State v. Saxton

[Cite as State v. Saxton, 2019-Ohio-5257.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
State of Ohio, :
Plaintiff-Appellee, : No. 18AP-925
(C.P.C. No. 17CR-4696)
v. :
(REGULAR CALENDAR)
Troy G. Saxton, :
Defendant-Appellant. :
D E C I S I O N
Rendered on December 19, 2019
On brief: Ron O'Brien, Prosecuting Attorney, and Seth L.
Gilbert, for appellee. Argued: Daniel J. Stanley.
On brief: Dennis C. Belli, for appellant. Argued: Dennis C.
Belli.
APPEAL from the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas
LUPER SCHUSTER, J.
{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Troy G. Saxton, appeals from a judgment entry of the
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas finding him guilty, pursuant to a no contest plea,
of possession of cocaine as a major drug offender, possession of heroin as a major drug
offender, aggravated possession of drugs, possession of cocaine, possession of heroin, and
having a weapon while under disability. For the following reasons, we affirm.
I. Facts and Procedural History
{¶ 2} By indictment filed August 25, 2017, plaintiff-appellee, State of Ohio, charged
Saxton with one count of possession of cocaine as a major drug offender in violation of R.C.
2925.11, a first-degree felony; one count of possession of heroin as a major drug offender in
violation of R.C. 2925.11, a first-degree felony; one count of aggravated possession of drugs
No. 18AP-925 2
in violation of R.C. 2925.11, a fifth-degree felony; one count of possession of cocaine in
violation of R.C. 2925.11, a first-degree felony, with an accompanying one-year firearm
specification; one count of possession of heroin in violation of R.C. 2925.11, a second-degree
felony, with an accompanying one-year firearm specification; and one count of having a
weapon while under disability in violation of R.C. 2923.13, a third-degree felony. The
charges followed the execution of two search warrants in January 2017. One warrant
related to a search of 2100 Courtright Road, and the other warrant related to a search of
6144 Stornoway Drive. Saxton initially entered a plea of not guilty.
{¶ 3} On November 28, 2017, Saxton filed a motion to suppress, arguing the
officers lacked probable cause to obtain the two search warrants. Specifically, Saxton
argued the warrant for 2100 Courtright Road lacked sufficient particularity; the affidavit in
support of the search warrant did not establish a nexus between 6144 Stornoway Drive and
illegal activity; that the information in the search warrant affidavit had become stale; that
the affidavit was deliberately or recklessly misleading; and that officers did not rely on the
warrant in good faith. The state opposed the motion, and the trial court set the matter for
a hearing.
{¶ 4} At the suppression hearing on May 17, 2018, the state introduced copies of
the search warrants for both Courtright Road and Stornoway Drive and the affidavit used
to obtain both search warrants. The affidavit was signed by Detective Earl Grinstead of the
Whitehall Police Department. In it, Detective Grinstead averred that four separate
informants had contacted the narcotics unit of the Whitehall Police with information
regarding a large-scale narcotics trafficking operation occurring at the auto body shop
located at 2100 Courtright Road. The informants implicated Saxton and Malcolm
Sunderland, the co-owners of the body shop, as well as other individuals associated with
the body shop.
{¶ 5} The affidavit further stated that based on the information from the
informants, Whitehall police set up surveillance of 2100 Courtright Road and observed
Saxton regularly come and go from the west door of the body shop. Police observed Saxton
drive a GMC Yukon registered in his daughter's name, and a records check revealed
Saxton's daughter had criminal cases in 2010 and 2014 involving drugs and a cash seizure
of over $40,000. Detective Grinstead averred in the affidavit that throughout the course of
No. 18AP-925 3
the surveillance, police officers witnessed a "constant flow" of traffic from both pedestrians
and vehicles and interactions that resembled drug transactions in the parking lot of the
body shop. (State's Ex. 1, Aff. in Support of Warrant to Search at 2.)
{¶ 6} Detective Grinstead further averred that police checked Saxton's name and
the 2100 Courtright Road address through their records system, and both had been
"flagged" by the high intensity drug trafficking area task force ("HIDTA"). Specifically, the
affidavit stated that a March 2016 investigation found Saxton "responsible" for the
distribution of "multiple kilograms of cocaine" at the 2100 Courtright Road location. (Aff.
in Support of Warrant to Search at 2.) The 2016 investigation also linked the location of
6144 Stornoway Drive to Saxton, which HIDTA investigators believed to be Saxton's
residence. The HIDTA investigation allowed HIDTA agents to identify several "source
dealers" linked to Saxton, and HIDTA agents recovered $36,000 in cash that Saxton had
given to a source dealer for a kilogram of cocaine. (Aff. in Support of Warrant to Search at
3.) Detective Grinstead then averred in the affidavit that an "indictment for conspiracy to
distribute is pending against Troy Saxton" as a result of the HIDTA investigation. (Aff. in
Support of Warrant to Search at 3.)
