State v. Herbert

[Cite as State v. Herbert, 2019-Ohio-5092.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
JEFFERSON COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v.
HAKEEN CORTEZ HERBERT aka HAKEEM CORTEZ HERBERT,
Defendant-Appellant.
OPINION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY
Case No. 19 JE 0003
Criminal Appeal from the
Court of Common Pleas of Jefferson County, Ohio
Case No. 18 CR 124 A
BEFORE:
Cheryl L. Waite, Carol Ann Robb, David A. D’Apolito, Judges.
JUDGMENT:
Affirmed.
Atty. Jane M. Hanlin, Jefferson County Prosecutor, Jefferson County Justice Center,
16001 State Route 7, Steubenville, Ohio 43952, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
Atty. Adam V. Buente, The Law Office of Adam V. Buente, LLC, 841 Boardman-Poland
Road, Suite 307, Boardman, Ohio 44512, for Defendant-Appellant.
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Dated: December 9, 2019
WAITE, P.J.
{¶1} Appellant Hakeen (also referred to as “Hakeem”) C. Herbert appeals a
January 23, 2019 Jefferson County Common Pleas Court judgment entry convicting him
of three counts of having weapons while under disability. Appellant argues that the trial
court failed to notify him of his right to appeal during the Crim.R. 11 plea colloquy.
Appellant also argues that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to file a motion to
suppress evidence seized pursuant to a search warrant. For the reasons provided,
Appellant’s arguments are without merit and the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Factual and Procedural History
{¶2} The Jefferson County Drug Taskforce (“taskforce”) began investigating drug
activity at a residence located on Claire Avenue in Steubenville. (1/18/19 Hrg., p. 20.)
During the course of the investigation, officers received information from a confidential
informant who apparently saw Appellant’s codefendants, Richard Wilson and John Sharp,
trafficking drugs at the residence.
{¶3} During the same time frame, the taskforce began investigating Appellant,
Wilson, Sharp, and Lester Donte Jordan after videos were found on various social media
platforms showing the men with firearms. (1/18/19 Hrg. Tr., p. 21.) At least one video
was posted to Facebook and at least one video was posted to Snapchat. It is unclear
who originally uploaded these videos. Regardless, Appellant and his codefendants were
each “tagged” in the social media posts. The videos showed Appellant and his
codefendants firing weapons while in Fernwood State Park in Steubenville. At the time,
Appellant was under a weapons disability stemming from two prior felony convictions,
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Jefferson County case number 16-CR-164 and Linn County, Illinois case number IA-
057015J.
{¶4} On June 18, 2018, the taskforce obtained and executed a search warrant
at the Claire Ave. residence. While the record is not entirely clear as to who owns the
house, it appears that Appellant lived there at the time of the search. During the search,
members of the taskforce seized the following firearms: one AR-15 Tactical 556 rifle, one
FNX Tactical .45 caliber pistol, one Glock 27 .40 caliber pistol, and a “Sig Saur” pistol.
The taskforce also seized $1,020 and $10,698.50. It is unclear why the two amounts are
separately listed, as it appears that all monies were seized during the same search. At
some point thereafter, Appellant admitted to Detective Jason Hanlin that he knew the
weapons were inside the house and where they were located, however, he claimed that
they belong to his codefendant, Jordan, who is not under a weapons disability. (1/18/19
Hrg. Tr., p. 22.) Appellant also informed Det. Hanlin where Jordan purchased the
weapons.
{¶5} On August 15, 2018, Appellant was indicted on one count of trafficking in
drugs (heroin), in violation of R.C. 2925.03(A)(1), (C)(6)(c), a felony of the fourth degree,
with two forfeiture specifications pertaining to the $1,020 and $10,698 seized by law
enforcement; four counts of having weapons while under disability in violation of R.C.
2923.13(A)(3), felonies of the third degree; and one count of receiving stolen property, a
violation of R.C. 2913.51(A), a felony of the fourth degree. The “Sig Saur” pistol is also
the basis of the receiving stolen property charge. Appellant’s codefendants were also
charged with various crimes within the indictment.
