State v. Gavin

[Cite as State v. Gavin, 2015-Ohio-2996.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
SCIOTO COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO, : Case No. 13CA3592
Plaintiff-Appellee, :
v. : DECISION AND
JUDGMENT ENTRY
RONALD E. GAVIN, :
Defendant-Appellant. : RELEASED: 07/13/2015
APPEARANCES:
John A. Gambill, Gambill Law, Ltd., Portsmouth, Ohio, for appellant.
Mark E. Kuhn, Scioto County Prosecuting Attorney, Portsmouth, Ohio, for appellee.
Harsha, J.
{¶1} After a jury convicted Ronald E. Gavin of trafficking in heroin, possession
of heroin, conspiracy to traffic in heroin, and tampering with evidence the court
sentenced him to prison.
{¶2} Gavin asserts that the court erred in admitting “other acts” evidence that
indicated Gavin was involved in prior drug related activity. When the state filed a notice
of intent to use other acts evidence in its case, Gavin objected. The trial court issued a
pretrial ruling denying the objection and indicating its intent to allow the state to
introduce evidence of Gavin’s alleged prior drug activity. When the state introduced this
at trial, Gavin did not renew his pretrial objections. By not renewing his objections he
forfeited all but plain error on appeal. However, Gavin does not claim that plain error
occurred and even if he had, he could not establish its existence. If the other acts
evidence was excluded, the outcome of his trial would not clearly have been different
Scioto App. No. 13CA3592 2
because a witness testified he saw Gavin selling heroin and Gavin admitted everything
found in the Camaro (including the heroin) was his.
{¶3} Next Gavin contends that his convictions are not supported by sufficient
evidence and are against the manifest weight of the evidence because there was no
evidence to link him to the heroin in the car. The state introduced evidence that when he
was arrested Gavin told police everything in the car they searched was his. That search
uncovered a baggie containing 97.4 grams of heroin. In addition a confidential
informant testified that he saw Gavin sell heroin the same day as his arrest. There was
also evidence that a shipment of heroin that Gavin had been expecting had come in just
before he was arrested. Based on this evidence the jury did not clearly lose its way or
create a manifest miscarriage of justice in finding the state had proved the essential
elements of these crimes beyond a reasonable doubt.
{¶4} Gavin also argues that his conviction for tampering with evidence is not
supported by sufficient evidence and is against the manifest weight of the evidence.
Based on the Supreme Court’s recent decision in State v. Straley, 139 Ohio St.3d 339,
2014-Ohio-2139, 11 N.E.2d 1175, we agree. The record does not contain sufficient
evidence to support Gavin’s conviction because at the time he would have concealed
the heroin in the car, there was no proceeding or investigation that Gavin knew was in
progress or was likely to occur.
{¶5} Finally, Gavin contends that he received ineffective assistance of counsel
because his trial attorney did not move to suppress evidence obtained as a result of the
warrantless search of the car. Gavin’s contention is meritless because he cannot
demonstrate that his trial counsel’s performance was deficient. It is clear that such a
Scioto App. No. 13CA3592 3
motion lacks merit because the officers had a reasonable suspicion the car contained
evidence of a crime.
{¶6} Therefore, we reverse Gavin’s conviction for tampering with evidence and
remand the cause to the trial court to vacate that conviction and sentence. We affirm
his remaining convictions.
I. FACTS
{¶7} In September 2013, the Scioto County Grand Jury returned a joint
indictment charging Gavin and Ali “Nikki” Thompson with one count of trafficking in
heroin, one count of possession of heroin, one count of conspiracy to traffic in heroin,
one count of tampering with evidence, and three counts of possession of criminal tools.
According to the indictment the drug offenses occurred on September 10, 2013. Gavin
retained counsel and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges in the indictment.
{¶8} Prior to trial the state filed a notice of intent under Evid.R. 404(B) to use
“other acts” evidence “establishing the Defendant’s pattern of conduct that includes
possession of Heroin and engaging in drug trafficking during the Spring and Summer of
2013.” Gavin filed a memorandum in opposition, which argued that the state’s intended
use of testimony about his “past drug activities” and his Facebook postings was
improper and that this evidence should be excluded because it was too “remote in time
and unrelated to the pending case.” The court conducted a pretrial hearing on Gavin’s
objection and indicated that the state could use this evidence as long as it occurred no
more than five months before his September 10, 2013 arrest.
