State v. Wood , 2022 Ohio 3536 ( 2022 )

[Cite as State v. Wood, 2022-Ohio-3536.]
COURT OF APPEALS
PERRY COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
STATE OF OHIO : JUDGES:
: Hon. Earle E. Wise, Jr., P.J.
Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
: Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J.
-vs- :
:
SCOTT A. WOOD : Case No. 22-CA-00002
:
Defendant-Appellant : OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Court of Common
Pleas, Case No. 21-CR-0046
JUDGMENT: Affirmed in part, vacated and
remanded in part
DATE OF JUDGMENT: September 30, 2022
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant
JOSEPH FLAUTT TODD W. BARSTOW
111 North High Street 261 West Johnstown Road
P.O. Box 569 Suite 204
New Lexington, OH 43764-0569 Columbus, OH 43230
Perry County, Case No. 22-CA-00002 2
Wise, Earle, P.J.
{¶ 1} Defendant-Appellant Scott Wood appeals the January 31, 2021 judgment
of conviction and sentence of the Common Pleas Court of Perry County, Ohio. Plaintiff-
Appellee is the state of Ohio.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
{¶ 2} This case began with the execution of a search warrant at Wood's home
located at 229 High Street in Perry County, Ohio. Lieutenant Kevin Starrett presented an
affidavit for the search warrant to Judge Dean L. Wilson of the Perry County Municipal
Court on May 10, 2021. Judge Wilson signed the warrant that day and Starrett and other
officers from Perry and Muskingum County executed the warrant the following day. The
warrant authorized officers to search for electronic devices and documents demonstrating
Wood's involvement in drug trafficking.
{¶ 3} During the execution of the search warrant, officers observed illegal drugs
and drug paraphernalia in plain view. As a result, a second search warrant was obtained
the same day to permit the officers to search for drugs and drug paraphernalia. Pursuant
to that warrant, officers located large quantities of drugs and cash in Wood's bedroom. In
a red Solo cup on top of the dresser in separate plastic baggies were 15.343 grams of
cocaine and 20.289 grams of heroin. Also on the dresser was a baggie containing 55.511
grams of methamphetamine. In a bowl on the dresser was another baggie of
methamphetamine weighing 16.311 grams. On the floor of the bedroom was a briefcase.
On top of the briefcase was a baggie containing 18.961 grams of fentanyl. On the floor
beside the briefcase was another baggie containing 36.560 grams of fentanyl. Inside the
briefcase were four baggies one containing 113.551 grams of cocaine, a second
Perry County, Case No. 22-CA-00002 3
containing 230.2 grams of methamphetamine, a third containing 35.706 grams of
methamphetamine, and the fourth containing 10.162 grams of methamphetamine. Also
inside the briefcase were insurance documents, and a court document, both bearing
Wood's name.
{¶ 4} A large amount of cash was also found in the bedroom; $2,280 in a pair of
jeans and $1,642 in the dresser. The bedroom also contained digital scales with a powder
residue on them and Mannitol, a substance used to cut drugs in order to increase profit.
In other areas of the house officers located a gas bill with the address of the home on it
and listing Wood as the account holder, and well as the deed for the home listing Wood
as the grantee.
{¶ 5} Wood was arrested and charged, but bonded out of jail on May 14, 2021.
On May 24, 2021, another search warrant was executed at Wood's home. Appellant's cell
phone was seized as well as $3,125 in cash which he had on his person. Additionally,
officers seized a digital scale, two boxes of baggies, and a baggie containing 14.616
grams of fentanyl. Wood was again taken into custody.
{¶ 6} While incarcerated, Wood made several phone calls to his father. The calls
were monitored and recorded. Wood asked his father to go to his storage unit and retrieve
the cash he had in a safe inside the unit. Wood provided his father with the unit number
and the combination to the lock. Officers subsequently searched the unit, but found no
safe. A search was therefore conducted at Wood's father's home where two safes and a
yellow trash bag, all containing cash, were located. A total of $16,541 in cash was seized
from the safes and trash bag.
{¶ 7} As a result of these events, on July 1, 2021, the Perry County Grand Jury
returned an indictment charging Wood as follows:
Perry County, Case No. 22-CA-00002 4
{¶ 8} Count One, aggravated trafficking in drugs pursuant to R.C. 2925.03(A)(2)
and (C)(1)(f), a felony of the first degree. This count contained a major drug offender
specification and a forfeiture specification.