{¶ 7} The affidavit also stated that on January 2, 2017, Whitehall police officers set
up a controlled buy of crack cocaine at 2100 Courtright Road using an informant. The
informant successfully purchased crack in the parking lot of the body shop from a person
named Nick. Further, the affidavit stated that within 72 hours prior to the affidavit,
Whitehall police officers instructed an informant to arrange a controlled buy of cocaine
from Saxton at the body shop at 2100 Courtright Road. Prior to the transaction, officers
witnessed Saxton arrive at the body shop and enter through the west door. A few minutes
later, officers observed Saxton come back outside, meet the informant in the parking lot,
and escort the informant back inside the body shop. The informant successfully purchased
cocaine while inside the body shop.
{¶ 8} Following the controlled drug transaction, the affidavit stated Whitehall
officers followed Saxton to 6144 Stornoway Drive where he parked his vehicle in the
"designated parking spot" for that address and entered the apartment through the rear
door. (Aff. in Support of Warrant to Search at 5.) Detective Grinstead averred that he
believed the proceeds from the drug transaction would be at Saxton's residence along with
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drugs and drug-related assets. Additionally, Detective Grinstead noted that the prior
HIDTA investigation "shows [Saxton] in and out of [6144 Stornoway Drive] prior to and
after suspected drug transactions." (Aff. in Support of Warrant to Search at 5.) Finally, the
affidavit noted Saxton's prior criminal history includes several convictions for drug-related
offenses, as well as convictions for domestic violence and assault.
{¶ 9} At the suppression hearing, the trial court addressed Saxton's claim that
under Franks v. Delaware, 438 U.S. 154 (1978), Detective Grinstead's affidavit was
deliberately or recklessly misleading. While Saxton argued that the affidavit did not explain
that some of the information in the affidavit came from the prior HIDTA investigation, the
trial court determined that Saxton failed to show that the affidavit contained any
intentional or reckless false statements regarding the HIDTA investigation. However, with
the state's agreement, the trial court allowed defense counsel to question Detective
Grinstead regarding the statement in the affidavit that "an indictment for conspiracy to
distribute cocaine is pending" against Saxton, because Saxton was not under indictment at
the time of the affidavit. (May 17, 2018 Tr. at 7.) In response, Detective Grinstead stated
that during his investigation into Saxton, HIDTA detectives told him they had a "pending
case" with Saxton and "led [him] to believe that they were going to file an indictment against
him at the time of [Detective Grinstead's] Whitehall investigation." (May 17, 2018 Tr. at
32.) Further, Detective Grinstead testified he did not intend the "pending" line to be a false
statement but intended it to mean that "the investigation is pending and the indictment is
pending being filed." (May 17, 2018 Tr. at 48.)
{¶ 10} During the hearing, Detective Grinstead also testified about obtaining the
warrant for the body shop at 2100 Courtright Road. Detective Grinstead described the
building as having no visible address on the outside, but he knew the 2100 address from
the HIDTA investigation, from maps of the area, and from the fact that the building was on
the even-numbered side of the road. Though Detective Grinstead agreed officers executing
the warrant entered through two separate doors, one on the west side and one on the north
side of the building, he testified that he had no reason to believe, prior to entering, that
there were multiple addresses associated with the building.
No. 18AP-925 5
{¶ 11} The warrant authorized a search of:
2100 Courtright Road, Columbus, Ohio 43232, A multi room
building constructed of block painted gray with red trim. The
building has an office door located on the west side of the
building that is constructed with wood paneling. There is
currently no visible sign or address for the reported auto body
shop.
(State's Ex. 1, Warrant to Search.) Detective Grinstead testified that all the drugs seized
pursuant to the warrant for 2100 Courtright Road came from the west office, and police
seized a firearm from a crate in the mechanic's bay on the opposite side of the building.
Detective Grinstead testified that there was no indication that the mechanic's bay was
outside the authorized search area of the warrant.
{¶ 12} Following the hearing, the trial court denied Saxton's motion to suppress in
a May 31, 2018 decision and entry. Specifically, the trial court found both search warrants
were valid and contained probable cause to search both the body shop on Courtright Road
and the apartment on Stornoway Drive. As to Saxton's Franks challenge, the trial court
concluded that the affidavit "clearly" stated which information stemmed from the HIDTA
investigation. (Decision at 5.) However, the trial court concluded that a reviewing judge or
law enforcement officer would likely interpret the "pending federal indictment" line of the
affidavit as suggesting an indictment had already been filed against Saxton, so the trial
court struck that line from the affidavit and determined that the remaining content of the
affidavit created sufficient probable cause to search both locations. (Decision at 5-6.)
{¶ 13} Subsequently, on June 18, 2018, Saxton entered pleas of no contest to all six
counts of the indictment. At the plea hearing, the state provided the following facts: when
police apprehended Saxton, he had $635 in cash on his person as well as pills in his jacket
pockets and in the console of his vehicle. The search of Stornoway Drive yielded
approximately 267 grams of cocaine, 36 grams of heroin, 2,000 grams of "brick-sized"
cocaine, another 830 grams of heroin, digital scales, and a drug press. (June 18, 2018 Tr.
at 7-8.) Additionally, the search of Courtright Road yielded 68 grams of cocaine, 45 grams
of heroin, a digital scale, a notebook with names and addresses, 31 individually wrapped
pills, 3 grams of crack cocaine, and a loaded pistol in a crate in the mechanic's bay of the
body shop. The trial court accepted Saxton's plea, found him guilty of all six offenses, and
No. 18AP-925 6
sentenced him to an aggregate prison term of 18 years, journalizing his conviction in a
November 1, 2018 judgment entry. Saxton timely appeals.