{¶9} According to several witnesses at trial, including Bria Gilliland, Taniya
Froe, Ebony Underwood, Manual Lofton, Thompson, Marcell Woods, and Ashley
Scioto App. No. 13CA3592 4
Bragdon, the appellant sold heroin to several people on numerous occasions during the
summer of 2013. Gavin got the heroin from Chicago from sources including his cousin
Homer, whose real name is Rehomore Spivey. Homer often travelled to Portsmouth and
stayed with Gavin and his girlfriend, Thompson, at Thompson’s apartment. Gilliland
testified that she gave Gavin a ride to Columbus to pick up Homer in June or July of
2013, and they had another person drive back to Portsmouth with the drugs that Homer
brought from Chicago for Gavin to sell. Charles Broughton testified that over the
summer, Gavin’s brother had him pick up heroin twice from Gavin near the apartment
Gavin shared with Thompson.
{¶10} Testimony indicated Gavin sold drugs primarily near the apartment he
shared with Thompson or around the basketball court at Bannon Park near Farley
Square; he drove Thompson’s blue Camaro on a daily basis, including September 10,
2013. Gavin sold what one witness called the “best heroin in Scioto County” because
he did not cut it small like the other dealers, which resulted in a strong powder that
sometimes caused overdoses. On Gavin’s instructions, Thompson wired money to
people in Chicago to pay people Gavin owed for selling drugs.
{¶11} Thompson yelled at Gavin once when she found drugs on her dresser
because she was on probation and her teenage son, Marcus, lived with them. Gavin
generally tried to hide drugs in public places but because he had lost drugs he had
hidden, he owed Homer money. The amount Gavin owed Homer or other Chicago drug
suppliers was estimated by different witnesses at between $7,000 and $10,000; the
suppliers he owed money had threatened him.
Scioto App. No. 13CA3592 5
{¶12} Sergeant Steve Timberlake of the Portsmouth Police Department testified
he started an investigation after he received information from several people, including
Underwood and Froe. The sources indicated that Gavin was receiving heroin from
Chicago and that he was selling it near the apartment where he lived with Thompson,
(which was close to Spartan Stadium) and at Bannon Park (near Farley Square). Lofton
acted as a confidential informant for the police and informed Sgt. Timberlake in early
September 2013 that Gavin had told him that he was expecting a shipment of heroin
from Homer and that when he got it, he needed to sell it as fast as he could.
Underwood confirmed this evidence by testifying that Gavin had told her in late August
that he was out of heroin, but he was expecting more from Chicago.
{¶13} On September 8, 2013, Lofton heard that Gavin had received the
shipment of heroin and had resumed selling heroin in the park. Lofton attempted to
contact Sgt. Timberlake, who was on vacation. On September 10, Lofton successfully
contacted Sgt. Timberlake and told him that Gavin had received his shipment and was
selling heroin again in the park. On that date, September 10, 2013, Lofton saw Gavin in
the Camaro with Thompson, and later that day, he saw him selling drugs in the park.
Thompson’s daughter, Kayla Easley, testified that on September 10, 2013, Gavin rolled
up the windows on the parked Camaro before she gave him a ride to the park to play
basketball with a friend.
{¶14} Sgt. Timberlake contacted Thompson’s probation officer and coordinated
a home visit and search of Thompson’s apartment for that same evening. After a court
bailiff handcuffed Gavin and police secured the other people in the apartment, Sgt.
Timberlake searched outside the apartment because he had received information that
Scioto App. No. 13CA3592 6
Gavin normally hid his drugs and drug paraphernalia there. Finding nothing, Sgt.
Timberlake then searched the Camaro where he found a baggie, which appeared to
contain heroin, behind a stereo faceplate under the passenger seat. His field test of the
substance indicated that it was heroin, so he sent it to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal
Identification and Investigation (BCI) for further testing. A BCI forensic scientist
determined that the sample contained 97.4 grams of heroin.
{¶15} Bryant testified that when he first handcuffed Gavin and began patting him
down, Gavin said that he used to sell drugs, but he had quit. But after Sgt. Timberlake
found the drugs in the Camaro, Gavin told Bryant that everything in the car was his and
that Thompson had nothing to do with it. He later recanted that admission by claiming
that the police had planted the drugs in the car. Marcell Woods confirmed that Gavin
had told Bryant that if the police found anything in the search, it was his and that
Thompson had nothing to do with it.