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{¶6} On January 18, 2019, Appellant pleaded no contest to three counts of
having weapons while under disability (the AR-15, FNX pistol, and Glock). The state
dismissed the other weapons charge pertaining to the “Sig Saur” pistol, the drug
trafficking charge, and the receiving stolen property charge. (1/18/19 Amended
Indictment.) At the plea hearing, the state presented evidence regarding the social media
videos and Appellant’s statements to Det. Hanlin, and introduced two photographs
showing Appellant holding firearms. (1/18/19 Hrg. Tr., p. 22.) According to the state, the
photographs were taken inside the basement of the Claire Ave. residence. Appellant’s
face and tattoos are visible in the photographs. In each photograph, Appellant can clearly
be seen holding a firearm, including one photograph where he pointed the firearm’s laser
at the camera.
{¶7} Following the trial court’s acceptance of Appellant’s no contest plea, the
court immediately proceeded to sentencing. The court accepted the joint
recommendation and sentenced Appellant to thirty months of incarceration on each
count, to run concurrently. The court credited Appellant with 215 days served. Although
the drug trafficking charge was dismissed, Appellant agreed to waive any interest in the
money and firearms seized by the taskforce. It is from this entry that Appellant timely
appeals.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 1
The Trial Court Failed to Advise Appellant of His Right to Appeal, a
Constitutional Error That Requires Vacation of the Sentence and a Remand
to the Trail [sic] Court for Further Proceedings.
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{¶8} Appellant contends that the trial court failed to advise him of his right to an
appeal at the plea hearing. Appellant claims that a defendant’s right to appeal is a
constitutional right for purposes of Crim.R. 11, thus he need not demonstrate prejudice.
In the event that this Court finds that the right is nonconstitutional, he argues that prejudice
is evident from the restrictions placed on his ability to appeal issues involving a motion to
suppress.
{¶9} In response, the state explains that the advisement of a defendant’s
appellate rights falls under Crim.R. 32, and is irrelevant to a Crim.R. 11 analysis.
Pursuant to Crim.R. 32, Appellant must demonstrate prejudice resulting from the trial
court’s failure to advise Appellant. The state contends that the case cited by Appellant is
contrary to his position and supports the state’s argument that Appellant cannot
demonstrate prejudice because he did file a timely appeal in this matter. See State v.
Finch, 5th Dist. Licking No. 11 CA 6, 2011-Ohio-4273.
{¶10} Appellant exhibits some confusion, here, as he has meshed the concepts
of Crim.R. 11 and Crim.R. 32. Although Appellant uses the terms and principles of the
rules interchangeably, they address wholly different concepts. Crim.R. 11 details the
advisements that must be given to a defendant at a plea hearing, whereas Crim.R. 32
provides the advisements that must be made to a defendant at a sentencing hearing. The
advisements necessary at a Crim.R. 11 plea hearing involve the rights that the defendant
waives as a result of his plea. The advisements given at the sentencing hearing pertain
to the rights a defendant maintains regarding his sentence and subsequent appeal.
{¶11} In his confusion, Appellant argues that the advisement of a defendant’s right
to appeal is a part of the advisements of constitutional rights made pursuant to Crim.R.
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11(C). However, the Ohio Supreme Court and all twelve Ohio appellate districts have
expressly limited the advisements of constitutional rights to the five rights found within
Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(c), which include: the right to a jury trial, the right to confront one’s
accusers, the privilege against self-incrimination, and the right to require the state to prove
all elements beyond a reasonable doubt. See State v. Veney, 120 Ohio St. 3d 176, 2008-
Ohio-5200, 897 N.E.2d 621; State v. Green, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-170477, 2019-Ohio-
1428; State v. Davis, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2018-CA-49, 2019-Ohio-1904; State v. Norville,
3d Dist. Seneca No. 13-18-26, 2018-Ohio-5220; State v. Willison, 4th Dist. Athens No.