II. Assignments of Error
{¶ 14} Saxton assigns the following errors for our review:
[1.] The trial court erred in denying defendant-appellant's
motion to suppress heroin, cocaine, and a firearm seized by law
enforcement officers pursuant to search warrants that were
issued and executed in violation of his rights under the Fourth
and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States
Constitution.
[2.] The trial court's failure to merge the two counts of
possession of cocaine and the two counts of possession of
heroin violated defendant-appellant's rights under the double
jeopardy clause of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to
the United States Constitution, and Article I, Section 10 of the
Ohio Constitution.
[3.] Defendant-appellant was denied his right to the effective
assistance of counsel as guaranteed by the Sixth and
Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution.
III. First Assignment of Error – Motion to Suppress
{¶ 15} In his first assignment of error, Saxton argues the trial court erred in denying
his motion to suppress.
{¶ 16} " 'Appellate review of a motion to suppress presents a mixed question of law
and fact. When considering a motion to suppress, the trial court assumes the role of trier
of fact and is therefore in the best position to resolve factual questions and evaluate the
credibility of witnesses. Consequently, an appellate court must accept the trial court's
findings of fact if they are supported by competent, credible evidence. Accepting these facts
as true, the appellate court must then independently determine, without deference to the
conclusion of the trial court, whether the facts satisfy the applicable legal standard.' "
(Citations omitted.) State v. Roberts, 110 Ohio St. 3d 71, 2006-Ohio-3665, ¶ 100, quoting
State v. Burnside, 100 Ohio St. 3d 152, 2003-Ohio-5372, ¶ 8.
{¶ 17} The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, as applied to the
states through the Fourteenth Amendment, provides that "[t]he right of the people to be
secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and
No. 18AP-925 7
seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause,
supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and
the persons or things to be seized." The Ohio Constitution similarly provides at Article I,
Section 14 "[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and
possessions, against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated; and no
warrant shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, particularly
describing the place to be searched and the person and things to be seized."
{¶ 18} Saxton argues the search warrant affidavit here failed to establish probable
cause. More specifically, Saxton asserts the trial court erred in (1) finding the warrant
contained probable cause to search 6144 Stornoway Drive; (2) not holding a Franks hearing
regarding the information linked to the prior HIDTA investigation; and (3) finding there
was sufficient particularity in the warrant to describe the area to be searched at 2100
Courtright Road. We address each of these arguments in turn.
A. Probable Cause to Search Stornoway Drive Residence
{¶ 19} Saxton first argues the trial court erred in determining the search warrant
contained probable cause to search 6144 Stornoway Drive.
{¶ 20} Ordinarily, "[w]hen determining whether a search warrant affidavit
demonstrates probable cause, a magistrate must ' "make a practical, common-sense
decision whether, given all the circumstances set forth in the affidavit before him,
including the 'veracity' and 'basis of knowledge' of persons supplying hearsay information,
there is a fair probability that contraband or evidence of a crime will be found in a particular
place." ' " State v. Neil, 10th Dist. No. 14AP-981, 2016-Ohio-4762, ¶ 34, quoting State v.
George, 45 Ohio St. 3d 325 (1989), paragraph one of the syllabus, quoting Illinois v. Gates,
462 U.S. 213, 238-39 (1983). By contrast, in reviewing the sufficiency of probable cause
contained in a search warrant affidavit, an appellate court must not substitute its judgment
for that of the magistrate, "but reviews the warrant 'simply to ensure that the magistrate
had a substantial basis for concluding that probable cause existed,' according 'great
deference to the magistrate's determination of probable cause,' and resolving 'doubtful or
marginal cases * * * in favor of upholding the warrant.' " State v. Eal, 10th Dist. No. 11AP-
460, 2012-Ohio-1373, ¶ 9, quoting George at paragraph two of the syllabus.
No. 18AP-925 8
{¶ 21} "Probable cause means less evidence than would justify condemnation, so
that only the 'probability, and not a prima facie showing, of criminal activity is the standard
of probable cause.' " (Internal quotations and emphasis omitted.) Eal at ¶ 10, quoting
George at 329. Generally, the issuing judge or magistrate is confined to the averments
contained in the supporting affidavit to determine whether probable cause supports a
search warrant. Eal at ¶ 10; Neil at ¶ 34, citing State v. Castagnola, 145 Ohio St. 3d 1, 2015-
Ohio-1565, ¶ 106.