{¶16} After being arrested Gavin told Lofton that he thought Woods or Helen
Johnson had set him up and that they were going to get “F’d up.” Gavin also wrote
letters to Thompson asking her not to link him to the Camaro and to tell the police that
he did not drop her off at work by driving the car on September 10. Gavin also asked
Thompson to tell the police that the money she wired for him was for his son, rather
than to pay off people for the drugs. Sgt. Timberlake looked at Gavin’s Facebook page
for additional evidence after his arrest and found several photographs of Gavin posing
with large sums of cash, which appeared consistent with his drug dealing because he
was not employed during this period. According to Lofton and Woods, Gavin was never
secretive about his drug dealing; instead, he was very reckless.
Scioto App. No. 13CA3592 7
{¶17} Notwithstanding the court’s pretrial ruling denying Gavin’s request to
exclude the state’s introduction of “other acts” testimony, Gavin’s trial counsel did not
renew his objections at trial when this testimony and exhibits were admitted into
evidence through numerous witnesses. The jury returned verdicts finding Gavin guilty
of trafficking in heroin, possession of heroin, conspiracy to traffic in heroin, and
tampering with evidence, but found him not guilty of the three counts of possession of
criminal tools. The trial court merged Gavin’s first three convictions into his conviction
for trafficking in heroin and sentenced him to a mandatory prison term of 11 years. The
court further sentenced Gavin to a prison term of 36 months on his conviction for
tampering with evidence, and ordered that it run consecutively to his other sentence, for
an aggregate prison term of 14 years, with 11 years being mandatory. This appeal
followed.
II. ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
{¶18} Gavin assigns the following errors for our review:
1. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN ADMITTING THE “OTHER ACTS”
TESTIMONY AND SOCIAL MEDIA PHOTOGRAPHS RELATED TO
APPELLANT’S ALLEGED PRIOR DRUG-RELATED ACTIVITY.
2. THE EVIDENCE WAS INSUFFICIENT AS A MATTER OF LAW TO
CONVICT APPELLANT OF TRAFFICKING IN DRUGS/HEROIN, AND
CONSPIRCY TO TRAFFIC IN HEROIN ON OR ABOUT SEPTEMBER
10, 2014; IN THE ALTERNATIVE, THE CONVICTIONS WERE
AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.
3. THE EVIDENCE WAS INSUFFICIENT AS A MATTER OF LAW TO
CONVICT APPELLANT OF TAMPERING WITH EVIDENCE
BECAUSE THERE WAS NO PROOF THAT THE DEFENDANT
INTENDED TO IMPAIR THE VALUE OR AVAILABILITY OF
EVIDENCE RELATED TO AN EXISTING OR LIKELY OFFICIAL
INVESTIGATION OR PROCEEDING; IN THE ALTERNATIVE, THE
CONVICTION WAS AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE
EVIDENCE.
Scioto App. No. 13CA3592 8
4. APPELLANT RECEIVED INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
BECAUSE HIS COUNSEL DID NOT MOVE TO SUPPRESS
EVIDENCE OBTAINED AS A RESULT OF THE WARRANTLESS
SEARCH OF THE VEHICLE OUTSIDE ALI N. THOMPSON’S
RESIDENCE.
III. LAW AND ANALYSIS
A. Other Acts Evidence
{¶19} In his first assignment of error Gavin asserts that the trial court erred in
admitting “other acts” testimony and social media photographs related to his purported
prior drug activity. In general, “[e]vidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not
admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show action in conformity
therewith.” Evid.R. 404(B). The state contends the evidence was admissible to show
Gavin had a scheme or plan to distribute drugs in Scioto County and to show the modus
operandi.
{¶20} “The trial court has broad discretion in the admission and exclusion of
evidence, including evidence of other acts under Evid.R. 404(B).” State v. Kirkland, 140
Ohio St.3d 73, 2014-Ohio-1966, 15 N.E.3d 818, ¶ 67. “Appeals of such decisions are
considered by an appellate court under an abuse-of-discretion standard of review.”
State v. Morris, 132 Ohio St.3d 337, 2012-Ohio-2407, 972 N.E.2d 528, syllabus. The
Supreme Court of Ohio has “defined ‘abuse of discretion’ as an ‘unreasonable, arbitrary,
or unconscionable use of discretion, or as a view or action that no conscientious judge
could honestly have taken.’ ” Kirkland at ¶ 67, quoting State v. Brady, 119 Ohio St.3d
375, 2008-hio-4493, 894 N.E.2d 671, ¶ 23.