18CA18, 2019-Ohio-220; State v. Shaw, 5th Dist. Muskingum No. CT2018-0054, 2019-
Ohio-2387; State v. Anderson, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-18-1110, 2019-Ohio-1915; State v.
Howell, 7th Dist. Monroe No. 17 MO 0018, 2019-Ohio-1806; State v. Gossett, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 107871, 2019-Ohio-3284; State v. Conley, 9th Dist. Lorain No.
18CA011314, 2019-Ohio-2763; State v. Haddad, 2017-Ohio-1290, 88 N.E.3d 556 (10th
Dist.); State Knezeak, 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2018-A-0093, 2019-Ohio-3056; State v.
Martin, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2018-09-105, 2019-Ohio-2792.
{¶12} As earlier discussed, the advisement of a defendant’s appellate rights is
made pursuant to Crim.R. 32. Crim.R. 32(B)(3) provides:
If a right to appeal or a right to seek leave to appeal applies under division
(B)(1) or (B)(2) of this rule, the court also shall advise the defendant of all
of the following:
(a) That if the defendant is unable to pay the cost of an appeal, the
defendant has the right to appeal without payment;
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(b) That if the defendant is unable to obtain counsel for an appeal, counsel
will be appointed without cost;
(c) That if the defendant is unable to pay the costs of documents necessary
to an appeal, the documents will be provided without cost;
(d) That the defendant has a right to have a notice of appeal timely filed on
his or her behalf.
{¶13} As noted by the state, the case relied on by Appellant supports the state’s
position. The Finch court held that the right to an appeal of a criminal conviction is not a
constitutional right for purposes of Crim.R. 11. Instead, it is an advisement arising from
the requirements of Crim.R. 32. The court explained: “the right to appeal does not arise
until sentencing. It is not a requirement to be performed prior to the acceptance of a plea
and has no bearing on whether the plea was knowingly, intelligently or voluntarily made.”
Id. at ¶ 26.
{¶14} That said, Appellant is correct that the trial court failed to advise him at
sentencing of his right to have an appeal filed on his behalf. However, all twelve Ohio
appellate districts hold that this error is harmless where the defendant either files a timely
appeal or the court of appeals accepts a delayed appeal. See State v. Joiner, 1st Dist.
Hamilton No.C-840784, 1985 WL 8916 (July 3, 1985); State v. Fulton, 2d Dist. Clark No.
2002-CA-62, 2003-Ohio-1556, reversed on other grounds; State v. Miller, 3d Dist. Putnam
No. 12-10-13, 2011-Ohio-1459; State v. Thompson, 4th Dist. Washington Nos. 10CA5,
10CA13, 2012-Ohio-3188; State v. Fryer, 2015-Ohio-4573, 48 N.E.3d 962 (5th Dist.);
State v. Miller, 2017-Ohio-670, 85 N.E.3d 475 (6th Dist.); State v. McElroy, 7th Dist.
Case No. 19 JE 0003
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Mahoning No. 99 C.A. 70, 2000 WL 1486761 (Sept. 22, 2000); State v. Nix, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 106894, 2018-Ohio-4702, reopened on other grounds; State v. Moore, 9th
Dist. Lorain No. 15CA010753, 2017-Ohio-7546, vacated on other grounds; State v. D.H.,
10th Dist. Franklin No. 15AP-525, 2015-Ohio-5281; State v. Antoine, 11th Dist. Portage
No. 2018-P-0009, 2019-Ohio-414; State v. Abrams, 12th Dist. Clermont Nos. CA2017-
03-018, CA2017-03-019, 2017-Ohio-8536.
{¶15} Appellant has filed a timely appeal in this matter and appointed counsel filed
a merit brief on his behalf. In accordance with established Ohio law, the trial court’s failure
to advise Appellant of his right to appeal is harmless.
{¶16} Appellant’s first assignment of error is without merit and is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 2
Trial Counsel Was Ineffective in Not Filing a Motion to Suppress All
Evidence Obtained as a Result of an Unconstitutionally General Warrant
Allowing a Search of “All Persons.”
