Marcos Melendez v. State

Fourth Court of Appeals
San Antonio, Texas
OPINION
No. 04-14-00513-CR
Marcos MELENDEZ,
Appellant
v.
The
The STATE of Texas,
Appellee
From the 186th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas
Trial Court No. 2013CR7816
Honorable Maria Teresa Herr, Judge Presiding
Opinion by: Sandee Bryan Marion, Chief Justice
Sitting: Sandee Bryan Marion, Chief Justice
Rebeca C. Martinez, Justice
Luz Elena D. Chapa, Justice
Delivered and Filed: May 6, 2015
AFFIRMED
Marcos Melendez pled guilty to possession of a controlled substance after the trial court
denied his motion to suppress. On appeal, Melendez contends the trial court erred in: (1) failing
to enter findings of fact and conclusions of law; and (2) denying his motion to suppress. We affirm
the trial court’s judgment.
BACKGROUND
The only witness to testify at the hearing on Melendez’s motion to suppress was Officer
Mark Ortega. Officer Ortega testified that he was dispatched to a nightclub at 1:55 a.m. in response
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to a call that an individual was trying to sell cocaine to an unknown female at the location. Officer
Ortega testified that the nightclub was a problem area with fights every Friday and Saturday night,
recent shootings, and “there’s a lot of narcotics that come out of there.” Officer Ortega arrived at
the nightclub at 2:01 a.m. and went to speak to the manager who advised him that security officers
had detained the male who was trying to sell narcotics to a female in the nightclub. Officer Ortega
did not know who the female was.
Officer Ortega approached the individual, later identified as Melendez, who was being
detained by security officers outside the entrance of the nightclub. The security officers had not
searched Melendez, but had placed him in handcuffs. Officer Ortega led Melendez to his patrol
car for safety reasons since the nightclub was preparing to close, and replaced the security officer’s
handcuffs with his own.
Because Melendez spoke Spanish, another officer assisted Officer Ortega in questioning
Melendez. Officer Ortega testified that Melendez appeared to be intoxicated because he could
smell a strong scent of intoxicants on his breath. Melendez was first asked if he had any drugs or
weapons on him, and he responded that he did not. Officer Ortega next asked if Melendez would
consent to a search, and he said yes. During the search, Officer Ortega found a controlled
substance in Melendez’s pocket and placed Melendez under arrest.
After hearing Officer Ortega’s testimony, the trial court denied Melendez’s motion to
suppress. Melendez pled guilty to the offense of possession of a controlled substance and was
placed on deferred adjudication community supervision. On appeal, Melendez challenges the trial
court’s denial of his motion to suppress.
FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
In his first issue, Melendez contends that the trial court erred in failing to enter findings of
fact and conclusions of law. The State responds that Melendez did not file a timely request for
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findings of fact and conclusions of law because the request was not filed until nearly six weeks
after the trial court’s ruling on the motion. The State also contends that because the request was
filed by Melendez pro se when he was represented by appointed counsel, the trial court was not
required to enter findings of fact and conclusions of law in response to the pro se request.
A. Timeliness
In State v. Cullen, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals held “upon the request of the losing
party on a motion to suppress evidence, the trial court shall state its essential findings.” 195
S.W.3d 696, 699 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006). The court then looked to Rule 297 of the Texas Rules
of Civil Procedure to provide guidance regarding timing. Id. The court noted, “The rule states
that ‘The court shall file its findings of fact and conclusions of law within twenty days after a
timely request is filed.’” Id. (quoting TEX. R. CIV. P. 297) (emphasis added).
Citing Cullen, the State contends the trial court was not required to enter findings of fact
and conclusions of law unless a “timely” request was filed. We agree. See Jackson v. State, Nos.
13-11-031-CR, 13-11-032-CR, 13-11-033-CR, 13-11-0034-CR & 13-11-035-CR, 2011 WL
2651793, at *1 n.3 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi July 7, 2011, no pet.) (holding trial court did not
err in denying an untimely request for findings of fact and conclusions of law after denying a
motion to suppress) (not designated for publication).