{¶21} Before we can review the trial court’s decision, however, we must
determine whether Gavin preserved this issue for review. In essence, Gavin sought a
Scioto App. No. 13CA3592 9
pretrial in limine ruling on the issue. See State v. Felts, 4th Dist. Ross No. 13CA3407,
2014-Ohio-2378, ¶ 15, quoting State v. Grubb, 28 Ohio St.3d 199, 201, 593 N.E.2d 142(1986) (“[a] motion in limine ‘is a precautionary request, directed to the inherent
discretion of the trial judge, to limit the examination of witnesses by opposing counsel in
a specified area until its admissibility is determined by the court outside the presence of
the jury’ ”). See State v. Diar, 120 Ohio St.3d 460, 2008-Ohio-6266, 900 N.E.2d 565, ¶
65-69.
{¶22} Nevertheless, “Ohio law is clear * * * that a ruling on a motion in limine
may not be appealed and that objections to the introduction of testimony or statements
of counsel must be made during the trial to preserve evidentiary rulings for appellate
review.” Gable v. Gates Mills, 103 Ohio St.3d 449, 2004-Ohio-5719, 816 N.E.2d 1049,
¶ 34; State v. Brown, 38 Ohio St.3d 305, 528 N.E.2d 523 (1988), paragraph three of the
syllabus (“A denial of a motion in limine does not preserve error for review. A proper
objection must be raised at trial to preserve error”); State v. Hambrick, 4th Dist. Ross
No. 11CA3294, 2012-Ohio-5139, ¶ 12 (“In essence, these motions were motions in
limine and such rulings cannot form the basis for an assignment of error in a later
appeal”).
{¶23} By not renewing his objections to this “other acts” evidence at trial, Gavin
forfeited all but plain error. See Diar at ¶ 70 (“[d]uring the trial, except where mentioned,
the defense did not renew its objections to the introduction of ‘other acts’ testimony and
thus waived all but plain error”); United States v. Olano, 507 U.S. 725, 733, 113 S.Ct.
1770, 123 L.Ed.2d 508 (1993), quoting Johnson v. Zerbst, 304 U.S. 458, 464, 58 S.Ct.
1019, 82 L.Ed. 1461 (1938) (“Whereas forfeiture is the failure to make the timely
Scioto App. No. 13CA3592 10
assertion of a right, waiver is the ‘intentional relinquishment or abandonment of a known
right.’ * * *. Mere forfeiture, as opposed to waiver, does not extinguish an ‘error’ ”).
{¶24} To prevail on a claim of plain error Gavin must show that an error
occurred, that the error was plain, and that but for the error, the outcome of the trial
clearly would have been otherwise. State v. Mammone, 139 Ohio St.3d 467, 2014-
Ohio-1942, 13 N.E.3d 1051, ¶ 69; State v. Leonhart, 4th Dist. Washington No. 13CA38,
2014-Ohio-5601, ¶ 53.
{¶25} Gavin has not established plain error; in fact, he does not even claim plain
error. See State v. Quarterman, 140 Ohio St.3d 464, 2014-Ohio-4034, 19 N.E.3d 900,
¶ 17-20 (appellate court need not consider plain error where appellant fails to timely
raise plain-error claim); Wright v. Ohio Dept. of Jobs & Family Servs., 9th Dist. Lorain
No. 12CA010264, 2013-Ohio-2260, ¶ 22 (when a claim is forfeited on appeal and the
appellant does not raise plain error, the appellate court will not create an argument on
his behalf).
{¶26} Moreover, even without the other acts evidence the outcome of the trial
would not have clearly been different. Lofton testified that he saw Gavin driving the
Camaro and selling heroin on the date at issue, September 10, 2013. Bryant and
Woods testified that Gavin admitted after he was arrested that anything found in the
police search of the car was his and not his girlfriend’s. Lofton also testified that Gavin
had just received a heroin shipment in from Chicago and that he had to “move it” fast.
Based on this evidence alone, any reasonable jury would have convicted Gavin. But
see also our discussion below of the sufficiency and manifest weight of the evidence.
Scioto App. No. 13CA3592 11
{¶27} We overrule his first assignment of error.1
B. Drug Convictions:
Sufficiency and Manifest Weight of the Evidence
{¶28} In his second assignment of error Gavin contends that his convictions for
trafficking in heroin, possession of heroin, and conspiracy to traffic in heroin are not
supported by sufficient evidence and are against the manifest weight of the evidence.
