State v. Eisenmann

NOTICE: NOT FOR OFFICIAL PUBLICATION.
UNDER ARIZONA RULE OF THE SUPREME COURT 111(c), THIS DECISION IS NOT PRECEDENTIAL
AND MAY BE CITED ONLY AS AUTHORIZED BY RULE.
IN THE
ARIZONA COURT OF APPEALS
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF ARIZONA, Appellee,
v.
GARY LANE EISENMANN, Appellant.
Nos. 1 CA-CR 17-0144; 1 CA-CR 17-0155 (Consolidated)
FILED 10-18-2018
Appeal from the Superior Court in Maricopa County
Nos. CR2012-009381-001; CR14-001133-001 (Consolidated)
The Honorable Teresa A. Sanders, Judge
AFFIRMED AS MODIFIED
COUNSEL
Arizona Attorney General’s Office, Phoenix
By Michelle L. Hogan, Joseph T. Maziarz
Counsel for Appellee
The Law Office of Kyle T. Green, PLLC, Tempe
By Kyle T. Green
Counsel for Appellant
STATE v. EISENMANN
Decision of the Court
MEMORANDUM DECISION
Judge James P. Beene delivered the decision of the Court, in which Judge
James B. Morse Jr. and Chief Judge Samuel A. Thumma joined.
B E E N E, Judge:
¶1 The State obtained a 71-count indictment against Gary Lane
Eisenmann (“Eisenmann”), alleging various felony offenses, including nine
counts of misconduct involving weapons (“MIW”). The State later indicted
Eisenmann on ten additional MIW counts. The superior court consolidated
these cases, but severed the MIW counts from the other charges. After a
jury convicted Eisenmann of all non-MIW counts, the 19 MIW charges
proceeded to a bench trial, where Eisenmann was found guilty on all
counts.
¶2 Eisenmann appeals his jury trial convictions for theft and
theft of means of transportation, as well as taking the identity of another
and aggravated taking the identity of another, arguing that his convictions
violate his double jeopardy rights. Eisenman also timely filed an appeal in
accordance with Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967) and State v. Leon,
104 Ariz. 297 (1969) following his bench trial convictions for 19 counts of
MIW. In this consolidated appeal, for the following reasons, for
Eisenmann’s appeal challenging the jury verdicts, we (1) merge together the
counts for theft with the counts of theft of means of transportation, (2)
vacate Eisenmann’s convictions and sentences for theft of means of
transportation, (3) we merge together the counts for taking the identity of
another with the count for aggravated taking the identity of another, (4)
vacate Eisenmann’s convictions and sentences for the taking the identity of
another counts, and (5) affirm his remaining convictions and sentences. For
Eisenmann’s Anders appeal challenging the bench trial convictions, we
affirm his convictions and sentences for the MIW charges.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
¶3 From May 2012 through August 2012, Eisenmann and his
codefendant committed multiple burglaries at different residences.
Eisenmann broke into these residences and stole property including guns,
credit cards, and vehicles. In one burglary, Eisenmann stole a Toyota
Forerunner, and in a later burglary, he stole a 2008 Infiniti. Eisenmann gave
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the stolen credit cards to his codefendant who then used them to purchase
items in the respective victims’ names. During one of the burglaries,
Eisenmann stole a cellphone and used it to call a phone belonging to him.
The police tracked this phone call, suspected Eisenmann of the burglaries,
and surveilled him. On August 21, 2012, the police pulled over a vehicle in
which Eisenmann was a passenger and arrested him.
¶4 After proceeding to a jury trial, and subsequent bench trial,
Eisenmann was found guilty as charged on all counts. At sentencing,
Eisenmann received multiple concurrent sentences, the longest of which
was 25 years’ imprisonment. Eisenmann timely appealed. We have
jurisdiction pursuant to Article 6, Section 9, of the Arizona Constitution and
Arizona Revised Statutes (“A.R.S.”) sections 12-120.21(A)(1), 13-4031, and
-4033(A).
