State v. Thomas

[Cite as State v. Thomas, 2014-Ohio-5153.]
Court of Appeals of Ohio
EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
No. 101263
STATE OF OHIO
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE
vs.
LETHEDIOUS L. THOMAS
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT
JUDGMENT:
AFFIRMED AND REMANDED
Criminal Appeal from the
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Case No. CR-13-576098-A
BEFORE: Jones, P.J., S. Gallagher, J., and McCormack, J.
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: November 20, 2014
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT
Robert L. Tobik
Cuyahoga County Public Defender
BY: Cullen Sweeney
John T. Martin
Cuyahoga County Assistant Public Defender
310 Lakeside Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Timothy J. McGinty
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor
BY: Jennifer A. Driscoll
Assistant County Prosecutor
The Justice Center, 8th Floor
1200 Ontario Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
LARRY A. JONES, SR., P.J.:
{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Lethedious L. Thomas, appeals his convictions for gross
sexual imposition. We affirm his convictions, but remand to the trial court for correction of the
journal entry.
{¶2} In 2013, Thomas was charged with three counts of gross sexual imposition, two
counts of importuning, and one count of kidnapping with a sexual motivation specification
involving his former girlfriend’s young daughter.
{¶3} Thomas pleaded guilty to three counts of gross sexual imposition and the trial court
sentenced him to a maximum, consecutive sentence of 15 years in prison.
{¶4} Thomas appeals, raising the following assignments of error for our review:
I. Appellant’s guilty plea was not knowingly, intelligently, or voluntarily entered
when the trial court misinformed appellant that he could only receive five years in
prison.
II. The trial court, by considering uncharged, unproven and vague allegations of
criminal conduct in sentencing him to maximum, consecutive sentences, deprived
appellant of his liberty without due process and of his constitutional rights to a
grand jury indictment, to trial by an impartial jury, to proof of the charges against
him beyond a reasonable doubt, to confront the witnesses against him, and to
otherwise present a defense.
{¶5} In the first assignment of error, Thomas argues that his plea was not knowingly and
voluntarily made because the trial court told him the maximum sentence he could receive was
five, not 15, years in prison. The record does not support this claim.
{¶6} Crim.R. 11(C) governs the process by which a trial court must inform a defendant of
certain constitutional and nonconstitutional rights before accepting a felony plea of guilty or no
contest. The underlying purpose of Crim.R. 11(C) is to convey certain information to a
defendant so that he or she can make a voluntary and intelligent decision regarding whether to
plead guilty. State v. Schmick, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 95210, 2011-Ohio-2263, ¶ 5.
{¶7} To ensure that a defendant enters a plea knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently, a
trial court must engage in an oral dialogue with the defendant in accordance with Crim.R.
11(C)(2). State v. Engle, 74 Ohio St. 3d 525, 527, 660 N.E.2d 450 (1996). Crim.R. 11(C)(2)
requires that a trial court determine from a colloquy with the defendant whether the defendant
understands (1) the nature of the charge and maximum penalty, (2) the effect of the guilty plea,
and (3) the constitutional rights waived by a guilty plea.
{¶8} A trial court must strictly comply with the Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(c) requirements that
relate to the waiver of constitutional rights. State v. Veney, 120 Ohio St. 3d 176,
2008-Ohio-5200, 897 N.E.2d 621, ¶ 18. Under the more stringent standard for constitutionally
protected rights, a trial court’s acceptance of a guilty plea will be affirmed only if the trial court
engaged in meaningful dialogue with the defendant which, in substance, explained the pertinent
constitutional rights “in a manner reasonably intelligible to that defendant.” Id. at ¶ 27, citing
State v. Ballard, 66 Ohio St. 2d 473, 423 N.E.2d 115 (1981).