{¶ 22} However, before we can address probable cause based on the affidavit, we
recognize that the trial court determined that the statement in the search warrant affidavit
that Saxton "has a pending federal indictment for a conspiracy charge out of the HIDTA
investigation (2016)" should be stricken from the affidavit because there was no federal
indictment pending against Saxton. (May 31, 2018 Decision at 5-6.) When a portion of a
search warrant affidavit has been "validly redacted," a reviewing court no longer affords the
ordinary "great deference" to the issuing magistrate and instead reviews the sufficiency of
the remaining portions of the affidavit under a de novo standard. United States v. Elkins,
300 F.3d 638, 651-52 (6th Cir.2002), citing United States v. Morehead, 959 F.2d 1489,
1498 (10th Cir.1992). Although the state argues the trial court did not validly redact this
line from the search warrant because it stopped short of declaring the line to be
intentionally or recklessly false or misleading, and thus the standard of review would not
change, we find that even under the heightened de novo standard, the search warrant
contained probable cause to search Stornoway Drive.
{¶ 23} In reviewing the four corners of the search warrant affidavit minus the
redacted language, Saxton argues the affidavit does not establish probable cause because it
did not demonstrate a nexus between the conduct the officers observed and the location
ultimately searched at Stornoway Drive. As the Supreme Court of Ohio has noted, a
probable cause determination for a search warrant requires special considerations,
including "how stale the information relied upon is, when the facts relied upon occurred,
and whether there is a nexus between the alleged crime, the objects to be seized, and the
place to be searched." Castagnola at ¶ 34. Further, "[w]hen considering whether a nexus
exists between the alleged crime and the place to be searched, ' "the circumstances must
indicate why evidence of illegal activity will be found in a particular place." ' " State v.
No. 18AP-925 9
Phillips, 10th Dist. No. 15AP-1038, 2016-Ohio-5944, ¶ 14, quoting United States v.
Washington, 380 F.3d 236, 240 (6th Cir.2004), quoting United States v. Carpenter, 360
F.3d 591, 594 (6th Cir.2004). " '[A] nexus exists between a known drug dealer's criminal
activity and the dealer's residence when some reliable evidence exists connecting the
criminal activity with the residence.' " Phillips at ¶ 14, quoting United States v. Gunter, 266
Fed.Appx. 415, 419 (6th Cir.2008). By contrast, "when 'the only evidence of a connection
between illegal activity and the residence is unreliable, such as uncorroborated statements
by a confidential informant, then a warrant may not issue allowing the search of the
residence.'' Phillips at ¶ 14, quoting Gunter at 419.
{¶ 24} The search warrant affidavit here contained information that four separate
confidential informants provided reliable information that Saxton was trafficking drugs out
of the body shop at 2100 Courtright Road. Whitehall police additionally conducted
surveillance for two controlled buys involving Saxton at the body shop. The affidavit further
stated officers observed Saxton return immediately to 6144 Stornoway Drive after
conducting one of the controlled buys. As this court has previously noted in two other cases
involving Detective Grinstead, " '[t]he temporal proximity between appellant's arrivals to
the residence and the controlled drug transactions, combined with Detective Grinstead's
experience in narcotics investigations, provided the magistrate with a substantial basis to
conclude that a nexus existed between the place to be searched and the alleged criminal
activity, and, at the least, probable cause to believe the proceeds of a drug transaction would
be located in the residence.' " State v. Young, 10th Dist. No. 18AP-845, 2019-Ohio-4639,
¶ 19, quoting Phillips at ¶ 26.
{¶ 25} Additionally, the redacted search warrant affidavit contained ample probable
cause to establish 6144 Stornoway Drive was Saxton's residence, despite Saxton's
arguments to the contrary. Officers observed Saxton return directly to 6144 Stornoway
Drive after conducting the controlled buy, park his vehicle in the address's designated
parking spot, and enter through the rear door of the apartment. Moreover, to the extent
Saxton argues the search warrant affidavit failed to establish probable cause to search 6144
Stornoway Drive because no one provided police with any information about what might
be inside the residence, we have noted that an informant need not indicate having been
personally inside a drug dealer's residence and observing narcotics there in order to
No. 18AP-925 10
establish probable cause to search. Young at ¶ 21, citing Phillips at ¶ 24-26, citing United
States v. Brown, 828 F.3d 375 (6th Cir.2016). In addition to the information in the search
warrant affidavit that HIDTA agents believed 6144 Stornoway Drive to be Saxton's
residence, the Whitehall officers' observations created probable cause both that Saxton
resided at the address and that his residence would contain the proceeds of the drug
transactions and/or further drug trafficking materials.
{¶ 26} For these reasons, even under a heightened de novo standard of review, we
conclude the non-excised portions of the search warrant affidavit established a sufficient
nexus between the alleged criminal activity and the residence to be searched. See Young at
¶ 22, citing Phillips at ¶ 25. Accordingly, we conclude probable cause existed for the
issuance of a search warrant of Saxton's residence at 6144 Stornoway Drive, and the trial
court did not err in denying Saxton's motion to suppress on that basis.
B. Franks Hearing
{¶ 27} Saxton next argues the trial court erred in not holding a Franks hearing.
