State v. Olmstead , 2018 Ohio 5301 ( 2018 )

[Cite as State v. Olmstead, 2018-Ohio-5301.]
COURT OF APPEALS
ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
STATE OF OHIO : JUDGES:
: Hon. John W. Wise, P.J.
Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
: Hon. Earle E. Wise, Jr., J.
-vs- :
:
DAVID E. BRANDON OLMSTEAD : Case No. 18-COA-016
:
Defendant-Appellant : OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Court of Common
Pleas, Case No. 17-CR-039
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
DATE OF JUDGMENT: December 26, 2018
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant
CHRISTOPHER R. TUNNELL RUTH R. FISCHBEIN-COHEN
Prosecuting Attorney 3552 Severn Road No. 613
By: VICTOR R. PEREZ Cleveland, OH 44118
Assistant Prosecutor
110 Cottage Street
Ashland, OH 44805
Ashland County, Case No. 18-COA-016 2
Wise, Earle, J.
{¶ 1} Defendant-Appellant David E. Brandon Olmstead appeals the January 12,
2018 judgment of conviction and sentence of the Court of Common Pleas of Ashland
County, Ohio. Plaintiff-Appellee is the State of Ohio.
Factual Background and Procedural History
{¶ 2} On October 26, 2016, Ashland Police Detective Brian Evans received a
phone call from confidential informant (CI) Andrew Lentz. Lentz advised Evans that he
could buy marihuana from appellant. Evans met with Lentz, equipped Lentz with audio
and video recording devices, and provided him with $50 buy money.
{¶ 3} Lentz then placed a phone call to appellant to make arrangements. Evans
recorded the call. Then, as Evans kept visual surveillance, Lentz proceeded to appellant's
home as directed by appellant. Once there, Lentz gave appellant the buy money, and
appellant stated he needed to go around the corner to another residence to acquire
Lentz's marihuana. Lentz waited at appellant's home 10 or 15 minutes before appellant
returned with one eighth ounce of marihuana. Appellant offered to smoke with Lentz, but
Lentz declined and left. Lentz then returned to the Ashland Police Department and turned
the marihuana and recording equipment over to Evans. The marihuana was not sent for
testing, but had the appearance, consistency and odor of marihuana.
{¶ 4} On March 17, 2017, Lentz again advised Evans the he could make a
marihuana purchase from appellant. The same procedures were followed for this
controlled buy, and Lentz was provided $70 in buy money. Appellant told Lentz to meet
him in a Save-a-Lot parking lot in Ashland. When appellant arrived, he was a passenger
in a gray Chrysler Town and Country van. Appellant got out of the van and into the
Ashland County, Case No. 18-COA-016 3
passenger seat of Lentz's car. Lentz handed appellant the buy money and appellant
handed Lentz one quarter ounce of marihuana. Then, as directed by Evans, Lentz asked
appellant if he could get "ice cream," which is a street term for methamphetamine.
Appellant stated he could get it later. Lentz then returned to the Ashland Police
Department and surrendered the marihuana and recording equipment to Evans. This
marihuana was also not tested, but had the appearance, consistency, and odor of
marihuana. This buy as well as the October 26, 2016 buy were successfully captured on
video.
{¶ 5} On March 21, 2017, CI Bobbie Burdette texted Evans to tell him appellant
had reached out to her stating he had methamphetamine to sell. Evans met with Burdette,
equipped her with audio and video recording devices and provided her with $50 in buy
money. Burdette than made arrangements with appellant who directed her to a home on
Liberty Street. Evans had received complaints from neighbors of this residence about
high, short term traffic in and out of the home indicative of drug trafficking.
{¶ 6} Evans dropped Burdette off close to the home and maintained visual
surveillance as Burdette walked the remaining distance. He noticed the same gray van
he had observed during Lentz's second buy in the driveway. He observed a white male
exiting the van and noted a woman known to him as Jennifer Campbell driving.