{¶9} With respect to the nonconstitutional requirements of Crim.R. 11, set forth in
Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a) and (b), reviewing courts consider whether there was substantial compliance
with the rule. Veney at ¶ 14-17. “Substantial compliance means that under the totality of the
circumstances the defendant subjectively understands the implications of his plea and the rights
he is waiving.” State v. Nero, 56 Ohio St. 3d 106, 108, 564 N.E.2d 474 (1990). “[I]f it appears
from the record that the defendant appreciated the effect of his plea and his waiver of rights in
spite of the trial court’s error, there is still substantial compliance.” State v. Caplinger, 105 Ohio
App.3d 567, 572, 664 N.E.2d 959 (4th Dist.1995). Further, a defendant must show prejudice
before a plea will be vacated for a trial court’s error involving Crim.R. 11(C) procedure when
nonconstitutional aspects of the plea colloquy are at issue. Veney at ¶ 17. Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a)
requires the court to determine that the defendant is making the plea voluntarily, with
understanding of the nature of the charges and of the maximum penalty involved. Therefore, a
trial court must substantially comply with this requirement.
{¶10} In the case at bar, our review of the record shows that the trial court adhered to the
requirements of Crim.R. 11. During the plea colloquy, Thomas affirmatively expressed that he
understood his rights and that he understood he was giving up those rights by entering a guilty
plea. The trial court explained each count to Thomas, informed him of the maximum time he
could receive on each count, and explained to him the sentencing range for each offense to which
he was pleading guilty.
{¶11} Thomas claims that he was induced to plead guilty because the court made him
think he could only receive a maximum of five years in prison, but the record belies that claim.
{¶12} The trial court explained:
Court: Mr. Thomas, you are expected to plead guilty to Counts 1, 3 and 5, each
of those counts alleges gross sexual imposition in violation of 2907.05(A)(4), and
therefore each is a felony of the third degree. This felony of the third degree —
each of those three is punishable by a period of imprisonment of 1 to 5 years, also
they’re
punishable by a fine of up to $10,000, and also there is a mandatory period of
postrelease control of five years. Do you understand that?
Thomas: * * * Yes. Yes.
(Emphasis added.) Transcript, p. 11-12.
{¶13} Thus, here, the trial court explained that Thomas was facing one to five years in
prison on each count of gross sexual imposition. Later on, during the plea colloquy, the court
inquired:
Court: Mr. Thomas, do you understand the penalties you face by
entering your guilty pleas?
Thomas: Yes.
Court: Do you have any questions about the penalties you face?
Thomas: Yes.
Court: You do have questions. What questions do you have?
Thomas: The sentencing guidelines for this right now, for taking this plea, it’s a
chance to get the max?
Court: Is there a chance that you could get the maximum?
Thomas: Yes.
Court: What do you mean by that, five years?
Thomas: Five years. Five years.
Court: Certainly that is a potential penalty, because the incarceration, period of
incarceration, the potential penalties are one to five years. So certainly, anything
from one up to five years you can get. I’m not the sentencing judge, so I have no
involvement in that part of it. I’m just taking the plea for you here today.
Thomas: Okay.
Court: But you can certainly get the maximum, there is no doubt that is a
possibility, is what I'm saying.
Thomas: Okay.
Court: Do you understand then?
Thomas: Yes.
(Emphasis added.) Transcript, p. 16-17.
{¶14} Thomas told the court he understood the possible penalties involved in his plea.
Despite his claim now that the court told him the maximum was five years, it is clear from the
transcript that Thomas was asking if it was possible that he could receive the maximum sentence
on each count. We do note, however, that it would be advisable to notify the defendant of the
total number of years the counts amount to, in this case 15 years, especially in instances such as
these, where the defendant further questions the sentence he or she is facing.
{¶15} But, based on the transcript and Thomas’s assurances that he understood the
penalties involved in his guilty pleas, the trial court complied with Crim.R. 11 in explaining the
maximum penalties he faced in pleading guilty to three counts of gross sexual imposition.