Saxton's motion to suppress asserted, in part, that the search warrant authorizing the
search of both locations was invalid because the accompanying affidavit contained false
statements. In Franks v. Delaware, 438 U.S. 154 (1978), the United States Supreme Court
set forth the procedure for challenging the veracity of a search warrant affidavit. Initially,
the defendant must make a "substantial preliminary showing that a false statement
knowingly and intentionally, or with reckless disregard for the truth, was included by the
affiant in the warrant affidavit, and * * * the allegedly false statement is necessary to the
finding of probable cause." Franks at 155-56. This preliminary stage requires the
defendant to provide "an offer of proof which specifically outlines the portions of the
affidavit alleged to be false, and the supporting reasons for the defendant's claim." State v.
Roberts, 62 Ohio St. 2d 170, 178 (1980). "This offer of proof should include the submission
of affidavits or otherwise reliable statements, or their absence should be satisfactorily
explained." Id. If the defendant satisfies this preliminary burden, he or she is entitled to a
hearing on his motion to suppress. Franks at 156.
{¶ 28} Here, the trial court conducted a hearing on Saxton's motion to suppress and
permitted questioning of Detective Grinstead related to why he worded the supporting
affidavit in certain ways. This line of questioning led the trial court to excise a portion of
No. 18AP-925 11
the search warrant affidavit. Nonetheless, Saxton now argues the trial court erred in not
granting him a separate hearing on his Franks claim.
{¶ 29} Saxton argued at the trial court that the search warrant affidavit failed to
delineate which information came from the HIDTA investigation and which information
came from Whitehall Police Department's separate investigation. Further, Saxton argues
the affidavit was intentionally written in a manner intended to deceive the magistrate as to
which information came from which investigation. However, having reviewed the affidavit,
we disagree. The affidavit clearly states which information relates to the prior HIDTA
investigation, when and if Whitehall officers relied on that information, and which
information resulted from the separate investigation by the Whitehall Police Department.
Thus, Saxton did not make the threshold showing required under Franks. Accordingly, we
conclude the trial court did not err in failing to hold a more full Franks hearing beyond
what it allowed at the suppression hearing.
C. Sufficient Particularity for 2100 Courtright Road
{¶ 30} Finally under this assignment of error, Saxton argues the trial court erred in
denying his motion to suppress because the search warrant affidavit did not describe with
sufficient particularity the area to be searched at 2100 Courtright Road.
{¶ 31} Saxton asserts the warrant lacked sufficient particularity because it identified
only 2100 Courtright Road but did not account for the building consisting of two units or
for the second address linked to the property, 2104 Courtright Road. In addition to the
constitutional requirement that a search warrant shall "particularly describe" the place to
be searched, Crim.R. 41(C) also requires a search warrant and supporting affidavit to
particularly describe the place to be searched. State v. Gravely, 188 Ohio App. 3d 825,
2010-Ohio-3379, ¶ 24 (10th Dist.).
{¶ 32} "Because a search warrant and supporting affidavit usually contain more
information than just an address to identify the intended search target, a search warrant is
not necessarily invalid if it describes the property to be searched with an incorrect address."
Gravely at ¶ 25, citing State v. Scott, 7th Dist. No. 02 CA 108, 2003-Ohio-5011, ¶ 22-24.
"Rather, to determine whether a property description is constitutionally valid, a trial court
must determine whether the place to be searched is described with sufficient particularity
to enable the executing officer to locate and identify the premises with reasonable effort,
No. 18AP-925 12
and whether there is any reasonable probability that another premises might be mistakenly
searched." Gravely at ¶ 25, citing State v. Pruitt, 97 Ohio App. 3d 258, 261 (11th Dist.1994).
{¶ 33} Here, the warrant authorized a search of "2100 Courtright Road, Columbus,
Ohio 43232, A multi room building constructed of block painted gray with red trim. The
building has an office door located on the west side of the building that is constructed with
wood paneling. There is currently no visible sign or address for the reported auto body
shop." (State's Ex. 1.) As the trial court noted, although Saxton provided evidence that the
Franklin County Auditor has now assigned two addresses to the property, he provided no
evidence that the building was assigned two separate addresses at the time the warrant was
obtained or at the time the property was searched. When, with the benefit of hindsight, it
appears that the description of the place to be searched was "broader than appropriate"
because it was based on the mistaken belief of the layout of a multi-unit building, "[t]he
question is whether that factual mistake invalidated a warrant that undoubtedly would have
been valid if it had reflected a completely accurate understanding of the building's floor
plan." Maryland v. Garrison, 480 U.S. 79, 85 (1987). Even if the property here did have
two addresses associated with it at the time of the search, there is no indication that the
officers knew or "should have known" that the building had two addresses. Id. at 85.
Additionally, we find the information in the warrant described the premises with sufficient
particularity to enable the executing officers to locate and identify the correct premises and
to minimize the chances of a mistaken search. Gravely at ¶ 30.
{¶ 34} For these reasons, we conclude the trial court did not err in denying Saxton's
motion to suppress for lack of sufficient particularity related to 2100 Courtright Road.