“When a court reviews a record for sufficiency, ‘[t]he relevant inquiry is whether, after
viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of
fact could have found the essential elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable
doubt.’ “ State v. Maxwell, 139 Ohio St.3d 12, 2014–Ohio–1019, 9 N.E.3d 930, ¶ 146,
quoting State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991), paragraph two of the
syllabus; Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979). The
court must defer to the trier of fact on questions of credibility and the weight assigned to
the evidence. Kirkland, 140 Ohio St.3d 73, 2014–Ohio–1966, 15 N.E.3d 818, at ¶ 132.
{¶29} In determining whether a criminal conviction is against the manifest weight
of the evidence, an appellate court must review the entire record, weigh the evidence
and all reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of witnesses, and determine
whether, in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the trier of fact clearly lost its way and
created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be reversed.
State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997); State v. Hunter,
131 Ohio St.3d 67, 2011–Ohio–6254, 960 N.E.2d 955, ¶ 119. “Although a court of
1
We caution the state that it appears to push the boundaries of acceptable uses of Evid.R. 404(B). Had
the error been properly preserved, the outcome may well have been adverse to the state. Although the
state claimed at oral argument that the “other acts” evidence was introduced to prove Gavin’s conspiracy
charge, its notice of intent to use this evidence at trial did not disclose this purpose. Therefore, we reject
the state’s attempt to raise a new contention on appeal.
Scioto App. No. 13CA3592 12
appeals may determine that a judgment of a trial court is sustained by sufficient
evidence, that court may nevertheless conclude that the judgment is against the weight
of the evidence.” Thompkins at 387. But the weight and credibility of evidence are to
be determined by the trier of fact. Kirkland at ¶ 132. “A jury, sitting as the trier of fact, is
free to believe all, part or none of the testimony of any witness who appears before it.”
State v. West, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 12CA3507, 2014–Ohio–1941, ¶ 23. We defer to the
trier of fact on these evidentiary weight and credibility issues because it is in the best
position to gauge the witnesses' demeanor, gestures, and voice inflections, and to use
these observations to weigh their credibility. Id.{¶30} The jury convicted Gavin of trafficking in heroin in violation of R.C.
2925.03(A)(2), possession of heroin in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A), and conspiracy to
traffic in heroin in violation of R.C. 2923.01 and 2925.03(A), all occurring on September
10, 2013.
{¶31} R.C. 2925.03(A)(2) provides that “[n]o person shall knowingly * * *
“[p]repare for shipment, ship, transport, deliver, prepare for distribution, or distribute a
controlled substance or a controlled substance analog, when the offender knows or has
reasonable cause to believe that the controlled substance or a controlled substance
analog is intended for sale or resale by the offender or another person.”
{¶32} R.C. 2925.11(A) provides that “[n]o person shall knowingly obtain,
possess or use a controlled substance or a controlled substance analog.”
{¶33} R.C. 2923.01(A) provides that “[n]o persons, with purpose to commit or to
promote or facilitate the commission of *** a felony drug trafficking *** offense *** shall
Scioto App. No. 13CA3592 13
*** [w]ith another person or persons, plan or aid in the commission of any of the
specified offenses.”
{¶34} Gavin claims that his drug convictions are not supported by sufficient
evidence and are against the manifest weight of the evidence because the record is
“devoid of any direct evidence that Appellant was aware of, let alone exercised
dominion or control over, the drugs located in the blue Camaro.”
{¶35} “A person acts knowingly, regardless of his purpose, when he is aware
that his conduct will probably cause a certain result or will probably be of a certain
nature. A person has knowledge of circumstances when he is aware that such
circumstances probably exist.” R.C. 2901.22(B). “[P]ossession” is defined as “having
control over a thing or substance, but may not be inferred solely from mere access to
the thing or substance through ownership or occupation of the premises upon which the
thing or substance is found.” R.C. 2925.01(K). “Possession may be actual or
constructive.” State v. Moon, 4th Dist. Adams No. 08CA875, 2009–Ohio–4830, ¶ 19,
citing State v. Butler, 42 Ohio St.3d 174, 175, 538 N.E.2d 98 (1989) (“[t]o constitute
possession, it is sufficient that the defendant has constructive possession”).
{¶36} “ ‘Actual possession exists when the circumstances indicate that an
individual has or had an item within his immediate physical possession.’ ” State v.