{¶16} Therefore, we find no fault with the plea colloquy, or that Thomas did not
understand the rights that he waived, or that his plea was not knowingly and intelligently made.
{¶17} The first assignment of error is overruled.
{¶18} In the second assignment of error, Thomas claims the trial court sentenced him to
consecutive, maximum sentences based on uncharged and unproven allegations that he had
sexually abused other children.
{¶19} R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) provides, in part, that when reviewing felony sentences, the
appellate court’s standard for review is not whether the sentencing court abused its discretion;
rather, if this court “clearly and convincingly” finds that (1) “the record does not support the
sentencing court’s findings under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4),” or that (2) “the sentence is otherwise
contrary to law,” then we “may increase, reduce, or otherwise modify a sentence * * * or [a
reviewing court] may vacate the sentence and remand the matter to the sentencing court for
re-sentencing.”
{¶20} A sentence is not clearly and convincingly contrary to law “where the trial court
considers the purposes and principles of sentencing under R.C. 2929.11 as well as the
seriousness and recidivism factors listed in R.C. 2929.12, properly applies postrelease control,
and sentences a defendant within the permissible statutory range.” State v. A.H., 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 98622, 2013-Ohio-2525, ¶ 10, citing State v. Kalish, 120 Ohio St. 3d 23,
2008-Ohio-4912, 896 N.E.2d 124, ¶ 18.
{¶21} R.C. 2929.11(A) provides that “[t]he overriding purposes of felony sentencing are
to protect the public from future crime by the offender and others and to punish the offender
using the minimum sanctions that the court determines accomplish those purposes without
imposing an unnecessary burden on state or local government resources.” Under R.C.
2929.12(A), trial courts must consider a nonexhaustive list of factors, including the seriousness
of the defendant’s conduct, the likelihood of recidivism, and “any other factors that are relevant
to achieving those purposes and principles of sentencing.”
{¶22} Pursuant to R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), when imposing consecutive sentences, the trial
court must first find the sentence is “necessary to protect the public from future crime or to
punish the offender.” Next, the trial court must find that consecutive sentences are “not
disproportionate to the seriousness of the offender’s conduct and to the danger the offender poses
to the public.” Finally, the trial court must find the existence of one of the three statutory
factors set forth in R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(a)-(c):
(a) The offender committed one or more of the multiple offenses while the
offender was awaiting trial or sentencing, was under a sanction imposed pursuant
to section 2929.16, 2929.17, or 2929.18 of the Revised Code, or was under
post-release control for a prior offense.
(b) At least two of the multiple offenses were committed as part of one or more
courses of conduct, and the harm caused by two or more of the multiple offenses
so committed was so great or unusual that no single prison term for any of the
offenses committed as part of any of the courses of conduct adequately reflects the
seriousness of the offender’s conduct.
(c) The offender’s history of criminal conduct demonstrates that consecutive
sentences are necessary to protect the public from future crime by the offender.
{¶23} Thomas bases his argument on the following statement the trial court made during
sentencing:
The Court makes a following finding with reference to its sentencing. The Court
does find that consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public from
future crime. And this Court takes into consideration and makes its finding
based upon the defendant’s statement to the victim that, [“]I will smash the door
in. I’ve done this many times to other kids. If you tell anyone about this, I will kill
you.[”]
Transcript, p. 47-48.
{¶24} This court has held that a trial court abuses its discretion when it sentences a
criminal defendant based upon a crime neither charged nor proven.
State v. Armetta, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 84366, 2005-Ohio-3689, ¶ 16. Although we no longer
review felony sentences under an abuse-of-discretion standard, Thomas claims that the trial court
erred and violated his constitutional rights.
{¶25} Thomas relies on State v. Longo, 4 Ohio App. 3d 136, 446 N.E.2d 1145 (8th
Dist.1982), for the proposition that it was error for the trial court to consider inappropriate and
prejudicial evidentiary material that clearly impacted its sentencing determination. Id. In
Longo, the appellant pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed weapon, but the sentencing court
concluded that the appellant was involved in an organized car theft ring after the court itself
made several ex parte contacts and conducted its own presentence investigation. This court
reversed, noting that the trial court’s “persuasion, on matters not charged or investigated” shaped
its decision. Id. at 141.