{¶ 9} Count two, aggravated possession of drugs pursuant to R.C. 2925.11(A)
and (C)(1)(e), a felony of the first degree. This count contained a major drug offender
specification and a forfeiture specification.
{¶ 10} Count three, trafficking in cocaine pursuant to R.C. 2925.03 (A)(2) and
(C)(4)(g), a felony of the first degree. This count contained a major drug offender
specification and a forfeiture specification.
{¶ 11} Count four, possession of cocaine pursuant to R.C. 2925.11(A) and
(C)(4)(f), a felony of the first degree. This count contained a major drug offender
specification and a forfeiture specification.
{¶ 12} Count five, trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound pursuant to R.C.
2925.03(A)(2)and (C)(9)(g), a felony of the first degree. This count contained a forfeiture
specification.
{¶ 13} Count six, possession of a fentanyl-related compound pursuant to R.C.
2925.11(A) and (C)(11)(f), a felony of the first degree. This count contained a forfeiture
specification.
{¶ 14} Count seven, trafficking in heroin pursuant to R.C. 2925.03(A)(2)and
(C)(6)(e), a felony of the second degree. This count contained a forfeiture specification.
{¶ 15} Count eight, possession of heroin pursuant to R.C. 2925.11(A) and
(C)(6)(d), a felony of the second degree. This count contained a forfeiture specification.
Perry County, Case No. 22-CA-00002 5
{¶ 16} Count nine, trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound pursuant to R.C.
2925.03(A)(2) and (C)(9)(g)(e), a felony of the second degree. This count contained a
forfeiture specification.
{¶ 17} Count ten, possession of a fentanyl-related compound pursuant to R.C.
2925.11(A) and (C)(11)(d), a felony of the second degree. This count contained a
forfeiture specification.
{¶ 18} Count eleven, money laundering pursuant to R.C. 1315.55(A)(2), a felony
of the third degree. This count contained a forfeiture specification.
{¶ 19} Wood entered pleas of not guilty to the charges. He filed numerous pro-se
motions including a motion to suppress based on the May 10 and 11, 2021 search
warrants. Counsel also filed a motion to suppress based on the May 10, 2021 search
warrant. A hearing was held on the matter on December 15, 2021. The trial court denied
both motions.
{¶ 20} On January 24, 2022 the matter proceeded to a jury trial. The state elicited
the above outlined evidence. Additionally, the state presented testimony from Nickolas
Sarvey, an admitted felon, drug user and drug dealer. Sarvey testified he routinely
purchased fentanyl and methamphetamine from Wood and did so in May of 2021 after
Wood bonded out of jail. On that occasion Sarvey purchased a half pound of
methamphetamine and an ounce of fentanyl. He stated Wood retrieved the drugs from a
bag inside a closet in his bedroom. Sarvey testified received no incentive for his
testimony.
{¶ 21} Wood rested without presenting evidence.
{¶ 22} After hearing the evidence and deliberating, the jury convicted Wood as
charged and found sufficient evidence to enter a forfeiture of the property described in
Perry County, Case No. 22-CA-00002 6
the forfeiture specifications. Wood was subsequently sentenced to an aggregate prison
term of 50 to 55 years including enhanced penalties for the major drug offender
specifications.
{¶ 23} Wood filed an appeal and the matter is now before this court for
consideration. He raises four assignments of error for our consideration as follow:
I
{¶ 24} "THE TRIAL COURT ERRED AND DEPRIVED APPELLANT OF DUE
PROCESS OF LAW AS GUARANTEED BY THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT TO THE
UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND ARTICLE ONE SECTION TEN OF THE OHIO
CONSTITUTION BY FINDING HIM GUILTY OF AGGRAVATED TRAFFICKING IN
DRUGS; AGGRAVATED POSSESSION OF DRUGS; TRAFFICKING IN DRUGS;
POSSESSION OF DRUGS; TRAFFICKING IN FENTANYL-RELATED COMPOUND;
POSSESSION OF FENTANYL RELATED COMPOUND; AND MONEY LAUNDERING
AS THOSE VERDICTS WERE NOT SUPPORTED BY SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE AND
WERE ALSO AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE."