{¶ 7} Burdette and the white male entered the home and Evans listened as
Burdette and appellant discussed the buy. Appellant produced a silver box containing the
methamphetamine and a scale and weighed out half a gram. Burdette handed appellant
the $50. Appellant handed Burdette the methamphetamine, but then suspecting she was
serving as a CI, appellant began pushing Burdette to smoke the meth with him to prove
Ashland County, Case No. 18-COA-016 4
she was not. Burdette eventually convinced appellant that she could not because she
was on her way to see her children, but would be back later. Appellant took his drugs
back and handed Burdette the buy money. Burdette returned to where Evans was waiting
and returned the recording devices. The devices successfully captured appellant's offer
to sell Burdette methamphetamine.
{¶ 8} Because Evans had observed the gray van at two different buys, as well as
gathered other intelligence on the vehicle, he obtained a warrant to place a GPS tracking
device on the van. The device was placed on March 23, 2017, and Evans began
monitoring its movements.
{¶ 9} The same day, Evans noted the van traveling north toward Akron. This
caught Evans' attention as he had gathered intelligence indicating appellant and his
associates were acquiring methamphetamine from the Akron area. He watched as the
van went through Summit County, into Portage County, made a short stop, and then
returned to Ashland. As the van drew near an area where Evans had positioned himself
on Route 250 East, he contacted Ashland Police Sergeant Craig Kiley to conduct a traffic
stop of the van.
{¶ 10} When contacted by Evans, Kiley was on patrol with his canine partner Felo
and his trainee Officer Kara Pearce. Kiley waited on Route 250 for the van to pass by.
When it did, he pulled out behind it and a short time later initiated a traffic stop based on
an equipment violation.
{¶ 11} Kiley found appellant behind the wheel, Jennifer Campbell in the passenger
seat and Kayla Odom in the back driver's side seat. As he discussed the equipment
violation with appellant, he noted appellant was breathing heavily, shaking, and would not
Ashland County, Case No. 18-COA-016 5
make eye contact. The women were also acting nervous. Odom wanted to do most of the
talking and kept asking if she could go urinate. Based on Evans' GPS monitoring, all three
lied about where they had been. Kiley advised appellant that he was going to run Felo
around the car. When he did, Felo indicated on the driver's side rear passenger door
where Odom was seated.
{¶ 12} The three were removed from the vehicle while it was searched. The search
turned up 4 cell phones, 2 of which belonged to appellant, but nothing more. Due to Felo's
alert, Kiley and Pearce followed up with questioning. Odom then admitted she had a bag
of methamphetamine in her pants and surrendered the same. All three suspects were
transported to the Ashland Police Station and a search warrant was obtained for
appellant's residence.
{¶ 13} At appellant's residence, officers discovered the silver box seen on the
video obtained during Burdette's buy. The box contained two scales, a ziplock bag
containing marihuana, a bowl for smoking marihuana, a straw, rolling papers, a butane
torch, and a spoon. The bag of suspected methamphetamine surrendered by Odom was
sent to the Mansfield Police Laboratory where is was confirmed to be 7.58 grams of
methamphetamine.
{¶ 14} As a result of these events, in April, 2017, the Ashland County Grand Jury
returned an indictment charging appellant as follows:
Count 1 - Trafficking in marihuana in violation of R.C. 2925.03(A)(1) a felony of the fifth
degree, alleged to have occurred on October 26, 2016
Count 2 – Trafficking in marihuana in violation of R.C. 2925.03(A)(1), a felony of the fifth
degree, alleged to have occurred on March 17, 2017.
Ashland County, Case No. 18-COA-016 6
Count 3 – Aggravated trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine) in violation of R.C.
2925.03(A)(1), a felony of the fifth degree, alleged to have occurred on March 21, 2017.
Count 4 – Complicity to aggravated possession of drugs (methamphetamine equal of
exceeding the bulk amount, but less than five times the bulk amount) in violation of R.C.
2923.03(A)(2) and R.C. 2925.11(A), a felony of the third degree, alleged to have occurred
on March 23, 2017.
Count 5 – Complicity to aggravated trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine equal or
exceeding the bulk amount, but less than five times the bulk amount) in violation of R.C.
2923.03(A)(2) and R.C. 2925.11(A), a felony of the third degree, alleged to have occurred
on March 23, 2017.
Count 6 – Possessing criminal tools in violation of R.C. 2923.24(A), a felony of the fifth
degree, alleged to have occurred as a continuing course of conduct from October 26,
2016 and March 23, 2017.