Having also determined the trial court did not err in denying Saxton's motion to suppress
related to Stornoway Drive and his Franks challenge, we overrule Saxton's first assignment
of error.
IV. Second Assignment of Error – Merger
{¶ 35} In his second assignment of error, Saxton argues the trial court erred in
failing to merge his two cocaine possession counts and his two heroin possession counts.
Saxton does not argue the possession counts for the different drugs should merge, just that
the possession counts for the same drugs should merge with each other. As the state notes,
Saxton did not raise any merger issue in the trial court, and thus our review is limited to
No. 18AP-925 13
plain error. State v. Adams, 10th Dist. No. 13AP-783, 2014-Ohio-1809, ¶ 6, citing State v.
Taylor, 10th Dist. No. 10AP-939, 2011-Ohio-3162, ¶ 34. A trial court's failure to merge
convictions on allied offenses constitutes plain error. State v. Underwood, 124 Ohio St. 3d
365, 2010-Ohio-1, ¶ 31.
{¶ 36} In reviewing a trial court's determination of whether a defendant's offenses
should merge pursuant to the multiple counts statute, an appellate court review's the trial
court's R.C. 2941.25 determination de novo. State v. S.S., 10th Dist. No. 13AP-1060, 2014-
Ohio-5352, ¶ 28, citing State v. Williams, 134 Ohio St. 3d 482, 2012-Ohio-5699, ¶ 1.
" 'Appellate courts apply the law to the facts of individual cases to make a legal
determination as to whether R.C. 2941.25 allows multiple convictions. That facts are
involved in the analysis does not make the issue a question of fact deserving of deference to
a trial court.' " S.S. at ¶ 28, quoting Williams at ¶ 25.
{¶ 37} R.C. 2941.25 provides:
(A) Where the same conduct by defendant can be construed to
constitute two or more allied offenses of similar import, the
indictment or information may contain counts for all such
offenses, but the defendant may be convicted of only one.
(B) Where the defendant's conduct constitutes two or more
offenses of dissimilar import, or where his conduct results in
two or more offenses of the same or similar kind committed
separately or with a separate animus as to each, the indictment
or information may contain counts for all such offenses, and
the defendant may be convicted of all of them.
{¶ 38} Saxton argues the trial court erred when it failed to merge the offenses of
possession of cocaine as a major drug offender and possession of cocaine as well as for
failing to merge the offense of possession of heroin as a major drug offender and possession
of heroin. "When the defendant's conduct constitutes a single offense, the defendant may
be convicted and punished only for that offense. When the conduct supports more than
one offense, however, a court must conduct an analysis of allied offenses of similar import
to determine whether the offenses merge or whether the defendant may be convicted of
separate offenses." State v. Ruff, 143 Ohio St. 3d 114, 2015-Ohio-995, ¶ 24.
{¶ 39} "To determine whether two offenses are allied offenses that merge into a
single conviction, a court must evaluate three separate factors: the conduct, the animus,
No. 18AP-925 14
and the import." State v. Harris, 10th Dist. No. 15AP-683, 2016-Ohio-3424, ¶ 42, citing
Ruff at paragraph one of the syllabus. "If any of the following is true, the offenses cannot
merge and the defendant may be convicted and sentenced for multiple offenses: (1) the
offenses are dissimilar in import or significance—in other words, each offense caused
separate, identifiable harm, (2) the offenses were committed separately, or (3) the offenses
were committed with separate animus or motivation." Ruff at ¶ 25. Ultimately, if the harm
resulting from each offense is separate and identifiable, the offenses are of dissimilar
import and do not merge. Harris at ¶ 42, citing Ruff at ¶ 25.
{¶ 40} In conducting an analysis of whether two offenses are allied offenses of
similar import, the Supreme Court of Ohio directs an appellate court to look beyond the
statutory elements and to consider the defendant's conduct. "A trial court and the
reviewing court on appeal when considering whether there are allied offenses that merge
into a single conviction under R.C. 2941.25(A) must first take into account the conduct of
the defendant. In other words, how were the offenses committed?" Ruff at ¶ 25.
{¶ 41} Here, Saxton argues we need not engage in the Ruff analysis because R.C.
2925.11, the possession statute, indicates a legislative intent to calibrate the punishment for
the offense based on the aggregate drug weight. In support of this argument, Saxton relies
on State v. Miranda, 138 Ohio St. 3d 184, 2014-Ohio-451, which states it is not necessary to
resort to an analysis under the multiple counts statute when the legislature's intent on
multiplicity of indictments "is clear from the language of the [offense] statute." Miranda
at ¶ 10. We are mindful that Miranda predates Ruff, but we nonetheless will address
Saxton's argument about aggregating the quantities of drugs.
{¶ 42} Saxton was convicted of one count of possession of cocaine as a major drug
offender and one count of possession of cocaine as a first-degree felony, as well as one count
of possession of heroin as a major drug offender and one count of possession of heroin as a
second-degree felony. All of these offenses are violations of R.C. 2925.11. To trigger major
drug offender status, which carries a mandatory 11-year prison term, an offender must
possess an amount that equals or exceeds 100 grams of cocaine or 100 grams of heroin.