II
{¶ 25} "THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF THE APPELLANT
BY IMPOSING ADDITIONAL PRISON TERMS FOR BEING A MAJOR DRUG
OFFENDER."
III
{¶ 26} "THE TRIAL ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF APPELLANT BY
OVERRULING HIS MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE."
Perry County, Case No. 22-CA-00002 7
IV
{¶ 27} "THE TRIAL COURT SENTENCED APPELLANT TO INDEFINITE TERMS
OF INCARCERATION PURSUANT TO A STATUTORY SCHEME THAT VIOLATES
APPELLANT’S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS OF LAW AS
GUARANTEED BY THE UNITED STATES AND OHIO CONSTITUTIONS."
I
{¶ 28} In his first assignment of error, Wood argues his convictions are against the
manifest weight and sufficiency of the evidence. We disagree.
{¶ 29} On review for sufficiency, a reviewing court is to examine the evidence at
trial to determine whether such evidence, if believed, would support a conviction. State v.
Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991). "The relevant inquiry is whether, after
viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact
could have found the essential elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt."
Jenks at paragraph two of the syllabus, following Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 99
S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979). On review for manifest weight, a reviewing court is to
examine the entire record, weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider
the credibility of witnesses and determine "whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence,
the jury clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the
conviction must be reversed and a new trial ordered." State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d
172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717 (1st Dist.1983). See also, State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d
380, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997). The granting of a new trial "should be exercised only in the
exceptional case in which the evidence weighs heavily against the conviction." Martin at
175.
Perry County, Case No. 22-CA-00002 8
{¶ 30} Although titled as a challenge to the sufficiency and manifest weight of the
evidence, Wood does not argue the state failed to prove any one element of any of the
charged offenses. Instead, Wood makes a one-paragraph argument challenging only the
credibility of the state's evidence. Specifically, Wood points out the state presented no
evidence of DNA or finger prints on any of the items seized from his home, no evidence
of unusual activity at the home, or of any controlled buys from the home. Wood
additionally points out the state presented testimony from Nicolas Sarvey, a convicted
felon, drug user, and drug dealer.
{¶ 31} But neither finger prints nor DNA evidence is required to support a
conviction for any criminal act. Likewise, neither controlled buys nor evidence of unusual
activity are required to support a conviction for trafficking offenses. As to the testimony of
Sarvey, it is well established that the credibility of a witness is a matter for the trier of fact
to sort out. A jury is free to believe all, part or none of the testimony of each witness. See
State v. Antill, 176 Ohio St. 61, 67, 197 N.E.2d 548 (1964). Upon review, we find no
evidence in the record to support a finding that the jury lost its way in making its credibility
determinations.
{¶ 32} The first assignment of error is overruled.
II
{¶ 33} In his second assignment of error, Wood argues the trial court erred in
sentencing him as a major drug offender on counts 1, 2, 3, and 4. These counts alleged
trafficking and possession of methamphetamine and cocaine. At sentencing the trial court
merged count 1 with count 2 and count 3 with count 4. The state elected to proceed to
sentencing on counts 2 and 3. Wood was sentenced to 11 years on each count, and also
Perry County, Case No. 22-CA-00002 9
received an additional 3 years on each count for the major drug offender specifications
attendant to each count for an additional 6 years of incarceration.
{¶ 34} Wood argues that while he is subject to the 11-year sentence as a major
drug offender, he is not subject to the additional 3-year terms imposed by the trial court
pursuant to R.C. 2941.1410. Wood argues these additional terms are applicable only to
offenses involving fentanyl-related compounds. The state agrees and concedes this
argument. Wood's second assignment of error is therefore sustained. Wood's sentence
is vacated and the matter is remanded for a new sentencing hearing.
III
{¶ 35} In his third assignment of error, Wood argues the trial court erred in
overruling his motion to suppress because the information contained in the affidavit was
stale. We disagree.
