Filiberto Rivera v. State of Indiana

Pursuant to Ind.Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be
regarded as precedent or cited before
any court except for the purpose of Mar 18 2014, 9:22 am
establishing the defense of res judicata,
collateral estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT: ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE:
PATRICK A. DUFF GREGORY F. ZOELLER
Duff Law, LLC Attorney General of Indiana
Evansville, Indiana
LARRY D. ALLEN
Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
FILIBERTO RIVERA, )
)
Appellant-Defendant, )
)
vs. ) No. 82A04-1305-CR-264
)
STATE OF INDIANA, )
)
Appellee-Plaintiff. )
APPEAL FROM THE VANDERBURGH SUPERIOR COURT
The Honorable Robert J. Pigman, Judge
Cause No. 82D02-1206-FC-684
March 18, 2014
MEMORANDUM DECISION - NOT FOR PUBLICATION
VAIDIK, Chief Judge
Case Summary
Filiberto Rivera appeals his convictions for Class C felony burglary, Class D
felony theft, and two counts of Class B misdemeanor criminal mischief, arguing that the
evidence is insufficient to sustain them. He also argues that the trial court erred in
ordering one criminal-mischief sentence to be served consecutively to his other
concurrent sentences. Finding sufficient evidence and no abuse of discretion in
sentencing, we affirm.
Facts and Procedural History
On June 20, 2012, Evansville law-enforcement officers were conducting rolling
surveillance on a black, two-door Acura. Around 1:30 a.m., after temporarily losing sight
of the Acura, officers spotted it parked outside Jaya’s Authentic Foods, a local restaurant
that was closed for construction. While officers watched, two men dressed in dark
clothing ran out of Jaya’s, got into the Acura, and drove away. Tr. p. 50. Officers
approached Jaya’s and checked for signs of entry. They observed damage to the
restaurant doors.
Meanwhile, other officers followed the Acura, which parked in an apartment-
complex parking lot near Lawndale Shopping Center. Id. at 59. Officers saw two men
get out of the Acura and approach the shopping center. The men were out of sight for a
short time, but then reappeared atop the roof of the shopping center, above Rogers
Jewelers. Id. at 61. After moving around the roof for five or ten minutes, an audible
alarm went off, and the men quickly returned to the Acura and drove away. Id. at 62.
Officers checked the roof for signs of entry into Rogers Jewelers. A ventilation shaft had
2
been removed and the door to an air-conditioning room above the jewelry store had been
pried open. Through the ventilation shaft, officers saw footprints and displaced ceiling
tiles. Id. at 30, 157-58, 196-97.
The Acura then traveled to Evansville’s west side, and officers continued to follow
it. Around 3:00 a.m., the Acura parked in another apartment-complex parking lot. Id. at
68. Two men got out of the Acura and walked toward Taste of China, a nearby
restaurant. A short time later, the two men were spotted on the restaurant roof. Lights
and movement were seen at different areas inside the restaurant. Id. at 72, 305.
Officers who had stationed themselves at different positions around Taste of China
converged on the restaurant. Inside, the restaurant was in disarray: the cash register was
open and money had been removed. Id. at 35-36. Electronics, including a laptop and
video-game console, were piled near the door. Id. at 35, 75. The restaurant’s large air-
conditioning unit had been moved, and the night sky was visible through the ceiling. Id.
at 36, 76. Officers found two men dressed in black clothing, Rivera and Myles Robinson,
lying on the roof. A red Nike sports bag filled with tools, including screwdrivers, was
found nearby. Id. at 84, 92, 588. Both men were arrested.
The officers took Rivera to the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Department for
questioning. After waiving his Miranda rights, Rivera told detectives that he and
Robinson had been dropped off at Taste of China by an unknown man in a white car. Id.
at 384, 386. He admitted that he and Robinson had entered Taste of China through a hole
where the air-conditioning unit had been. Id. at 426. Rivera said when he saw police
3
approaching Taste of China, he got nervous and climbed back to the roof without taking
anything. Id. Rivera denied being present at Jaya’s or Lawndale Shopping Center. Id.