DISCUSSION
I. Eisenmann’s Challenges To The Jury Verdicts.
¶5 Eisenmann argues that his convictions for theft and theft of
means of transportation, as well as his convictions for taking the identity of
another and aggravated taking the identity of another, violated his double
jeopardy rights. We analyze each argument in turn.
A. Standard of review.
¶6 “We review claims of double jeopardy de novo.” State v.
Braidick, 231 Ariz. 357, 359, ¶ 6 (App. 2013). Because Eisenmann did not
raise an objection on double jeopardy grounds below, we limit our review
to fundamental error. State v. Price, 218 Ariz. 311, 313, ¶ 4 (App. 2008); State
v. Henderson, 210 Ariz. 561, 567, ¶ 19 (2005). “[D]ouble jeopardy principles
prohibit convictions for both a greater offense and a lesser included offense,
and a violation of double jeopardy is fundamental error.” Price, 218 Ariz.
at 313, ¶ 4. We review de novo whether an offense is considered a
lesser-included offense. State v. Cheramie, 218 Ariz. 447, 448, ¶¶ 6-8 (2008).
B. Theft and theft of means of transportation.
¶7 Eisenmann argues that his charges for both theft and theft of
means of transportation violated his double jeopardy rights. He argues that
theft is a lesser-included offense of theft of means of transportation.
Without deciding that issue, we conclude that Eisenmann’s double
jeopardy rights were violated when he was convicted of theft involving the
Forerunner and Infiniti under A.R.S. § 13-1802 as well as theft of means of
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transportation of these same vehicles under A.R.S. § 13-1814, all based on
the same acts by Eisenmann. “Although we do not search the record for
fundamental error, we will not ignore it when we find it.” State v. Fernandez,
216 Ariz. 545, 554, ¶ 32 (App. 2007).
¶8 “The Double Jeopardy Clauses of the United States and
Arizona Constitutions protect criminal defendants from multiple
convictions and punishments for the same offense.” State v. Ortega, 220
Ariz. 320, 323, ¶ 9 (App. 2008). “[W]here the same act or transaction
constitutes a violation of two distinct statutory provisions, the test to be
applied to determine whether there are two offenses or only one, is whether
each provision requires proof of a fact which the other does not.” Id. at
323-24, ¶ 9 (quoting Blockburger v. United States, 284 U.S. 299, 304 (1932)).
“In other words, in order to avoid double jeopardy, it must be possible to
violate one statute without violating the other.” State v. Cope, 241 Ariz. 323,
325, ¶ 8 (App. 2016). “Distinct statutory provisions constitute the same
offense if they are comprised of the same elements.” State v. Siddle, 202 Ariz.
512, 516, ¶ 10 (App. 2002).
¶9 “The Blockburger same-elements test focuses on the statutory
elements of the two crimes charged, not on the factual proof that is offered
or relied upon to secure a conviction.” State v. Cook, 185 Ariz. 358, 361 (App.
1995). In applying this test, “we need look only to the statutory elements of
the offenses to see if each statute contains an element not contained in the
other; we may not consider the particular facts of the case in making that
determination.” Id. “But Blockburger does not preclude consideration of the
offense as it has been charged in determining the elements of an offense and
whether two offenses are the same.” Ortega, 220 Ariz. at 325, ¶ 14.
¶10 The relevant charges are found in Counts 11, 12, 34, and 35.1
For Count 11, the State alleged that “[o]n or between July 11 and July 12,
2012, [Eisenmann], without lawful authority, knowingly controlled
[respective victim’s] television and/or Toyota Forerunner, of a value of
$4000 or more but less than $25,000, knowing or having reason to know that
the property was stolen[.]” For Count 12, the State alleged that “[o]n or
between July 11 and July 12, 2012, [Eisenmann], without lawful authority,
knowingly controlled [respective victim’s] TOYOTA FORERUNNER, a
means of transportation, knowing or having reason to know that the
property was stolen[.]”