The State also, however, contends Melendez’s request was not timely filed because it was
filed “nearly six weeks after the trial court made the ruling on the motion to suppress.” We
disagree.
As previously noted, in Cullen, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals looked to the Texas
Rules of Civil Procedure to provide guidance on the entry of findings of fact and conclusions of
law relating to a trial court’s ruling on a motion to suppress. 195 S.W.3d at 699. Rule 296 requires
a request for findings of fact and conclusions of law to be filed “within twenty days after judgment
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is signed.” TEX. R. CIV. P. 296 (emphasis added). In this case, the trial court signed the terms and
conditions placing Melendez on deferred adjudication community supervision on July 14, 2014,
and signed the order of deferred adjudication on July 17, 2014. Melendez filed a pro se request
for findings of fact and conclusions of law on July 16, 2014. Thus, Melendez’s request was filed
less than twenty days after the trial court’s “judgment” was signed. Accordingly, Melendez’s
request was timely filed. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 296.
B. Hybrid Representation 1
The State also contends the trial court was not required to enter findings of fact and
conclusions of law in response to Melendez’s pro se request because Melendez was represented
by counsel when the request was filed. We agree.
In Robinson v. State, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals held because a defendant has
no right to hybrid representation, a trial court is free to disregard any pro se motions presented by
a defendant who is represented by counsel. 240 S.W.3d 919, 922 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007).
Although the document in this case is a request and not a motion, this factual distinction does not
affect the applicability of the legal principle which does not require a trial court to take any action
with regard to a pro se defendant’s filing when the pro se defendant is represented by counsel. See
id. Because the record in this case reflects that Melendez was represented by counsel when he
filed his pro se request, the trial court was free to disregard it. See id. Accordingly, Melendez’s
first issue is overruled.
MOTION TO SUPPRESS
In his second issue, Melendez contends the trial court erred in denying his motion to
suppress because the security guards made an illegal citizen’s arrest in the absence of a breach of
1
“Hybrid” representation “is defined as representation partly by counsel and partly by self.” Robinson v. State, 270
S.W.3d 919, 921 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007).
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the peace by Melendez. In his third issue, Melendez contends the trial court erred in denying his
motion to suppress because the citizen’s arrest was illegal, and Officer Ortega did not develop
probable cause to maintain custody over Melendez upon Officer Ortega’s arrival at the scene. In
his fourth issue, Melendez contends his consent to Officer Ortega’s search was involuntary
because it also was tainted by the illegal citizen’s arrest.
The State responds that the security guards had reasonable suspicion to detain Melendez,
and the same information supporting their initial detention supported Melendez’s continued
detention by Officer Ortega upon his arrival. Because Melendez was lawfully detained, the State
asserts his consent to Officer Ortega’s search was voluntary.
A. Standard of Review
In reviewing a trial court’s ruling on a motion to suppress, we view the evidence in the
light most favorable to the trial court’s ruling. Johnson v. State, 414 S.W.3d 184, 192 (Tex. Crim.
App. 2013). Because the trial court did not make explicit findings of fact, we infer “the necessary
factual findings that support the trial court’s ruling if the record evidence (viewed in the light most
favorable to the ruling) supports these implied factual findings.” Id.
B. Evaluation of Actions by the Security Officers
The parties agree that the record contains no evidence that the security officers were
certified peace officers or off-duty policemen. Therefore, the actions of the security officers are
evaluated under the same law applicable to ordinary citizens.
The Texas exclusionary rule provides “No evidence obtained by an officer or other person
in violation of any provisions of the Constitution or laws of the State of Texas, or of the
Constitution or laws of the United States of America, shall be admitted in evidence against the
accused on the trial of any criminal case.” TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 38.23(a) (West 2005)
(emphasis added). The Texas exclusionary rule is broader than the federal exclusionary rule that
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applies only to governmental actors, not private individuals. Miles v. State, 241 S.W.3d 28, 34
(Tex. Crim. App. 2007). Thus, the Texas exclusionary rule applies to illegal searches or seizures
conducted by “‘other persons,’ even when those other persons are not acting in conjunction with,
or at the request of, government officials.” Id. at 36. In applying the rule, the Texas Court of
Criminal Appeals has explained, “a private person can do what a police officer standing in his
shoes can legitimately do, but cannot do what a police officer cannot do.” Id. at 39.