Standard of Review
{¶ 36} As stated by the Supreme Court of Ohio in State v. Leak, 145 Ohio St.3d
165, 2016-Ohio-154, 47 N.E.3d 821, ¶ 12:
"Appellate review of a motion to suppress presents a mixed question
of law and fact." State v. Burnside, 100 Ohio St.3d 152, 2003-Ohio-
5372, 797 N.E.2d 71, ¶ 8. In ruling on 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." Id., citing State v. Mills, 62 Ohio St.3d 357, 366, 582
N.E.2d 972 (1992). On appeal, we "must accept the trial court's
findings of fact if they are supported by competent, credible
Perry County, Case No. 22-CA-00002 10
evidence." Id., citing State v. Fanning, 1 Ohio St.3d 19, 20, 437
N.E.2d 583 (1982). Accepting those facts as true, we must then
"independently determine as a matter of law, without deference to
the conclusion of the trial court, whether the facts satisfy the
applicable legal standard." Id.{¶ 37} As the United States Supreme Court held in Ornelas v. U.S., 517 U.S. 690,
116 S.Ct. 1657, 1663, 134 L.Ed.2d 94 (1996), "…as a general matter determinations of
reasonable suspicion and probable cause should be reviewed de novo on appeal."
Search Warrants in General
{¶ 38} The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Section 14,
Article I, Ohio Constitution, prohibit the government from conducting unreasonable
searches and seizures of persons or their property. Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 88 S.Ct.
1868, 20 L.Ed.2d 889 (1968); State v. Andrews, 57 Ohio St.3d 86, 87, 565 N.E.2d 1271(1991). In determining the sufficiency of probable cause in an affidavit submitted for a
search warrant, a trial judge or magistrate must make a practical, common-sense decision
whether, given all the circumstances set forth in the affidavit, 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. George,
45 Ohio St.3d 325, 544 N.E.2d 640, at paragraph one of the syllabus (1980), citing Illinois
v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213, 238-239, 103 S.Ct. 2317, 76 L.Ed.2d 527 (1983). As a reviewing
court, we must accord great deference to the issuing judge's determination of probable
cause. See George, at paragraph two of the syllabus. Doubtful or marginal cases should
be resolved in favor of upholding the warrant. Id. The totality of the circumstances must
Perry County, Case No. 22-CA-00002 11
be examined in determining whether probable cause existed for a search warrant. Illinois
v. Gates, supra. “Probable cause” means only the probability and not a prima facie
showing of criminal activity. George, supra, at 644. See, also, Beck v. Ohio, 379 U.S. 89,
85 S.Ct. 223, 13 L.Ed.2d 142 (1964).
Staleness
{¶ 39} "There is no arbitrary time limit that dictates when information [offered to
support a search warrant application] becomes stale." State v. Ingold, 10th Dist. Franklin
No. 07-AP648, 2008-Ohio-2303. Rather, "[t]he test for staleness is whether the alleged
facts justify the conclusion that contraband is probably on the person or premises to be
searched at the time the warrant issues." Id. "The question of staleness is not measured
solely by counting the days between the events listed in the affidavit and the application
for warrant." Id. at 23. "Ohio courts have identified a number of factors to consider in
determining whether the information contained in an affidavit is stale, including the
character of the crime, the criminal, the thing to be seized, as in whether it is perishable,
the place to be searched, and whether the affidavit relates to a single isolated incident or
ongoing criminal activity." Id.
{¶ 40} Particularly relevant here, when an affidavit supporting a warrant involves
ongoing criminal activity like drug trafficking, the affidavit may support the issuance of a
search warrant even when the information provided in the affidavit is not recent. State v.
Stewart, 5th Dist. Perry No. 21-CA-00008, 2021-Ohio-4444 ¶ 15 citing United States v.
Ortiz, 143 F.3d 728, 733 (2d Cir. 1998), and United States v. Martino, 664 F.2d 860, 867
(2d Cir. 1981) ("[W]hen the supporting facts 'present a picture of continuing conduct or an
ongoing activity, ... the passage of time between the last described act and the
presentation of the application becomes less significant.' ")
Perry County, Case No. 22-CA-00002 12
{¶ 41} For example, information in an affidavit over one month old has been found
to support probable cause to issue a search warrant where the affidavit describes ongoing
criminal activity. See, e.g., State v. Clouser, 4th Dist. Highland No. 16CA4, 2016-Ohio-
5370, 2016 WL 4268772, ¶ 16-17 (two and one-half months between last incidents of
drug transactions and warrant application not stale and supported probable cause); State
v. Prater, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2001-12-114, 2002-Ohio-4487, 2002 WL 2005708, ¶
10-14 (six months between last drug transactions and warrant application not stale and
supported probable cause).