{¶ 15} Appellant pled not guilty to the charges and elected to proceed to a jury trial.
After hearing all the evidence and deliberating, the jury found appellant guilty as charged.
The trial court delayed sentencing in order to obtain a pre-sentence investigation.
{¶ 16} Sentencing took place on January 8, 2018. Appellant was sentenced as
follows:
Count 1, trafficking in marihuana, felony 5 – 11 months
Count 2, trafficking in marihuana, felony 5 – 11 months
Count 3, aggravated trafficking in drugs, felony 5 – 11 months
Count 4, complicity to aggravated possession of drugs, felony 4 – 9 months
Count 5, complicity to aggravated trafficking in drugs, felony 3 – 30 months
Ashland County, Case No. 18-COA-016 7
Count 6, possession of criminal tools, felony 5 – 11 months
{¶ 17} The trial court ordered appellant to serve counts 1, 2, and 6 concurrently
with each other and counts 3, 4, and 5 consecutive to all other counts for an aggregate
total of 61 months incarceration.
{¶ 18} Appellant now brings this appeal raising the following assignments of error:
I
{¶ 19} "THE COURT ERRED IN NOT MERGING THE COUNTS AT
SENTENCING, SINCE THEY ARE ALLIED OFFENSES OF SIMILAR IMPORT."
II
{¶ 20} "THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY SENTENCING BRANDON OLMSTEAD
TO AN EXCESSIVE PRISON TERM OF SIXTY ONE MONTHS, DUE TO THE
CONSECUTIVE NATURE OF THE SENTENCES."
I
{¶ 21} In his first assignment of error, appellant claims the trial court erred in not
merging offenses for sentencing purposes in violation of R.C. 2941.25. We agree in part.
{¶ 22} We review an allied offenses argument de novo. State v. Williams, 134 Ohio
St.3d 482, 2012-Ohio-5699, 983 N.E.2d 1245, ¶ 28.
{¶ 23} R.C. 2941.25 governs multiple counts and states the following:
(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.
Ashland County, Case No. 18-COA-016 8
(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.
{¶ 24} In State v. Ruff, 143 Ohio St.3d 114, 2015-Ohio-995, 34 N.E.3d 892,
syllabus, the Supreme Court of Ohio held the following:
1. In determining whether offenses are allied offenses of similar import
within the meaning of R.C. 2941.25, courts must evaluate three separate
factors—the conduct, the animus, and the import.
2. Two or more offenses of dissimilar import exist within the meaning of R.C.
2941.25(B) when the defendant's conduct constitutes offenses involving
separate victims or if the harm that results from each offense is separate
and identifiable.
3. Under R.C. 2941.25(B), a defendant whose conduct supports multiple
offenses may be convicted of all the offenses if any one of the following is
true: (1) the conduct constitutes offenses of dissimilar import, (2) the
conduct shows that the offenses were committed separately, or (3) the
conduct shows that the offenses were committed with separate animus.
{¶ 25} The Ruff court explained at ¶ 26:
Ashland County, Case No. 18-COA-016 9
At its heart, the allied-offense analysis is dependent upon the facts
of a case because R.C. 2941.25 focuses on the defendant's conduct.
The evidence at trial or during a plea or sentencing hearing will reveal
whether the offenses have similar import. When a defendant's
conduct victimizes more than one person, the harm for each person
is separate and distinct, and therefore, the defendant can be
convicted of multiple counts. Also, a defendant's conduct that
constitutes two or more offenses against a single victim can support
multiple convictions if the harm that results from each offense is
separate and identifiable from the harm of the other offense. We
therefore hold that two or more offenses of dissimilar import exist
within the meaning of R.C. 2941.25(B) when the defendant's conduct
constitutes offenses involving separate victims or if the harm that
results from each offense is separate and identifiable.
{¶ 26} Appellant argues his criminal tools conviction should have merged with a
trafficking or possession conviction. According to appellant, the cell phone and van were
used to accomplish these crimes and thus should merge. He sets forth four alternative
arguments as to how he believes his convictions should have merged as follows:
1) Count one, trafficking in marihuana and count six possession of criminal tools,
or,
Ashland County, Case No. 18-COA-016 10
2) Count four, complicity to aggravated possession of methamphetamine, count
five, complicity to aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine, and count six
possession of criminal tools, or,
3) Count four, complicity to aggravated possession of methamphetamine and
count six possession of criminal tools, or
4) Count five complicity to aggravated trafficking and count six possession of
criminal tools.