The State charged Rivera with twenty-four counts, which were later consolidated
to seven:
1. Class C felony burglary (Taste of China)
2. Class D felony theft (Taste of China)
3. Class B misdemeanor criminal mischief (Taste of China)
4. Class C felony attempted burglary (Rogers Jewelers)
5. Class C felony attempted burglary (Jaya’s restaurant)
6. Class B misdemeanor criminal mischief (Jaya’s restaurant)
7. Class B misdemeanor criminal mischief (Rogers Jewelers)
See Appellant’s App. p. 11 (CCS); Tr. p. 702-09.
At Rivera’s trial, the State presented physical and circumstantial evidence tying
him to Lawndale Shopping Center and Taste of China.1 The State told the jury that the
Acura driven to Jaya’s, Lawndale Shopping Center, and Taste of China belonged to
Rivera’s mother. A forensic scientist testified that footprints found on the roofs of
Lawndale Shopping Center and Taste of China matched the tread of the Timberland
boots Rivera was wearing when he was arrested. See State’s Ex. 210-213. The State
introduced evidence of damage and repair costs for Lawndale Shopping Center ($100)
and Taste of China ($1000). Tr. p. 32, 36. Officers present at Taste of China recounted
watching two men enter the restaurant and move around, and described the open cash
register and electronics stacked by the door. The officers also described locating Rivera
and Robinson on the roof, and the sports bag filled with tools nearby. In addition,
detectives who interviewed Rivera after his arrest recounted his admission that he entered
Taste of China. The State also disputed the suggestion that a third man named Sean
1
Robinson was tried separately. See Appellant’s App. p. 20 (CCS, motion to sever).
4
Lucci was involved, explaining that authorities could locate no one by that name or a
similar name.2 See id. at 355-60.
The State also introduced transcripts of several calls Rivera made to family
members during his trial.3 During one call, Rivera told his mother that he lied to
detectives about being dropped off at Taste of China by an unknown man. Id. at 519 (“I
lied to [the detective] you know[,] I said you know I was dropped off.”). In another call,
Rivera told his fiancée—Robinson’s sister—to instruct Robinson on what to say when he
testified. Id. at 540-47.
Rivera testified and gave his account of the night’s events. He said that he drove
the Acura to Jaya’s and Lawndale Shopping Center, but waited in the car while Robinson
and Lucci went inside. Id. at 610-12. He said that he drove to Taste of China but waited
in the car while Robinson and a man he did not know went inside. Id. at 611-13. After
hearing a loud noise, Rivera got “upset and scared” and went up on the roof to see what
was happening. Id. at 614. Rivera said that he called out to Robinson until Robinson
“popped his head out of the hole [in the roof].” Id. at 616. Rivera claimed that he and
Robinson then argued until police arrived, but he “did not go into [Taste of China] at all.”
Id. at 621. Robinson made similar claims when he testified on Rivera’s behalf. Robinson
explained that he broke into Jaya’s, Rogers Jewelers, and Taste of China to support his
drug habit, and that Rivera was not aware of or involved in this plan. Id. at 575-76.
2
It is not clear from the record who first provided the name Sean Lucci. Robinson testified that
the alleged third man involved in the night’s events was Sean, but he said that he did not know his last
name. Tr. p. 572.
3
Rivera’s objection to this evidence was overruled. Tr. p. 465.
5
The jury found Rivera guilty of four of the seven charges: Class C felony burglary
(Count 1, Taste of China), Class D felony theft (Count 2, Taste of China), and two counts
of Class B misdemeanor criminal mischief (Count 3, Taste of China and Count 7, Rogers
Jewelers). Appellant’s App. p. 30-32, 36. In sentencing Rivera, the trial court found his
criminal history, which included five previous felony convictions—including convictions
for burglary and theft—to be an aggravating factor. See Tr. p. 835, 837. The court found
no mitigating factors. Id. at 837.