1 We reference the numbered counts used in the amended indictment.
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¶11 For Count 34, the State alleged that “[o]n or between July 23,
2012, and July 28, 2012, [Eisenmann], without lawful authority, knowingly
controlled [respective victim’s] 2008 INFINITI, jewelry, cash, purse, clock,
televisions and/or painting with a value of $25,000 or more but less than
$100,000, knowing or having reason to know that the property was
stolen[.]” For Count 35, the State alleged that “[o]n or between July 23, 2012,
and July 28, 2012, [Eisenmann], without lawful authority, knowingly
controlled [respective victim’s] 2008 Infiniti, a means of transportation,
knowing or having reason to know that the property was stolen[.]”
Eisenmann was convicted of each of these counts.
¶12 Using the Blockburger same-elements test to compare the
elements of the charges for both theft and theft of means of transportation,
each statute requires the State to prove that the defendant (1) without
lawful authority, (2) knowingly controlled (3) either the property of another
or another person’s means of transportation and (4) knew or had reason to
know the property was stolen. A.R.S. §§ 13-1802(A)(5), -1814(A)(5).
Property as defined in this statute may include a means of transportation.
See State v. Garcia, 235 Ariz. 627, 631, ¶ 10 (App. 2014) (“There is no
suggestion in this broad definition [under A.R.S. § 13-1801(A)(12)] that
’property’ does not include a means of transportation.”). The only
difference between the two crimes charged is that A.R.S. § 13-1802(G)
requires proof of value of the property stolen to determine the felony
classification while A.R.S. § 13-1814 does not. Therefore, because it would
be impossible to violate A.R.S. § 13-1814 without also violating A.R.S.
§ 13-1802, Eisenmann’s double jeopardy rights were violated when he was
convicted and sentenced under Counts 11 and 12 and Counts 34 and 35.
Cope, 241 Ariz. at 325, ¶ 8 (“[I]n order to avoid double jeopardy, it must be
possible to violate one statute without violating the other.”).
¶13 We therefore merge Eisenmann’s convictions under Count 11
and Count 12, vacate his sentence under Count 12, and affirm his sentence
under Count 11. For these same reasons, we also merge his convictions
under Count 34 and Count 35, vacate his sentence under Count 35, and
affirm his sentence under Count 34.
C. Taking the identity of another and aggravated taking the
identity of another.
¶14 Eisenmann next argues that the State violated his double
jeopardy rights by charging him with taking the identity of another as well
as aggravated taking the identity of another. Eisenmann notes that in
Counts 21, 28, 44, and 55 of the indictment (alleging taking the identity of
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another), the State alleged that he “knowingly took, purchased,
manufactured, recorded, possessed or used any personal identifying
information . . . of [the respective victims], without consent, with the intent
to obtain or use, the identity for any unlawful purpose or to cause loss to a
person[.]”
¶15 Eisenmann also notes that the State alleged in Count 61 for
aggravated taking the identity of another that he
knowingly took, purchased, manufactured, recorded,
possessed or used any personal identifying information . . . of
[the respective victims], three or more other persons . . .
including real or fictitious persons . . . without the consent of
the other persons . . . with the intent to obtain or use the other
persons’ . . . identities for any unlawful purpose or to cause
loss to the persons . . . whether or not the persons . . . actually
suffer any economic loss[.]
He argues that taking the identity of another is a lesser-included offense of
aggravated taking the identity of another with the only additional
requirement for the aggravated count being the need for “three or more
persons[.]”
¶16 Here, Eisenmann’s convictions for both taking the identity of
another and aggravated taking the identity of another constitute
fundamental error because taking the identity of another is a
lesser-included offense of aggravated taking the identity of another.
Counts 21, 28, 44, and 55 are based on A.R.S. § 13-2008, which is the lesser-
included offense of A.R.S. § 13-2009 and the basis for Count 61. Each
element of A.R.S. § 13-2008(A) is a constituent part of A.R.S. § 13-2009(A).
The only additional factor under § 13-2009 is that the defendant committed
taking the identity of another person with “three or more persons” as
victims. See State v. Chabolla-Hinojosa, 192 Ariz. 360, 363, ¶¶ 11-12 (App.