{¶ 27} But possession of criminal tools is not an allied offense of either possession
of a controlled substance or trafficking. In State v. Dammons, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.
94878, 2011-Ohio-2908, the Eighth District Court of Appeals determined that possession
of criminal tools, in that matter a cell phone, and trafficking in drugs were not allied
offenses. Dammons at ¶ 24. The court reasoned,
Here, defendant was charged with possessing money and a cell phone “with
purpose to use it criminally in the commission of a felony.” Accordingly, it
was not possible for defendant's possession of these items alone to result
in a conviction for either drug trafficking or drug possession. Similarly, his
possession of drugs did not establish a possession of criminal tools charge;
despite his convictions for drug trafficking and drug possession. E.g., State
v. Byers, Cuyahoga App. No. 94922, 2011-Ohio-342, ¶9 (“The
ubiquitousness of cell phones is such that the mere possession of a cell
phone is not ipso facto proof that it was used in drug trafficking.”)
Ashland County, Case No. 18-COA-016 11
{¶ 28} Accord State v. McDonald, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 105276, 2018-Ohio-484,
¶ 43 (possession of criminal tools is not the same conduct as trafficking or possessing
drugs); State v. Brownlee, 8th Dist. No. 2018-Ohio-3308 ¶ 13 (The drugs Brownlee sold
were not the basis for the possession of criminal tools counts) State v. Hurley, 3d Dist.
Hardin No. 6-13-02, 2014-Ohio-2716, ¶ 65, citing State v. Dammons, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga
Nos. 94878, 2011-Ohio-2908, ¶ 24.
{¶ 29} The conduct underlying the possession of criminal tools was, therefore,
separate from the conduct underlying the sale and possession of drugs for the purposes
of the Ruff analysis and we reject appellant's arguments regarding possession of criminal
tools.
{¶ 30} Appellant's first assignment of error is overruled.
II
{¶ 31} In his second assignment of error, appellant makes three arguments. He
first argues the trial court failed to comply with the mandates of R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) in
imposing consecutive sentences. He next argues his sentences are unfair,
disproportionate, and a strain on government resources. Finally, he contends his
sentence constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. We disagree.
Standard of Review
{¶ 32} In reviewing felony sentences, appellate courts must apply the standard of
review set forth in R.C. 2953.08(G)(2). State v. Marcum, 146 Ohio St.3d 516, 2016-Ohio-
1002, 59 N.E.3d 1231, ¶ 9. Under R.C. 2953.08(G)(2), an appellate court may increase,
reduce, or modify a sentence, or it may vacate the sentence and remand for resentencing,
Ashland County, Case No. 18-COA-016 12
only if it “clearly and convincingly” finds either (1) that the record does not support certain
specified findings or (2) that the sentence imposed is contrary to law.
Consecutive Sentences
{¶ 33} “In order to impose consecutive terms of imprisonment, a trial court is
required to make the findings mandated by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) at the sentencing hearing
and incorporate its findings into its sentencing entry.” State v. Bonnell, 140 Ohio St. 3d
209, 2014-Ohio-3177, ¶ 37.
{¶ 34} R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) requires a sentencing court to engage in a three-step
analysis and make certain findings before imposing consecutive sentences. Specifically,
the trial court must find that (1) the consecutive sentence is necessary to protect the public
from future crime or to punish the offender, (2) consecutive sentences are not
disproportionate to the seriousness of the offender's conduct and to the danger the
offender poses to the public, and (3) one of the following applies:
(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
Ashland County, Case No. 18-COA-016 13
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.
{¶ 35} Without pinpointing any specific failing other than perceived unfairness and
excessiveness, appellant complains the trial court failed to make the appropriate findings
pursuant to R.C. 2929.14(C)(4). We have examined the sentencing transcript in this
matter and note that the trial court meticulously complied with the requirements of R.C.
2929.14(C)(4) in imposing consecutive sentences.