The court sentenced Rivera to seven years on Count 1, two years on Count 2, 180
days on count 3, and 180 days on Count 7, with 316 credit days. The court ordered
concurrent sentences on Counts 1, 2, and 3, but ordered Count 7 to be served
consecutively to the others. Id.
Rivera now appeals.
Discussion and Decision
On appeal, Rivera argues that the evidence is insufficient to sustain his convictions
for burglary, theft, and two counts of criminal mischief. He also argues that the trial
court erred when it ordered one of his sentences to be served consecutively to the other
three.
I. Sufficiency of the Evidence
Rivera argues that the evidence is insufficient to sustain his convictions. When
reviewing an insufficient-evidence claim, we “consider[] only the evidence most
favorable to the verdict and any reasonable inferences that may be drawn from that
evidence. If a reasonable finder of fact could determine from the evidence that the
6
defendant was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, then we will uphold the verdict.” Baker
v. State, 968 N.E.2d 227, 299 (Ind. 2012) (citation omitted). We do not reweigh the
evidence or judge witness credibility—those evaluations are reserved for the trier of fact.
Id. (citations omitted). “In essence, we assess only whether the verdict could be reached
based on reasonable inferences that may be drawn from the evidence presented.” Id.(citation omitted).
A. Burglary and Theft
In order to convict Rivera of Count 1, Class C felony burglary, the State was
required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he broke and entered Taste of China
with the intent to commit theft inside. See Ind. Code § 35-43-2-1; Tr. p. 701.
“Circumstantial evidence alone is sufficient to sustain a burglary conviction.” Baker, 968
N.E.2d at 230. To prove that Rivera committed Class D felony theft, the State was
required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Rivera knowingly or intentionally
exerted unauthorized control over Taste of China’s property with the intent to deprive the
restaurant of any part of its value or use. See Ind. Code § 35-43-4-2; Tr. p. 702. Like
burglary, a theft conviction may be based on circumstantial evidence alone. Mork v.
State, 912 N.E.2d 408, 411 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009).
The State presented sufficient evidence from which the jury could reasonably
conclude that Rivera committed burglary and theft. Footprints found on Taste of China’s
roof matched the Timberland boots Rivera was wearing when he was arrested, and in his
first interview with detectives, Rivera admitted entering the restaurant after 3:00 a.m. At
trial, the State explained that the men gained access to Taste of China by moving the air-
7
conditioning unit, damaging it in the process. An officer observing the restaurant
testified that he saw lights and movement at different areas inside. When Rivera and
Robinson, both wearing black clothing, were caught on the restaurant roof, authorities
saw that the restaurant had been ransacked: the cash register was open and money was
missing, and electronics, including a laptop and video-game console, were piled near the
door. Officers found a sports bag filled with screwdrivers and other tools nearby. In
concluding that Rivera committed burglary and theft, the jurors, as triers of fact, were
entitled to reject Rivera’s alternate description of the night’s events, particularly in light
of the incriminating statements he made in phone calls to family members during his
trial.
B. Criminal Mischief
There is also sufficient evidence to support Rivera’s convictions for two counts of
criminal mischief—Count 3 (Taste of China) and Count 7 (Rogers Jewelers). In order to
convict Rivera of Class B criminal mischief as charged, the State was required to prove
beyond a reasonable doubt that he recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally damaged or
defaced Taste of China’s and Rogers Jewelers’ property without the consent of either
entity. See Ind. Code § 35-43-1-2(a)(1); Tr. p. 703, 709.
The evidence set forth previously is sufficient to sustain Rivera’s conviction for
criminal mischief as to Taste of China. In addition to Rivera’s presence at the scene,
there was significant circumstantial evidence that he and Robinson moved Taste of
China’s air-conditioning unit to gain access to the restaurant. At trial, one law-
enforcement officer testified that the unit was so heavy that one man alone could not
8
move it. See Tr. p. 146. The owner of Taste of China testified that the unit was damaged
when it was moved and cost $1000 to repair. From this, a jury could reasonably conclude
that Rivera committed criminal mischief.