1998) (lesser-included offense is composed solely of some but not all the
elements of the greater crime and is “always a constituent part of the greater
offense”). Thus, Eisenmann’s double jeopardy rights were violated when
he was convicted of the charges under Counts 21, 28, 44, and 55 (the
lesser-included offenses), as well as Count 61 (the greater offense). See State
v. Becerra, 231 Ariz. 200, 205, ¶ 20 (App. 2013) (“A defendant’s right not to
be subjected to double jeopardy is violated if he is convicted of both a
greater and lesser-included offense.”).
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¶17 Because Eisenmann’s convictions for both the greater and
lesser-included offenses for taking the identity of another person violated
his double jeopardy rights and resulted in fundamental error, we merge
Counts 21, 28, 44, and 55 with his conviction under Count 61 and vacate the
sentences for Counts 21, 28, 44, and 55. See Merlina v. Jejna, 208 Ariz. 1, 4
n.4, ¶ 14 (App. 2004) (“The principal danger in multiplicity [—] that the
defendant will be given multiple sentences for the same offense [—] can be
remedied at any time by merging the convictions and permitting only a
single sentence.”); see also A.R.S. § 13-4037(A).
D. Jury instructions.2
¶18 Eisenmann also argues that the instruction for the definition
of a dangerous offense was not properly submitted to the jury during the
trial’s aggravation phase. “We review a trial court’s refusal to give a jury
instruction for an abuse of discretion.” State v. Moody, 208 Ariz. 424, 467,
¶ 197 (2004). “We will reverse only if the instructions, taken together,
would have misled the jurors. Where the law is adequately covered by
instructions as a whole, no reversible error has occurred.” State v. Doerr,
193 Ariz. 56, 65, ¶ 35 (1998) (citation omitted).
¶19 Eisenmann requested the jury instruction for the definition of
a “dangerous offense” be given as defined in A.R.S. § 13-105(13), which
states: “‘Dangerous offense’ means an offense involving the discharge, use
or threatening exhibition of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, or
the intentional or knowing infliction of serious physical injury on another
person.” Instead, the instruction given read as follows: “‘Dangerous
offense’ means an offense that involved the discharge, use or threatening
exhibition of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.”
¶20 Here, the court did not abuse its discretion by denying
Eisenmann’s requested instruction of the full definition of dangerous
offense under A.R.S. § 13-105(13). The State did not allege that Eisenmann
had used any weapon to cause serious physical injury on another person.
The court properly recognized this issue:
Dangerous offense means an offense involving the discharge,
use, or threatening exhibition of a deadly weapon or
2 In his Anders appeal, Eisenmann included a claim unrelated to the
MIW counts. Because this issue deals with a non-MIW claim, we will
address the jury instruction argument in this section of the decision.
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dangerous instrument, or the intentional or knowing
infliction of serious physical injury on another person.
I mean, that’s not applicable. There’s no allegation that you
did that. There’s no allegation that you intentionally or
knowingly inflicted serious physical injury on a person.
¶21 Including the phrase “or the intentional or knowing infliction
of serious physical injury on another person” in the jury instructions would
have been irrelevant and potentially confusing to the jury. State v.
Musgrove, 223 Ariz. 164, 167, ¶ 6 (App. 2009) (“[A] court . . . should reject a
‘proffered jury instruction that misstates the law or has the potential to
mislead or confuse the jury.’”) (quoting State v. Rivera, 177 Ariz. 476, 479
(App. 1994)). Therefore, the court did not abuse its discretion in denying
Eisenmann’s requested instruction.
II. Eisenmann’s Anders Claims.
¶22 For his convictions following the bench trial, counsel for
Eisenmann has advised the court that, after searching the entire record,
counsel has found no arguable question of law and asks this court to
conduct an Anders review of the record. Eisenman was given the
opportunity to file a supplemental brief pro se and has done so. Eisenmann
raises several arguments in his supplemental pro se brief. We address each
in turn.
A. Unlawful search.
¶23 Eisenmann first argues that the superior court erred in
denying his motion to suppress evidence found through law enforcement’s
request to search the phone records of one of the victims. He argues that
he was an aggrieved person under A.R.S. § 13-3015(c) and 18 U.S.C.
§ 2518(10)(a)(iii). “We review a trial court’s ruling on a motion to suppress
for an abuse of discretion.” State v. Peterson, 228 Ariz. 405, 407-08, ¶ 6 (App.