Kingsland, 177 Ohio App.3d 655, 2008–Ohio–4148, 895 N.E.2d 633, ¶ 13 (4th Dist.),
quoting State v. Fry, 4th Dist. Jackson No. 03CA26, 2004–Ohio–5747, ¶ 39.
“Constructive possession exists when an individual knowingly exercises dominion and
control over an object, even though that object may not be within his immediate physical
possession.” State v. Hankerson, 70 Ohio St.2d 87, 434 N.E.2d 1362 (1982), syllabus;
Scioto App. No. 13CA3592 14
State v. Brown, 4th Dist. Athens No. 09CA3, 2009–Ohio–5390, ¶ 19. For constructive
possession to exist, the state must show that the defendant was conscious of the
object's presence. Hankerson at 91; Kingsland at ¶ 13. Both dominion and control, and
whether a person was conscious of the object's presence may be established through
circumstantial evidence. Brown at ¶ 19. “Moreover, two or more persons may have joint
constructive possession of the same object.” Id.{¶37} The state introduced evidence that Gavin told police when he was
arrested that everything in the car they searched was his and that search uncovered a
baggie containing 97.4 grams of heroin. In addition Lofton testified that he saw Gavin
sell heroin the same day as his arrest, and there was evidence that Gavin had been
expecting a shipment of heroin from Chicago that had arrived a couple days before his
arrest. Moreover, many witnesses testified that Gavin drove the car on a daily basis,
including on the day of his arrest. Finally, Gavin’s threats, directed at people he thought
“ratted” him out, and his incriminating letters to his wife after his arrest suggesting that
she lie about his use of the car, are indicative of his exercise of dominion and control
over the heroin. Based on this extensive, credible evidence, the jury properly found the
essential elements of these crimes proven beyond a reasonable doubt and did not
clearly lose its way or create a manifest miscarriage of justice so as to warrant a
reversal. We overrule Gavin’s second assignment of error.
C. Tampering with Evidence:
Sufficiency and Manifest Weight of the Evidence
{¶38} In his third assignment of error Gavin contends that his conviction for
tampering with evidence is not supported by sufficient evidence and is against the
Scioto App. No. 13CA3592 15
manifest weight of the evidence. R.C. 2921.12(A)(1) provides that “[n]o person,
knowing that an official proceeding or investigation is in progress, or is about to be or
likely to be instituted, shall * * * [a]lter, destroy, conceal, or remove any record,
document, or thing, with purpose to impair its value or availability as evidence in such
proceeding or investigation.” As the Supreme Court of Ohio recently held, “[t]here are
three elements of this offense: (1) knowledge of an official proceeding or investigation
in progress or likely to be instituted, (2) the alteration, destruction, concealment, or
removal of the potential evidence, (3) the purpose of impairing the potential evidence’s
availability or value in such proceeding or investigation.” State v. Straley, 139 Ohio
St.3d 339, 2014-Ohio-2139, 11 N.E.2d 1175, ¶ 11.
{¶39} As Gavin notes, Straley specifically addressed the proof required for a
tampering conviction under R.C. 2921.12(A)(1). In that case two plainclothes narcotics
detectives in an unmarked police vehicle stopped the defendant’s car for travelling left
of center, and after noting the smell of alcohol in the vehicle, the defendant’s slurred
speech, and her inability to produce a driver’s license, they obtained her consent to
search her vehicle and bag and found no contraband. The detectives decided not to
charge her, but as they were attempting to arrange transportation home for the
defendant, she stated she needed to urinate, ran around the corner of a building, and
relieved herself. One of the detectives walked back to the area where the defendant
had been and retrieved a clear, urine soaked cellophane baggie that contained crack
cocaine. Straley was convicted of trafficking and possession of cocaine and tampering
with evidence. The Second District Court of Appeals reversed the conviction for
tampering with evidence. The Supreme Court of Ohio affirmed the judgment of the
Scioto App. No. 13CA3592 16
court of appeals by holding that “[a] conviction for the offense of tampering with
evidence pursuant to R.C. 2921.12(A)(1) requires proof that the defendant intended to
impair the value or availability of evidence that related to an existing or likely official
investigation or proceeding.” Id. at syllabus. In essence, the court determined the
evidence must relate to crime being investigated or the conduct that formed the basis
for a citizen/officer contact, e.g. DUI, no drivers license, or public urination, not of a yet
undiscovered crime.