There is also sufficient evidence to sustain Rivera’s conviction for criminal
mischief as to Rogers Jewelers. The State produced physical evidence—footprints
matching the Timberland boots Rivera was wearing when he was arrested—placing
Rivera on the roof of the shopping center just above the jewelry store. When officers
checked the roof for signs of entry into Rogers Jewelers, they saw that a ventilation shaft
had been removed and the door to an air-conditioning room above the store had been
pried open. Through the ventilation shaft, the officers saw footprints and displaced
ceiling tiles. At Rivera’s trial, a witness testified that repair to this area of the shopping
center cost $100. Although Rivera maintains that he waited in the car and was not
involved in breaking into the jewelry store, the jury was entitled to determine that
Rivera’s claim was not credible and could have reasonably concluded that he committed
a second count of criminal mischief.
II. Consecutive Sentencing
Rivera also contends that the trial court erred when it ordered a consecutive
sentence on Count 7, Class B misdemeanor criminal mischief. We will reverse
sentencing decisions, including the imposition of consecutive sentences, only upon a
showing of abuse of discretion. Hull v. State, 839 N.E.2d 1250, 1254 (Ind. Ct. App.
2005).
9
A trial court may impose consecutive sentences “if warranted by the aggravating
circumstances” under Indiana Code section 35-50-1-2. Monroe v. State, 886 N.E.2d 578,
579 (Ind. 2009). It is well settled that a single aggravating circumstance may justify
consecutive sentencing. Mathews v. State, 849 N.E.2d 578, 589 (Ind. 2006); Gilliam v.
State, 901 N.E.2d 72, 74 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009).
Here, the trial court ordered Rivera’s 180-day sentence on Count 7 (criminal
mischief for Rogers Jewelers) to be served consecutively to his aggregate seven-year
sentence on Counts 1, 2, and 3 (burglary, theft, and criminal mischief for Taste of China).
In sentencing Rivera, the trial court noted a single, undisputed aggravating
circumstance—Rivera’s five previous felony convictions, including convictions for
burglary and theft—and found that there were no mitigating circumstances.
Rivera argues that, contrary to the trial court’s finding, there were a number of
mitigating circumstances. See Appellant’s Br. p. 23-24. Defense counsel’s sole
argument regarding mitigation was that the crimes “appeared to be calculated to avoid
violence of any kind.” Tr. p. 835. On appeal, Rivera appears to refer to this argument in
claiming that the trial court erred in rejecting as a mitigating circumstance that the crimes
“neither caused nor threatened serious harm to persons or property, or that [he] did not
think it would do so.” Appellant’s Br. p. 23. But as our Supreme Court has said, whether
or not to accept proffered mitigators is “the trial court’s call.” Anglemyer v. State, 868
N.E.2d 482, 493 (Ind. 2007), clarified on reh’g, 875 N.E.2d 218 (Ind. 2007). We cannot
say that the trial court erred by declining to give mitigating weight to the contention that
10
this offense neither caused nor threatened serious harm, particularly in light of the
evidence of financial damage.
The remaining alleged mitigating circumstances, including the hardship Rivera’s
incarceration would impose on his family, were not argued before the trial court. See Tr.
p. 835. This fact is fatal to Rivera’s claim. A trial court does not abuse its discretion in
failing to consider a mitigating circumstance not raised at sentencing. See Anglemyer,
875 N.E.2d at 200. The trial court did not err in sentencing Rivera.4
Affirmed.
RILEY, J., and MAY, J., concur.
4
Rivera also suggests that the trial court erred because it did not discuss potential mitigating
circumstances—it only stated that there were none. See Appellant’s Br. p. 24-25. But a trial court is
not required to expressly reject every potential mitigating circumstance. See Stidham v. State, 637 N.E.2d
140, 144 (Ind. 1994) (Trial court was “not required to make an affirmative finding expressly negating
each potential mitigating factor.”).
11