C. Detention or Arrest
“There are three distinct types of police-citizen interactions: (1) consensual encounters that
do not implicate the Fourth Amendment; (2) investigative detentions that are Fourth Amendment
seizures of limited scope and duration that must be supported by a reasonable suspicion of criminal
activity; and (3) arrests, the most intrusive of Fourth Amendment seizures, that are reasonable only
if supported by probable cause.” Wade v. State, 422 S.W.3d 661, 667 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013).
Which type of encounter exists under a given set of historical facts is a question of law that is
reviewed de novo. State v. Garcia-Cantu, 253 S.W.3d 296, 241 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008).
Both an arrest and a detention are restraints on a person’s freedom; however, an arrest
involves a greater degree of restraint. State v. Sheppard, 271 S.W.3d 281, 290 (Tex. Crim. App.
2008); State v. Whittington, 401 S.W.3d 263, 272 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2013, no pet.). “We
evaluate whether a person has been detained to the degree associated with arrest on an ad hoc, or
case-by-case, basis.” State v. Ortiz, 382 S.W.3d 367, 372 (Tex. Crim. App. 2012). “In making
the custody determination, the primary question is whether a reasonable person would perceive
the detention to be a restraint on his movement comparable to a formal arrest, given all the
objective circumstances.” Id. (internal citations omitted). The following factors may be
considered when determining whether a seizure was a detention or an arrest: (1) the amount of
force displayed; (2) the duration of a detention; (3) the efficiency of the investigative process and
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whether it is conducted at the original location or the person is transported to another location; (4)
the officer’s expressed intent—that is, whether he told the detained person that he was under arrest
or was being detained only for a temporary investigation; and (5) any other relevant factors.
Sheppard, 271 S.W.3d at 291; Whittington, 401 S.W.3d at 272. “Additional factors Texas courts
have found relevant when determining the reasonableness of a detention include the nature of the
crime under investigation, the degree of suspicion, the location of the stop, the time of day, the
number of suspects present, the reaction of each suspect, and whether the officer actually conducts
an investigation.” Whittington, 401 S.W.3d at 272.
“During an investigatory detention, officers are permitted to use reasonably necessary force
to maintain the status quo, effectuate an investigation, or protect the safety of individuals at the
scene.” Whittington, 401 S.W.3d at 272. “For example, it is sometimes reasonable for officers to
handcuff suspects during an investigatory detention in order to maintain the status quo or to ensure
officer safety.” Whittington, 401 S.W.3d at 272; see also Sheppard, 271 S.W.3d at 289 (stating
the use of handcuffs does not automatically convert a detention into an arrest).
In this case, the only force shown to have been displayed was the use of handcuffs. The
evidence, however, established that the nightclub was known for having problems, and the trial
court could infer from the evidence that Melendez approached the female around the time the
nightclub was closing at 2:00 a.m. Although Melendez argues the record does not establish the
duration of the detention because no evidence establishes when the security officers initially
detained him, we defer to the trial court’s evaluation of the historical facts, and the trial court could
reasonably have inferred that Officer Ortega received the dispatch shortly after the security guards
restrained Melendez. The evidence establishes that Officer Ortega arrived only six minutes after
receiving the dispatch, and the investigative process was conducted at the original location.
Finally, the evidence establishes Melendez was initially placed in the handcuffs by the security
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officers while awaiting the arrival of law enforcement. After reviewing the totality of the
circumstances, we conclude that Melendez was detained by the security officers. 2 Because Officer
Ortega asked Melendez only two questions shortly after arriving, we further conclude that
Melendez was not arrested until after Officer Ortega conducted the search and found the controlled
substance in his pocket.