{¶ 42} In the instant matter, the information provided in the affidavit demonstrated
Wood had been engaged in ongoing criminal activity for several years. Affiant, Lieutenant
Kevin Starrett, indicated (1) On July 2, 2019, Wood was in a vehicle where four grams of
methamphetamine was found; (2) On October 5, 2020, Wood sold a confidential
informant (CI) half an ounce of methamphetamine; (3) the same CI indicated Wood had
been routinely providing him with between one quarter and one half ounce of
methamphetamine and the CI had seen Wood in possession of approximately one pound
of methamphetamine around the time of the controlled buy; (4) On November 2, 2020,
Todd Wolfe, Wood's girlfriend's uncle, advised Starrett that Wood had been providing
methamphetamine to his drug-addicted niece; (5) information from a cell phone seized in
a separate matter in February of 2021, demonstrated Wood was selling
methamphetamine in January of 2021; (6) records obtained from Wood's Facebook
account indicated he was involved in drug trafficking between July and December of
2020; (7) On April 30, 2021, a CI indicated Wood purchased a home at 229 High Street
in Roseville, Ohio, that he lived there with his girlfriend, and that he was in possession of
a large quantity of methamphetamine which he stored at the High Street home; (8) Starrett
Perry County, Case No. 22-CA-00002 13
confirmed Wood owned the home at 229 High Street and Deputy Josh Conrad observed
Wood and his girlfriend at the home. May 10, 2021 search warrant at ¶ 3-9, 13-14. The
warrant was executed on May 11, 2021
{¶ 43} The forgoing establishes a lengthy, ongoing investigation of drug activity
before the warrant application. The newest information provided by the affiant regarding
potential drug trafficking was only 10 days old. We find the trial court did not err in finding
the information was not stale, and supported probable cause.
{¶ 44} The third assignment of error is overruled.
IV
{¶ 45} In his final assignment of error, Wood argues his indefinite sentence,
imposed pursuant to the Reagan Tokes Act, is a violation of his constitutional right to trial
by jury, equal protection and due process of law, and further violates the constitutional
requirement of separation of powers by permitting the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation
and Corrections to potentially add additional time to his sentence based upon his behavior
in the institution. We disagree.
{¶ 46} Recently, in State v. Householder, 5th Dist. Muskingum No. CT2021-0026,
2022-Ohio-1542, we set forth this Court's position on Wood's arguments:
For the reasons stated in the dissenting opinion of The Honorable W.
Scott Gwin in State v. Wolfe, 5th Dist. Licking No. 2020CA00021,
2020-Ohio-5501, we find the Reagan Tokes Law does not violate
Appellant's constitutional rights to trial by jury and due process of
law, and does not violate the constitutional requirement of separation
of powers. We hereby adopt the dissenting opinion in Wolfe as the
Perry County, Case No. 22-CA-00002 14
opinion of this Court. In so holding, we also note the sentencing law
has been found constitutional by the Second, Third, Sixth, and
Twelfth Districts, and also by the Eighth District sitting en banc. See,
e.g., State v. Ferguson, 2nd Dist. Montgomery No. 28644, 2020-
Ohio-4153; State v. Hacker, 3rd Dist. Logan No. 8-20-01, 2020-Ohio-
5048; State v. Maddox, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-19-1253, 2022-Ohio-
1350; State v. Guyton, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2019-12-203, 2020-
Ohio-3837; State v. Delvallie, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 109315, 2022-
Ohio-470. Further, we reject Appellant's claim the Reagan Tokes Act
violates equal protection for the reasons stated in State v. Hodgkin,
12th Dist. Warren No. CA2020-08-048, 2021-Ohio-1353.
{¶ 47} Based on the forgoing authority, Wood's final assignment of error is
overruled.
Perry County, Case No. 22-CA-00002 15
{¶ 48} The judgment of the Perry County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed in
part and vacated in part.
By Wise, Earle, P.J.
Delaney, J. and
Baldwin, J. concur.
EEW/rw
[Cite as State v. Wood, 2022-Ohio-3536.]