{¶ 36} Having heard the evidence presented at trial, and further having a pre-
sentence investigation report to rely upon, the trial court found appellant committed one
or more of the offenses as a course of conduct, the harm of which was so great that no
single commitment adequately reflected the nature of the crime and the severity. The
court further found that consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public from
future crime, were not disproportionate to appellant's conduct and the danger he poses
to the public. The trial court additionally found appellant's lengthy history of criminal
conduct and failure to respond favorably to previously imposed community control
sanctions warranted consecutive sentences. Transcript of Sentencing at 17-20. We
therefore reject appellant's consecutive sentences complaint.
Ashland County, Case No. 18-COA-016 14
Excessive, Disproportionate Sentence
{¶ 37} Next, appellant argues the consecutive nature of his sentences renders his
sentence excessive and disproportionate. We disagree.
{¶ 38} The trial court has full discretion to impose any sentence within the
authorized statutory range, and the court is not required to make any findings or give its
reasons for imposing maximum or more than minimum sentences. See State v. Foster,
109 Ohio St.3d 1, 2006-Ohio-856, 845 N.E.2d 470, at paragraph seven of the syllabus.
However, the trial court must comply with all applicable rules and statutes, including R.C.
2929.11 and R.C. 2929.12. State v. Mathis, 109 Ohio St.3d 54, 2006-Ohio-855, 846
N.E.2d 1, ¶ 37. A sentence is not contrary to law when it is within the authorized statutory
range and the trial court states that it has considered the principles and purposes of
sentencing and the seriousness and recidivism factors. State v. Smith, 2d Dist.
Montgomery No. 26307, 2016-Ohio-1269, ¶ 25.
{¶ 39} Appellant does not dispute that his individual sentences are each within the
statutory range. The record shows that the trial court properly considered the principles
and purposes of sentencing contained in R.C. 2929.11 and the seriousness and
recidivism factors contained in R.C. 2929.12, and sentenced appellant within the
permissible range for each offense. Transcript of Sentencing 16-18.
{¶ 40} In light of the foregoing, we find the record supports the trial court's
sentencing determination. Appellant's sentence is neither excessive nor disproportionate
to his conduct.
Ashland County, Case No. 18-COA-016 15
Cruel and Unusual Punishment
{¶ 41} Last, as to appellant's Eighth Amendment argument, appellant's sentence
is not shocking to the sense of justice in the community considering appellant is a repeat
offender and has failed to respond favorably to previously imposed sanctions. As noted
above, the terms of this sentence are within the statutory range. “As a general rule, a
sentence that falls within the terms of a valid statute cannot amount to a cruel and unusual
punishment.” McDougle v. Maxwell, 1 Ohio St.2d 68, 69, 203 N.E.2d 334 (1964).
“[P]unishments which are prohibited by the Eighth Amendment are limited to torture or
other barbarous punishments, degrading punishments unknown at common law, and
punishments which are so disproportionate to the offense as to shock the moral sense of
the community.” Id. “Cruel and unusual punishments are ‘rare’ and are limited to sanctions
that under the circumstances would be shocking to any reasonable person.” State v.
Koch, 5th Dist. Knox No. 16-CA-16, 2016-Ohio-7926, ¶ 24, citing State v. Blankenship,
145 Ohio St.3d 221, 2015-Ohio-4624, 48 N.E.3d 526, ¶ 32. Appellant's sentence under
these circumstances, and based on our review of the record, is lawful, reasonable, and
appropriate.
{¶ 42} Appellant's second assignment of error is overruled.
Ashland County, Case No. 18-COA-016 16
{¶ 43} The judgement of the Ashland County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
By Wise, Earle, J.
Wise, John, P.J. and
Delaney, J. concur.
EEW/rw
[Cite as State v. Olmstead, 2018-Ohio-5301.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
STATE OF OHIO :
:
Plaintiff-Appellee :
:
-vs- : JUDGMENT ENTRY
:
DAVID E. BRANDON OLMSTEAD :
:
Defendant-Appellant : CASE NO. 18-COA-016
For the reasons stated in our accompanying Memorandum-Opinion, the judgment
of the Court of Common Pleas of Ashland County, Ohio is affirmed. Costs to appellant.