{¶17} Appellant argues that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to file a
motion to suppress evidence obtained pursuant to “an unconstitutionally general” search
warrant. (Appellant’s Brf., p. 9.) According to Appellant, the language of the search
warrant permitted law enforcement to search “any person suspected to be involved in
drug activity or concealing any of the listed evidence on their person.” (Appellant’s Brf.,
p. 10.) Appellant contends that such language is overly broad pursuant to State v. Kinney,
83 Ohio St. 3d 85, 698 N.E.2d 49 (1998). Appellant asserts that he informed the trial court
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at his plea hearing that he had reservations regarding his counsel’s failure to file a motion
to suppress and appeared to be confused regarding the issue.
{¶18} The state responds that, although Appellant initially indicated that he
wanted a motion to suppress filed, he unequivocally stated at the plea hearing that he no
longer wished to file the motion and would rather accept the terms of the negotiated plea
agreement. The trial court questioned Appellant on the issue and confirmed that he
desired to accept the negotiated plea agreement in lieu of filing a motion to suppress.
{¶19} The test for ineffective assistance of counsel is two-part: whether trial
counsel's performance was deficient and, if so, whether the deficiency resulted in
prejudice. State v. White, 7th Dist. Jefferson No. 13 JE 33, 2014-Ohio-4153, ¶ 18, citing
Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984); State v.
Williams, 99 Ohio St. 3d 493, 2003-Ohio-4396, 794 N.E.2d 27, ¶ 107. In order to prove
prejudice, “[t]he defendant must show that there is a reasonable probability that, but for
counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different.
A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the
outcome.” State v. Lyons, 7th Dist. Belmont No. 14 BE 28, 2015-Ohio-3325, ¶ 11, citing
Strickland at 694. The appellant must affirmatively prove the alleged prejudice occurred.
Strickland at 693.
{¶20} Because an appellant must satisfy both Strickland prongs, if one prong is
not met, an appellate court need not address the remaining prong. Id. at 697. The
appellant bears the burden of proof on the issue of counsel's effectiveness, and in Ohio,
a licensed attorney is presumed competent. State v. Carter, 7th Dist. Columbiana No.
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2000-CO-32, 2001 WL 741571 (June 29, 2001), citing State v. Calhoun, 86 Ohio St. 3d
279, 289, 714 N.E.2d 905 (1999).
{¶21} As a threshold issue, the search warrant in this case, which Appellant
quotes in his brief, is not part of the appellate record. Hence, we cannot confirm the
accuracy of the quoted passage within Appellant’s brief. Importantly, because the search
warrant is de hors the record, we cannot consider it on appeal. Even if Appellant could
demonstrate that the failure to file a motion to suppress in this matter amounted to
deficient performance, he cannot demonstrate prejudice.
{¶22} It appears Appellant believes the guns seized by means of the warrant
should not have been used as evidence. Again, prejudice can only be shown where
“there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result
of the proceeding would have been different.” Lyons, at ¶ 11. The state introduced a
plethora of admissible evidence in this matter against Appellant, even if a motion to
suppress the weapons would have been successful. The state introduced some of the
records in two cases, one from Jefferson County and another from Linn County, Illinois,
to show that Appellant was under a weapons disability. The state admitted two
photographs into evidence during the plea hearing, which are a part of the appellate
record. The photographs show Appellant holding firearms while inside the basement of
the Claire Ave. residence. Appellant’s face and tattoos are clearly visible in the
photographs. It is also clear from the photographs that Appellant is holding a firearm. In
fact, in one photograph, he is shown pointing a firearm with the firearm’s laser aimed at
the camera. These facts alone are sufficient to result in conviction.
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{¶23} The state additionally presented evidence of Appellant’s statements to Det.
Hanlin that he was aware firearms were inside the residence and that he knew where
those weapons were located. The state also possessed and was prepared to admit into
evidence several videos of Appellant holding and firing several firearms. Even without
the seized firearms, there is ample evidence to convict Appellant of having weapons while
under disability.