2011).
¶24 Here, the superior court did not err in denying Eisenmann’s
motion. In the minute entry regarding the motion, the court noted that
Eisenmann
concedes in his motion that the request made by law
enforcement, which ultimately led police to [his] phone
number, was based on the victim’s stolen cell phone. Since
law enforcement was using the victim’s phone number to
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obtain information and [Eisenmann] did not own that phone
or have any legal right to that phone, he has no standing to
object to any information not properly or legally obtained.
¶25 We agree. Eisenmann does not have standing to raise a legal
objection regarding the privacy rights of someone else’s phone. See State v.
Gortarez, 141 Ariz. 254, 259 (1984) (“[W]e note that appellant has no
standing to challenge the validity of tapes of telephone calls to which he
was not a party.”).
¶26 Eisenmann also makes several arguments that an affidavit for
a court-ordered wiretap, as well as an application for a wiretap, on the
victim’s phone did not meet certain statutory requirements. The same legal
reasoning applies to Eisenmann’s first argument: he has no standing to
make legal arguments regarding the victim’s phone because he did not own
that phone. Thus, the court did not abuse its discretion in denying his
motion.
B. Search warrants.
¶27 Eisenmann next raises issues regarding the legal sufficiency
of several of the search warrants issued in this case. He argues that search
warrant 2012-008515 failed to particularly describe the place to be searched
or to establish probable cause. He argues that search warrant 2012-007841
also failed to establish probable cause. He further argues that the police
unlawfully searched vehicles not described in a warrant. While Eisenmann
asks us to review these issues de novo, Eisenmann already argued these
issues in separate motions to suppress, and the superior court ruled on both
motions. The correct standard of review for the court’s rulings on these
motions to suppress is for an abuse of discretion. Peterson, 228 Ariz. at
407-08, ¶ 6.
¶28 Here, we cannot consider Eisenmann’s arguments because he
has failed to provide correct citations to the record sufficient to locate the
specified search warrants. See Ariz. R. Crim. P. 31.10(a)(7)(B) (requiring
each argument to contain, “[f]or each issue, references to the record on
appeal where the issue was raised and ruled on”). Eisenmann does not
reference the record on appeal but instead references either the superior
court docket or exhibits attached to his motions, both of which are
insufficient records for our review. Therefore, we presume that the court
did not abuse its discretion in denying these motions. See Phx. Airport
Travelodge v. Dolgin, 12 Ariz. App. 358, 360 (1970) (“If . . . the partial record
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i[s] insufficient to decide the issue, we will presume the trial court
correct.”).
C. Sufficiency of the evidence.
¶29 Eisenmann next argues that there was not substantial
evidence presented to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt for his MIW
convictions, Counts 1 through 19. Eisenmann notes that the allegations for
these charges required that he “knowingly possessed” each firearm. He
further notes that in Counts 1 through 10, as well as 19, others occupied the
premises where the firearms were found, and in Counts 11-17, an
accomplice was involved. Eisenmann argues that because no one
witnessed him possessing these firearms, and others were either present or
involved as an accomplice, the evidence was insufficient to prove that every
element was met and proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
¶30 The question of sufficiency of the evidence is one of law that
we review de novo. State v. West, 226 Ariz. 559, 562, ¶ 15 (2011). “We review
the sufficiency of evidence presented at trial only to determine whether
substantial evidence supports the . . . verdict, viewing the facts in the light
most favorable to sustaining the . . . verdict.” State v. Cox, 217 Ariz. 353, 357,
¶ 22 (2007) (internal quotations and citation omitted). “[T]he relevant
question is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable
to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential
elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” State v. Mathers, 165
Ariz. 64, 66 (1990) (quoting Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979)).
¶31 To prove the MIW charges, the State had to prove that
Eisenmann knowingly possessed a “deadly weapon” or “prohibited
weapon” and was a prohibited possessor. A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(4). “‘Deadly
weapon’ means anything that is designed for lethal use. The term includes
a firearm.” A.R.S. § 13-3101(A)(1). “Prohibited possessor” means any
person who has been convicted of a felony within or without the state.