{¶26} Longo is easily distinguishable from this case because the trial court’s action in
Longo in conducting its ex parte investigation “went beyond any defensible limit.” Id. In this
case, the trial court relied on the presentence investigation report and the statements made by
Thomas, the victim’s mother, defense counsel, and the prosecutor.
{¶27} Ohio law is clear that “[u]nindicted acts or not guilty verdicts can be considered in
sentencing without resulting in error when they are not the sole basis for the sentence.” State v.
Gray, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 91806, 2009-Ohio-4200, ¶ 13, citing State v. Williams, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 79273, 2002-Ohio-503. Moreover, the rules of evidence do not apply in
sentencing hearings; therefore, a trial court may rely on hearsay statements contained in a
presentence investigation report. State v. Cook, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 87265, 2007-Ohio-625,
¶ 70, citing State v. Bundy, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 02 CA 211, 2005-Ohio-3310.
{¶28} In State v. Edwards, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 89181, 2007-Ohio-6068, the appellant
pleaded guilty to multiple counts of gross sexual imposition involving his niece. The trial court
relied on allegations made during the sentencing hearing that the appellant had molested other
nieces, but charges were never brought regarding those family members. This court affirmed
his sentence, finding that the uncharged conduct was not the sole basis for the sentence because,
when sentencing the appellant, the trial court stressed that the harm to the victim would last
forever and the victims included not just the victim of sexual abuse but also the families of the
victim and appellant. Moreover, “in mentioning that Edwards also abused other family
members for which he was not charged, the court was considering Edwards likelihood of
recidivism pursuant to R.C. 2929.12(D).” Id. at ¶ 7.
{¶29} In this case, there is no indication in the transcript that the trial court sentenced
Thomas to maximum, consecutive sentences solely based on allegations that he molested other
children. The court found that consecutive sentences were necessary to punish Thomas and
were not disproportionate to the seriousness of his conduct. The court expressly considered that
the victim was six years of age at the time of the abuse; the victim continued to have “serious
problems”; Thomas had committed a previous crime against the same family; and Thomas
denied committing the abuse.1
{¶30} Having found that the trial court made the required statutory findings to support the
imposition of consecutive sentences and the trial court considered all required factors of law, the
1
R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) requires a court to find, in part, that “the consecutive service is necessary
to protect the public from future crime or to punish the offender * * * .” (Emphasis added). The trial
court stated it was sentencing Thomas to protect the public from future crime based on the threats he
made to the victim, including the statement, “I’ve done this many times to other kids,” and his
sentence was designed to punish him. Therefore, even if we strike the offending portion of the trial
court’s sentence, the court still made the required findings.
second assignment of error is overruled.
{¶31} The record shows, however, that the trial court failed to incorporate into the
sentencing journal entry the statutory findings supporting consecutive sentences that it made at
the sentencing hearing. Thus, in light of State v. Bonnell, 140 Ohio St. 3d 209, 2014-Ohio-3177,
16 N.E.3d 659, this matter is remanded to the trial court for the court to issue a new sentencing
journal entry, nunc pro tunc, to incorporate its findings. The court does not, however, have an
obligation to state reasons to support its findings in the entry. Id. at ¶ 37; R.C. 2929.14(C)(4).
{¶32} Judgment affirmed and case remanded for a new sentencing journal entry.
It is ordered that appellant and appellee split the costs herein taxed.
The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this court directing the common pleas
court to carry this judgment into execution.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the
Rules of Appellate Procedure.
LARRY A. JONES, SR., PRESIDING JUDGE
SEAN C. GALLAGHER, J., and
TIM McCORMACK, J., CONCUR