R.C. 2925.11(C)(4)(f); R.C. 2925.11(C)(6)(f). Separately, for possession of cocaine to be a
first-degree felony but without major drug offender status, an offender must possess an
amount of cocaine that equals or exceeds 27 grams but is less than 100 grams. R.C.
No. 18AP-925 15
2925.11(C)(4)(e). Additionally, for possession of heroin to be a second-degree felony an
offender must possess an amount of heroin that equals or exceeds 10 grams but is less than
50 grams. R.C. 2925.11(C)(6)(d).
{¶ 43} Saxton essentially argues that once the state is able to charge an offender as
a major drug offender, all of the possession charges for that same drug must necessarily
aggregate into one amount and the state cannot convict the offender of additional
possession counts. However, as the state notes, the separate charges in the indictment
relate to the separate searches of Stornoway Drive and Courtright Road. The amount of
cocaine and heroin seized at Stornoway Drive, on its own, was enough to trigger major drug
offender status for each of those drugs: more than 2,000 grams of cocaine and more than
830 grams of heroin. At a separate geographic location, Courtright Road, police then seized
additional amounts of cocaine and heroin in amounts sufficient to charge Saxton with first-
degree felony possession of cocaine and second-degree felony possession of heroin:
specifically, 68 grams of cocaine and 45 grams of heroin. Thus, the state did not rely on
aggregating the quantities of the drugs seized at the two locations in order to authorize
charging Saxton as a major drug offender. Despite Saxton's Miranda argument, we do not
read R.C. 2925.11 as evincing an intent to preclude additional possession charges once the
major drug offender threshold has been reached and the offender possessed the additional
drugs at a separate geographic location. Accordingly, we do not agree with Saxton that the
Ruff analysis does not apply here.
{¶ 44} The second prong of the Ruff analysis provides that offenses do not merge if
the offenses were committed separately. Ruff at ¶ 25. Here, the amount of cocaine and
heroin supporting the major drug offender charges was separately packaged, in a separate
geographic location, recovered at separate times, and as a result of separate searches than
the non-major drug offender possession charges. Under these circumstances, we find that
the two sets of offenses were committed separately. State v. Stoermer, 2d Dist. No. 2017-
CA-93, 2018-Ohio-4522, ¶ 27-28 (where the same drug was separately packaged and found
in "two geographically separate locations" at separate times and as a result of separate
searches, the two counts for possession of the same drug do not merge). Accordingly, the
offenses were not allied offenses, and Saxton may be convicted and sentenced for both sets
of offenses. The trial court, therefore, did not plainly err when it did not treat Saxton's two
No. 18AP-925 16
cocaine possession convictions or his two heroin possession convictions as allied offenses.
We overrule his second assignment of error.
V. Third Assignment of Error – Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
{¶ 45} In his third and final assignment of error, Saxton argues he received the
ineffective assistance of counsel. More specifically, Saxton asserts his trial counsel was
ineffective in failing to file a motion to suppress his statements to police following his arrest
and in failing to make a merger argument at the trial court.
{¶ 46} In order to prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, Saxton must
satisfy a two-prong test. First, he must demonstrate that his counsel's performance was
deficient. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984). This first prong requires
Saxton to show that his counsel committed errors which were "so serious that counsel was
not functioning as the 'counsel' guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth Amendment." Id. If
Saxton can so demonstrate, he must then establish that he was prejudiced by the deficient
performance. Id. To show prejudice, Saxton must establish there is a reasonable
probability that, but for his counsel's errors, the result of the trial would have been different.
A "reasonable probability" is one sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome of the
trial. Id. at 694.
{¶ 47} In considering claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, courts indulge in a
strong presumption that counsel's conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable
professional assistance. State v. Conway, 109 Ohio St. 3d 412, 2006-Ohio-2815, ¶ 101.
Saxton contends his trial counsel was ineffective in (1) failing to file a motion to suppress
his statements to police following his arrest and (2) failing to request merger of the two
cocaine possession counts with each other and the two heroin possession counts with each
other.
A. Failure to File Motion to Suppress Statements to Police
{¶ 48} Saxton's first allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel is his trial
counsel's failure to file a motion to suppress the statements Saxton made to police following
his arrest in which he admitted to possession of the drugs. The failure to file a motion to
suppress may constitute ineffective assistance of counsel when the record demonstrates
that the motion would have been granted had trial counsel filed it. State v. Neil, 10th Dist.
No. 14AP-981, 2016-Ohio-4762, ¶ 53, citing State v. Hawkins, 10th Dist. No. 15AP-35,
No. 18AP-925 17
2016-Ohio-1404, ¶ 93. Similarly, the failure to raise a particular argument in support of a
motion to suppress may constitute ineffective assistance of counsel when it appears from
the record that the motion would have been granted had the argument been raised. Id.