{¶40} The Supreme Court reasoned at ¶ 16-18:
Based on our reading of the tampering statute, we agree with the Second
District that the evidence tampered with must have some relevance to an
ongoing or likely investigation to support a tampering charge. R.C.
2921.12(A)(1) requires the state to prove that an offender, with knowledge
of an ongoing (or likely) investigation or proceeding, tampered with
(altered, destroyed, concealed, or removed) a record, document, or thing
“with purpose to impair its value or availability as evidence in such
proceeding or investigation.” (Emphasis added.) The word “such” is an
adjective commonly used to avoid repetition. It means “having a quality
already or just specified.” Webster's Third New International Dictionary
2283 (1986). In this instance, “such” investigation refers back to the
investigation just specified, i.e., the one that that the defendant knows is
ongoing or is likely to be instituted. Therefore, the evidence must relate to
that investigation; otherwise, the word “such” loses all meaning. The
state's argument that all evidence recovered in an investigation should be
included in the ambit of the tampering statute would require us to change
the language from “such” proceeding or investigation to “any” proceeding
or investigation.
***
In this case, the state also brought additional charges related to the
contraband that Straley discarded. And Straley pled no contest to both
the trafficking and possession charges. Our holding simply requires that
to establish a violation of the tampering statute, the state must show that
the defendant, with knowledge of a proceeding or investigation that is in
progress or likely to be instituted, altered, destroyed, concealed, or
removed any “record, document, or thing” with the purpose to impair its
Scioto App. No. 13CA3592 17
value or availability as evidence in that proceeding or investigation. There
is no need to expand the reach of the statute beyond its plain meaning.2
The state acknowledges that Straley renders its argument in this case “greatly
diminished.” Nevertheless, it opines that Thompson’s testimony that she previously
yelled at Gavin several weeks before his arrest about finding drugs on their dresser
provided sufficient evidence that he knew an investigation was likely. At best, this might
provide knowledge to Gavin that he should not keep drugs in plain sight inside a
probationer’s apartment. However, we are not persuaded that this small sliver of
evidence supports a finding that Gavin knew that an investigation was either existing or
likely when he put the heroin underneath the passenger seat of the car. To the
contrary, his open heroin dealing in public places, which some witnesses referred to as
reckless, indicates that he was not aware of any existing or likely investigation into his
heroin trafficking and possession.
{¶41} Furthermore, the state does not argue in this appeal that this case falls
within the category of tampering cases in which the “unmistakable evidence” of criminal
conduct provides the defendant with the requisite knowledge that an investigation is
likely to occur. Compare State v. Barry, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 13CA3596, 2014-Ohio-
4452, ¶ 10-13.3 Therefore, we sustain Gavin’s third assignment of error.
D. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
{¶42} In his fourth assignment of error Gavin asserts that he received ineffective
assistance of counsel because his trial attorney did not move to suppress the heroin
obtained as a result of the warrantless search of the Camaro outside Thompson’s
2
Interestingly, the Supreme Court apparently found RC 2921,12(A)(1) to be both “plain” and “ambiguous.”
See ¶ 10 and 18.
3
In State v. Barry, 141 Ohio St.3d 1452, 2015-Ohio-239, 23 N.E.3d 1195, the Supreme Court of Ohio
allowed a certified conflict concerning this court’s decision.
Scioto App. No. 13CA3592 18
apartment. To prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a criminal
defendant must establish (1) deficient performance by counsel, i.e., performance falling
below an objective standard of reasonable representation, and (2) prejudice, i.e., a
reasonable probability that, but for counsel's errors, the result of the proceeding would
have been different. State v. Short, 129 Ohio St.3d 360, 2011–Ohio–3641, 952 N.E.2d
1121, ¶ 113; Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d
674; State v. Knauff, 4th Dist. Adams No. 13CA976, 2014–Ohio–308, ¶ 23. The
defendant has the burden of proof because in Ohio, a properly licensed attorney is
presumed competent. State v. Gondor, 112 Ohio St.3d 377, 2006–Ohio–6679, 860
N.E.2d 77, ¶ 62. Failure to satisfy either part of the test is fatal to the claim. Strickland at
697; State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 143, 538 N.E.2d 373 (1989).
