544 .Pa. 1, 674 A.2d 655 (199,6.), the Pennsylvania Legislature modified
the Corrupt Organizations law in Section 9.11. Besch addressed whether the Corrupt
. . .. could extend
·.O. rganizations. statute to the . prosecution of·a wholly. illegitimate enterprise.
.
The. Pennsylvania.Supreme Court. held that based on .it,e statute as it than read (and
ho'>.' it read in the.Wetton opinions). the C�:>rrupt Organizations charge did not extend to
wholly illegitirnate.·enterprises.
Modifications by the legislature following the Besch decision controverted the
interpretation of the Wetton Superior Court, the Opinion in Support of Affirmante by tt,e
Wetton 'Supreme Court. and the ultim.at� holding of the Besch case. The legislature, in
!13RD
JUDICiAL r:edefining "Enterprlse" underE the. 0··. Jtatute, stated; "Enterprise' means any individu,al,
·0·1sTR.fcr IIL.olJ/ n.fGINAL
1.AWPENc-. .1;01,JN."rY
P£HNs·vLvA·N·•A
nn NOV -8 AM 10': S.�
partnership, corporation, .associatlon or other legal entity, and any union or group of
individuals associated in fact although not a legal entity, engaged in commerce and
includes legitimate ,as well as ;!legitimate entities and governmental entities." 18 Pa:C:S.
§ 911 (h )(3) .(emphasis supplied). The changes made to the statute modified the law in a
manner resulting in congruence with the reasoning of the Opinion in Support of
Reversal. Because the Opinion ih Support of Affitrnanc.e in Wettoil was C.on.clitioned on
the Superior Court's reasoning regarding the targeting of the statute tow.a·rd legitin,ate
enterprises, only the reas.bning set forth. in the Opimon in Support of Reversal remains
.applicable and ot persuasive value.
For .ttrese reasons, the Court held the. charge· of Corrupt Organizations under
Section 911(b)(3) targeted substantially the same evil as the Federal conspiracy charge
and would .be barred under the statutory double jeopardy provision pursuant to 18
Pa.c.s. § t'11. While Defendant is charged with Section 911(b){2) rather than (b)(3), the
difference being the Defendant is the alleged ringleader of the enterprise as- opposed to
.ah employee, the evil again$t which the statute is targeted is the same. Count 1 of the
information. charging Corrupt Organizations - Control in Enterprise was DISMISSED with
prejudice.
In its Concise Statement the Commonwealth contends this Court found the
Corrupt Organizations charge to be barred based on application ofWetfon and Besch. ln ·
further ctarlflcanon of this court's position, while the Wetton opinions and the Besch
opinion form the background. of iti present holding, the modifications of the Corrupt
Organization$ statute made t;>y the legislature rattler than these cases themselves
. SJRO
controlled this Court's reasqning. In the case of Welton. the changes made by the
r I Lt:iJ I a t(I G iN/\ L
JUOICI� L·
·DISTRICT. .
LAWAENo;·E COUN1
�E.f'.iNS.VLVA·N1J1tr
V 2011NOV -8 AH IQ: sow
legislature now mandate the.opposite of the orif,inal Superior Court result, and this Court
proceeded to apply the law in that manner.
The Order of this Cou.rt partially granting Defendant's Moti.on toDismiss Based on
Double Jeopardy and 18 Pa.C.S, § 111 should be AFFIRMED and the appealshould be
DENIED.
!llRD
JU,OICIA.L
FILED/ORIGINAL
DISTR.ICT
2017NOV-8 AHIO: 50
._ .. WIU:NCIE .COUNTY
P£N'N$Y C..�AN.,A