D. Reasonable Suspicion
As previously noted, a detention of a person is only required to be supported by reasonable
suspicion. Wade, 422 S.W.3d at 667. “Reasonable suspicion to detain a person exists if an officer
has specific, articulable facts that, combined with rational inferences from those facts, would lead
him to reasonably conclude that the person detained is, has been, or soon will be engaged in
criminal activities.” State v. Kerwick, 393 S.W.3d 270, 273 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013). “These facts
must show unusual activity, some evidence that connects the detainee to the unusual activity, and
some indication that the unusual activity is related to crime.” Id. “The test for reasonable suspicion
is an objective one that focuses solely on whether an objective basis exists for the detention.” Id.
at 274. In determining whether reasonable suspicion exists, the totality of the circumstances are
considered. Id.
Melendez contends that the security officers did not have reasonable suspicion to detain
him because the information that he was attempting to sell cocaine was provided to the nightclub
manager by an unidentified club patron. A citizen’s tip may provide reasonable suspicion to
support a detention if the tip contains sufficient indicia of reliability. Nacu v. State, 373 S.W.3d
2
Because we conclude the security officers did not arrest Melendez, but only detained him, no “citizen’s arrest”
occurred that would require further analysis under article 14.01(a) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. See TEX.
CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 14.01(a) (West 2005) (providing “other person” may arrest an offender without a warrant
for an offense “classed as a felony or as an offense against the public peace” when the offense is committed in his
presence or within his view).
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691, 694 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2012, no pet.). Because the record does not establish that the
female club patron was identified by name, we treat her as an anonymous citizen informant. Id.
“We evaluate four factors in determining the reliability of an anonymous citizen’s information: (1)
whether the informant provided a detailed description of the wrongdoing; (2) whether the
informant observed the wrongdoing firsthand; (3) whether the informant is somehow connected
with the police (e.g., a paid informant); and (4) whether the informant placed himself in a position
to be held accountable for the report.” Id. (internal citations omitted). Where unsolicited
information is provided in a face-to-face encounter, as opposed to an anonymous call, the
information is considered inherently more reliable because the face-to-face informant “places
himself or herself in a position to be held responsible” for the information provided. Id. Applying
these factors, the female club patron provided a sufficiently detailed description of the wrongdoing
by reporting that Melendez was trying to sell her cocaine on the nightclub’s premises. In addition,
she observed the wrongdoing firsthand and was not connected with the police. Finally, she
provided the information in a face-to-face encounter, making the information she provided
inherently more reliable.
After applying the factors, we conclude the information provided by the female club patron
was reliable. Furthermore, the security officers’ ability to locate Melendez on the premises of the
nightclub based on the information provided by the female club patron sufficiently corroborated
her information, and thereby established reasonable suspicion to justify Melendez’s detention. Id.
at 695. Finally, Officer Ortega was entitled to rely on this same information in briefly continuing
Melendez’s detention after his arrival. See Arizpe v. State, 308 S.W.3d 89, 91-92 (Tex. App.—
San Antonio 2010, no pet.) (noting facts to support reasonable suspicion “need not be based upon
an officer’s personal observations”).
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E. Conclusion
After reviewing the totality of the circumstances, we conclude Melendez was not arrested
by the security officers, but only detained. Because the security officers had reasonable suspicion
that Melendez was or had been attempting to sell narcotics to a female club patron, they were
authorized to detain him, and Officer Ortega was authorized to further detain Melendez pending
his investigation based on this same information. Accordingly, Melendez’s second and third issues
are overruled. In his fourth issue, Melendez contends his consent to Officer Ortega’s search was
involuntary because he was illegally arrested. Having overruled Melendez’s contention that he
was illegally arrested in his second and third issues, Melendez’s fourth issue is also overruled.
CONCLUSION
The trial court’s judgment is affirmed.
Sandee Bryan Marion, Chief Justice
PUBLISH
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