However, " '[c]ounsel is not deficient for failing to raise a meritless issue.' " Neil at ¶ 53,
quoting State v. Massey, 10th Dist. No. 12AP-649, 2013-Ohio-1521, ¶ 13.
{¶ 49} Saxton asserts his arrest was unconstitutional because officers lacked
probable cause for his arrest, and thus his trial counsel should have filed a motion to
suppress the statements he made following his allegedly unconstitutional arrest. However,
as we explained in our resolution of Saxton's first assignment of error, the search warrant
affidavit contained ample probable cause that Saxton had committed and was engaged in
numerous drug offenses. Thus, the same facts that created probable cause for police to
secure the search warrants, including police conducting surveillance on Saxton's controlled
drug transactions, also created probable cause for police to conduct a warrantless arrest of
Saxton in a public place. See State v. Taylor, 10th Dist. No. 18AP-7, 2019-Ohio-2018, ¶ 8
(internal quotations omitted) ("[p]robable cause for a warrantless arrest exists if all the
facts and circumstances within the officer's knowledge were sufficient to cause a prudent
person to believe that the individual has committed or was committing an offense").
{¶ 50} Additionally, to the extent Saxton argues his arrest was unconstitutional
because police could have instead obtained a warrant for his arrest, this court has
considered and rejected such an argument for warrantless arrests. Taylor at ¶ 14 (holding
that "a warrantless arrest that is based on probable cause and occurs in a public place does
not violate the Fourth Amendment" even if police would have had time to first obtain a
warrant).
{¶ 51} Saxton also argues his arrest was unconstitutional because Whitehall police
officers arrested him within the territorial limits of Gahanna. However, R.C. 2935.04
provides that "[w]hen a felony has been committed, or there is reasonable ground to believe
that a felony has been committed, any person without a warrant may arrest another whom
he has reasonable cause to believe is guilty of the offense, and detain him until a warrant
can be obtained." The Supreme Court of Ohio has held that the felony arrest statute applies
to a law enforcement officer outside his or her jurisdiction. State v. Wac, 68 Ohio St. 2d 84,
No. 18AP-925 18
87-88 (1981) (where probable cause exists at the time of the arrest, the arrest is "permissible
both constitutionally and under the felony arrest statute").
{¶ 52} For all of these reasons, we find that Saxton's arrest was not unconstitutional.
Accordingly, any motion to suppress Saxton's statements to police on the basis that his
arrest was unconstitutional would not have been granted. Thus, Saxton's trial counsel was
not deficient for failing to file such a motion to suppress.
B. Failure to Raise Merger Argument
{¶ 53} Finally, Saxton argues his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to raise a
merger argument in the trial court related to his cocaine possession convictions and his
heroin possession convictions. Saxton's argument reflects the argument he made under his
second assignment of error on appeal. Because Saxton's trial counsel did not raise the
merger issue in the trial court, we reviewed Saxton's argument under a plain error standard,
and, in disposing of that argument, we concluded Saxton was unable to demonstrate plain
error. " '[W]here the failure to object does not constitute plain error, the issue cannot be
reversed by claiming ineffective assistance of counsel.' " State v. Roy, 10th Dist. No. 14AP-
223, 2014-Ohio-4587, ¶ 20, quoting State v. Carson, 10th Dist. No. 05AP-13, 2006-Ohio-
2440, ¶ 51. Having previously held, in addressing Saxton's second assignment of error, that
the trial court did not plainly err when it did not merge his convictions, we conclude
Saxton's argument in this regard fails to satisfy the second prong of the Strickland test.
State v. Abdullahi, 10th Dist. No. 18AP-222, 2018-Ohio-5146, ¶ 49.
{¶ 54} Thus, because Saxton cannot satisfy the Strickland test, Saxton's claim of
ineffective assistance of counsel must fail. Accordingly, we overrule Saxton's third and final
assignment of error.
VI. Clerical Error
{¶ 55} The judgment entry in this case states Saxton entered a plea of guilty when
the record indicates he entered a plea of no contest. We find this to be a clerical error. See
State v. Mobley, 10th Dist. No. 18AP-205, 2018-Ohio-4678, ¶ 7, fn. 2 (correction of an entry
to accurately reflect that defendant had pled "no contest" rather than "guilty" is the
correction of a clerical error appropriate for a nunc pro tunc entry). Thus, despite having
overruled the merits of Saxton's three assignments of error, we nonetheless must remand
No. 18AP-925 19
the matter for the trial court to file a nunc pro tunc entry to correct the clerical mistake
relating to the nature of Saxton's plea.
VII. Disposition
{¶ 56} Based on the foregoing reasons, the trial court did not err in denying Saxton's
motion to suppress, in not merging his convictions for possession of cocaine with each other
and his convictions of possession of heroin with each other, and Saxton did not receive the
ineffective assistance of counsel. Having overruled Saxton's three assignments of error, we
affirm the judgment of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas but remand to that
court for the limited purpose of issuing a nunc pro tunc entry correcting Saxton's judgment
entry.
Judgment affirmed; cause remanded.
KLATT, P.J., and SADLER, J., concur.