{¶43} Gavin’s claim lacks merit for several reasons. First, “ ‘[f]ailing to file a
motion to suppress does not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel per se. To
establish ineffective assistance of counsel for failure to file a motion to suppress, a
defendant must prove that there was a basis to suppress the evidence in question.’ ”
State v. Williams, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 10CA3381, 2012–Ohio–6083, ¶ 15, quoting State
v. Brown, 115 Ohio St.3d 55, 2007–Ohio–4837, 873 N .E.2d 858, ¶ 65. Claims of
ineffective assistance of counsel are rejected when counsel's failure to file a
suppression motion was a tactical decision, there was no reasonable probability of
success, or there was no prejudice. State v. Nields, 93 Ohio St.3d 6, 34, 752 N.E.2d
859 (2001).
{¶44} Second, probation searches conducted pursuant to a probation condition
are valid provided that a reasonable suspicion exists that evidence of criminal activity
Scioto App. No. 13CA3592 19
can be found in the search of the probationer’s property. See, generally, United States
v. Knights, 534 U.S. 112, 120-121, 122 S.Ct. 587, 151 L.Ed.2d 497 (2001); State v.
Sowards, 4th Dist. Gallia No. 06CA13, 2007-Ohio-4863, ¶ 25 (“It is now generally
accepted that a probationer’s home may be searched without a warrant and on less
than probable cause”). There is no argument that probationer Thompson did not
consent as a condition of her community control to a warrantless search of her property,
including her Camaro. See State v. McKinney, 112 Ohio Misc.2d 30, 32, 750 N.E.2d
1237 (Medina C.P. 2000) (probationer agreed to a search without a warrant of his
person, residence or car to ensure that he was complying with his probation).
{¶45} Instead, Gavin claims that the officers who searched the car did not have
the requisite reasonable suspicion that evidence of a crime could be found in the
Camaro. We reject this claim because the police and probation officers had information
that Gavin regularly drove the Camaro, that he had just received a shipment of heroin
from Chicago, and that he had to sell it fast to pay off a debt he had to Homer, his
cousin and drug supplier. This constituted a reasonable suspicion to justify the
warrantless probation search of the car.
{¶46} Because a motion to suppress would have been meritless, Gavin’s trial
counsel was not deficient for failing to file it. “We must presume that trial counsel was
effective if counsel ‘could have reasonably decided that filing a suppression motion
would be a futile act, even if there is some evidence to support a motion.’ ” State v.
Siggers, 4th Dist. Ross No. 13CA3368, 2014-Ohio-506, ¶ 10, quoting State v. Walters,
4th Dist. Scioto No. 12CA949, 2013–Ohio–772, ¶ 20. We overrule Gavin’s fourth
assignment of error.
Scioto App. No. 13CA3592 20
IV. CONCLUSION
{¶47} Having sustained Gavin’s third assignment of error challenging his
conviction for tampering with evidence based on insufficiency of evidence, we reverse
and remand the cause to the trial court to vacate that conviction and discharge Gavin on
that charge. Having overruled Gavin’s first, second, and fourth assignments of error, we
affirm the remainder of his convictions and sentence.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED IN PART.
REVERSED IN PART,
AND CAUSE REMANDED.
JUDGMENT ENTRY
Scioto App. No. 13CA3592 21
It is ordered that the JUDGMENT IS AFFIRMED IN PART AND REVERSED IN
PART and that the CAUSE IS REMANDED. Appellant and Appellee shall split the
costs.
The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the Scioto
County Court of Common Pleas to carry this judgment into execution.
IF A STAY OF EXECUTION OF SENTENCE AND RELEASE UPON BAIL HAS
BEEN PREVIOUSLY GRANTED BY THE TRIAL COURT OR THIS COURT, it is
temporarily continued for a period not to exceed sixty days upon the bail previously
posted. The purpose of a continued stay is to allow Appellant to file with the Supreme
Court of Ohio an application for a stay during the pendency of proceedings in that court.
If a stay is continued by this entry, it will terminate at the earlier of the expiration of the
sixty day period, or the failure of the Appellant to file a notice of appeal with the
Supreme Court of Ohio in the forty-five day appeal period pursuant to Rule II, Sec. 2 of
the Rules of Practice of the Supreme Court of Ohio. Additionally, if the Supreme Court
of Ohio dismisses the appeal prior to expiration of sixty days, the stay will terminate as
of the date of such dismissal.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of
the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Abele, J. & McFarland, A.J.: Concur in Judgment and Opinion.
For the Court
BY: ________________________
William H. Harsha, Judge
NOTICE TO COUNSEL
Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final judgment
entry and the time period for further appeal commences from the date of filing
with the clerk.