{¶24} Regardless, Appellant clearly and unequivocally stated at the plea hearing
that, while he originally wanted to file a motion to suppress, he would rather accept the
negotiated plea agreement. The following conversation occurred between Appellant and
the trial court at the plea hearing:
THE COURT: Is there anything he’s -- is there anything that you think ought
to be done that’s not yet done, like talk to a witness, file a motion, explain
something to you, anything at all?
[APPELLANT]: I did want a motion filed at first but --
THE COURT: Excuse me?
[APPELLANT]: At first I did want a motion filed till we came to this
agreement.
THE COURT: Okay. Well, what happened to that? I mean, are you good
that that didn’t happen or --
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[APPELLANT]: Like I just rather do the plea of no contest and take the 30
months.
(1/18/19 Hrg. Tr., p. 18.)
{¶25} It is clear from this passage that Appellant preferred to accept the
agreement reached by the parties and no longer wished to pursue a motion to suppress.
In addition to the court’s questioning of Appellant, it also questioned his counsel regarding
the matter.
THE COURT: What motion did he want filed?
[COUNSEL]: Your Honor, it was my understanding from our conversations
that we originally talked about a possible motion to suppress based off the
search warrant.
THE COURT: But there had to be some grounds for that. Were there any?
[COUNSEL]: My client and myself discussed that matter at length. I went
over some caselaw that he had found, that I had found and I explained to
him the differences in the matter and that I felt it was baseless at -- at that
time.
THE COURT: Okay. Are you good with that?
[APPELLANT]: Yes, sir.
(1/18/19 Hrg. Tr., pp. 18-19.)
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{¶26} This record demonstrates that trial counsel reviewed the research Appellant
had apparently conducted with him and provided him with his own research showing that
a motion to suppress would have been baseless in this case. Counsel also explained to
Appellant the difference between his case and those he found in his research. Appellant
confirmed to the court that this conversation occurred and that he was satisfied with the
discussion. Further, Appellant clearly expressed his desire to accept the negotiated plea
agreement and forgo the filing of a motion to suppress.
{¶27} We note that Appellant faced a significant prison sentence if convicted of all
charged counts, because the maximum punishment was three years of incarceration for
each weapons disability charge and eighteen months each for the drug trafficking and
receiving stolen property charges. With the benefit of the jointly recommended sentence,
Appellant is serving only two and one-half years. This total sentence represents three
counts of weapons disability and is less than the maximum possible penalty for one single
count of a weapons disability. Appellant faced three additional charges which were
dismissed pursuant to the plea agreement. This record shows that Appellant received a
significantly reduced sentence.
{¶28} Based on the record, Appellant fails both prongs of the Strickland test.
Appellant made an informed decision to forgo filing a motion to suppress. Additionally,
he cannot demonstrate prejudice. Appellant’s second assignment of error is without merit
and is overruled.
Conclusion
{¶29} Appellant argues that the trial court failed to notify him of his appellate rights
during the plea colloquy. Appellant also argues that his trial counsel was ineffective for
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failing to file a motion to suppress. Pursuant to caselaw, Appellant cannot demonstrate
prejudice as to the trial court’s failure to notify him at sentencing of his appellate rights
because he filed a timely appeal. Additionally, Appellant determined that he would rather
accept the terms of a negotiated plea agreement than file a motion to suppress. Again,
Appellant cannot demonstrate prejudice. Accordingly, Appellant’s arguments are without
merit and the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Robb, J., concurs.
D’Apolito, J., concurs.
Case No. 19 JE 0003
[Cite as State v. Herbert, 2019-Ohio-5092.]
For the reasons stated in the Opinion rendered herein, the assignments of error
are overruled and it is the final judgment and order of this Court that the judgment of
the Court of Common Pleas of Jefferson County, Ohio, is affirmed. Costs waived.
A certified copy of this opinion and judgment entry shall constitute the mandate
in this case pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure. It is ordered that
a certified copy be sent by the clerk to the trial court to carry this judgment into
execution.
NOTICE TO COUNSEL
This document constitutes a final judgment entry.