A.R.S. § 13-3101(A)(7)(b). “‘Possess’ means knowingly to have physical
possession or otherwise to exercise dominion or control over property.”
A.R.S. § 13-105(34).
¶32 Here, the evidence was sufficient to support each of the MIW
convictions. At the bench trial, Eisenmann was proven to be a convicted
felon and had not filed to have his civil rights restored to possess a
handgun. The State correctly noted that evidence established at the jury
trial on the other counts indicated that the guns were found both in
Eisenmann’s warehouse and the vehicle in which he was arrested, all
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within Eisenmann’s dominion or control. The State then called two
witnesses who testified that the firearms listed in the MIW charges were
functional. Given the evidence produced at trial, we conclude that
substantial evidence supports the superior court’s verdicts on these counts.
D. Multiplicity.
¶33 Eisenmann argues that Counts 2 through 10 of his MIW
charges were multiplicitous. He contends that regardless of the number of
firearms found in the warehouse, there is only one offense of felony
possession, not multiple offenses unless it can be shown that the firearms
were acquired at various times.
¶34 A charge is multiplicitous if it charges a single offense in
multiple counts and thereby raises the potential for multiple punishments
for a single act. State v. Brown, 217 Ariz. 617, 620, ¶ 7 (App. 2008) (citation
omitted). Here, Counts 2 through 10 were not multiplicitous because the
charges were not for a single act. Eisenmann was not charged and
convicted under Counts 2 through 10 for a single offense of misconduct
involving the same firearm. Each of the counts required proof that
Eisenmann possessed distinct firearms at different times. Therefore,
Counts 2 through 10 were not multiplicitous.
E. Sufficiency of indictment.
¶35 Eisenmann next argues that Counts 11 through 19 in the
amended indictment failed to fairly inform him of the charges against him.
Specifically, Eisenmann argues that these counts failed to describe or
inform him as to which firearm he allegedly possessed on any given date.
Eisenmann raised the same argument when he filed a motion to dismiss
these charges, but the superior court denied the motion and found that it
had no merit.
¶36 We review a superior court’s denial of a motion to dismiss for
an abuse of discretion. State v. Martinez, 220 Ariz. 56, 58, ¶ 5 (App. 2008).
Here, each of Counts 11 through 19 list specific dates in which the State
alleged Eisenmann possessed a firearm. The indictment did not require the
State to allege that Eisenmann possessed distinct firearms because the
charges only required proof that Eisenmann possessed a firearm, a deadly
weapon, on the respective dates alleged. Therefore, we find that the court
did not abuse its discretion in denying Eisenmann’s motion.
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CONCLUSION
¶37 For his convictions after the bench trial, this Court has read
and considered the record and Eisenmann’s pro se supplemental brief, and
has searched the record provided for reversible error and has found none.
See Leon, 104 Ariz. at 300; State v. Clark, 196 Ariz. 530, 537, ¶ 30 (App. 1999).
¶38 For the foregoing reasons, we (1) merge Eisenmann’s
convictions under Count 11 and Count 12, vacate his sentence under Count
12, and affirm his sentence under Count 11; (2) merge his convictions under
Count 34 and Count 35, vacate his sentence under Count 35, and affirm his
sentence under Count 34; (3) merge his convictions under Counts 21, 28, 44,
and 55 for taking the identify of another with his conviction for aggravated
taking the identity of another under Count 61, and affirm his sentence
under Count 61; and (4) vacate his convictions and sentences under Counts
21, 28, 44, and 55.
¶39 Upon the filing of this decision, defense counsel is directed to
inform Eisenmann of the status of the appeal and of his future options. For
his convictions after the bench trial, defense counsel has no further
obligations unless, upon review, counsel identifies an issue appropriate for
submission to the Arizona Supreme Court by petition for review. See State
v. Shattuck, 140 Ariz. 582, 584-85 (1984). Eisenman shall have 30 days from
the date of this decision to proceed, if he desires, with a pro se motion for
reconsideration or petition for review.
AMY M. WOOD • Clerk of the Court
FILED: AA
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