State of Tennessee v. Phyllis Ann Amos ( 2009 )

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT KNOXVILLE
April 29, 2008 Session
STATE OF TENNESSEE v. PHYLLIS ANN AMOS
Direct Appeal from the Criminal Court for Sullivan County
No. S52, 056 Robert H. Montgomery, Jr., Judge
No. E2007-01869-CCA-R3-CD - Filed June 10, 2009
Defendant, Phyllis Ann Amos, entered pleas of guilty to possession of marijuana, a Class E felony;
possession of 0.5 grams or more of cocaine, a Class B felony; maintaining a dwelling where
controlled substances are kept or sold, a Class D felony; possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class
A misdemeanor; and felony possession of dihydrocodone, a Class D felony. In accordance with the
negotiated plea agreement, Defendant accepted concurrent sentences of eleven months, twenty-nine
days for her misdemeanor conviction, one year for her Class E felony conviction, two years for each
Class D felony conviction, and ten years for her Class B felony conviction. The felony sentences
are as a Range I, standard offender. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court imposed the
agreed upon sentences and ordered Defendant to serve her sentences in confinement. On appeal,
Defendant argues that the trial court erred in refusing to grant alternative sentencing. After a
thorough review of the record, the judgments of the trial court are affirmed.
Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgments of the Criminal Court Affirmed
THOMAS T. WOODALL , J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which JOSEPH M. TIPTON , P.J., and
ALAN E. GLENN , J., joined.
Whitney P. Taylor, Kingsport, Tennessee, for the appellant, Phyllis Ann Amos.
Robert J. Cooper, Jr, Attorney General and Reporter; Cameron L. Hyder, Assistant Attorney
General; H. Greeley Wells, District Attorney General; and Kent Chitwood, Assistant District
Attorney General, for the appellee, the State of Tennessee.
OPINION
I. Background
At the guilty plea submission hearing, the State presented the following factual basis in
support of Defendant’s pleas of guilty:
[O]n October 22, 2005 at approximately 11 p.m. the Second Judicial Drug Task
Force executed a search warrant at [Defendant’s residence]. The reason for the
execution of the search warrant at that residence was because in days and weeks
leading up to that date the Task Force had executed or engaged in five separate
controlled buys for large amounts of cocaine from that residence. They confirmed
that it was in fact the defendant, Ms. Amos, that resided at that residence. On each
occasion her vehicle was the only vehicle at that residence. Upon making entry into
the residence the Task Force located the defendant who stated that it was her
residence and that no one else lived with her. In searching the residence the Task
Force located several baggies of an off-white powdery substance and a large bag of
green leafy plant material. They believed that to be cocaine and marijuana
respectively. They also located some Schedule IV controlled substance, pills, that
she did not have a prescription for. They also located large amounts of United States
currency. The drugs were sent off to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for
analysis. It came back positive for 35 tablets of dihydrocodone, four tablets of
dihydrocodone, 841.9 grams of marijuana, 392.7 grams of cocaine for one exhibit,
48.7 grams of cocaine from another exhibit. They located numerous separate bags
of currency and the way the bags were bundled was also very incriminating. For
example one bag contained 11 separate bundles of United States currency all bundled
in $850.00 incriminates [sic]. Another, there’s a Liz Claiborne purse which had 25
separate bundles of currency, each bundle was in $1000.00 incriminates [sic]. Total
amount of United States currency seized from the residence was $54,031.76.
At the sentencing hearing, the State relied on the presentence report which was introduced
as an exhibit without objection. Defendant did not offer any evidence at the sentencing hearing.
According to the presentence report, Defendant was sixty years old at the time of the
sentencing hearing. Defendant was born in Russell County, Virginia, and completed the eighth
grade. Defendant stated that both her grades and attendance were “poor.” Defendant said that she
dropped out of school because her mother had moved to Bristol, Tennessee, and her father was
frequently absent from the home due to his job with the railroad company. Defendant is currently
divorced, and she has four adult children. Defendant has no prior record of criminal convictions.
Defendant reported that she suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Defendant has held several long-term employment positions in the past, but she has been unable to
work since 2003 because of her health, and she receives disability benefits. Defendant reported
occasional use of alcohol but stated that she had not used illegal drugs or medication for which she
did not have a prescription.
Defendant declined to give a written statement during the preparation of the presentence
report, but she additionally told the probation officer, “I am so sorry about my involvement with any
kind of illegal substance. I am so ashamed that I lost my right to vote. That was so important to
me.”
-2-
The trial court found that Defendant had a history of prior criminal behavior based on the
discovery of $54,031.76 and the drugs in her home when she was arrested for the current charges.
The trial court noted that in the presentence report, Defendant had listed few financial assets, was
on disability, and reported $5,000.00 in credit card debt. The trial court reasoned, “Finding a
significant amount of money that you have and the significant amount of drugs that you have in my
opinion there’s only one conclusion that you can draw from that, and that is that money was
possessed either to purchase more or it was money that you received as a result of selling it, both of
which are crimes.”
Pursuant to the plea agreement, the judge sentenced Defendant to an effective sentence of
ten years. Defendant requested alternative sentencing, and following a sentencing hearing, the trial
court denied that request and ordered Defendant to serve the ten-year sentence incarcerated.
II. Analysis
Defendant contends that the trial court erred in ordering her sentence to be served in the
Department of Correction rather than on probation or on community corrections under the “special
needs” provision. On appeal, the party challenging the sentence imposed by the trial court has the
burden of establishing that the sentence is improper. See T.C.A. § 40-35-401, Sentencing Comm’n
Comments; see also State v. Arnett, 49 S.W.3d 250, 257 (Tenn. 2001). When a defendant challenges
the length, range, or manner of service of a sentence, it is the duty of this Court to conduct a de novo
review on the record with a presumption that the determinations made by the court form which the
appeal is taken are correct. T.C.A. § 40-35-401(d). This presumption of correction, however, “‘is
conditioned upon the affirmative showing in the record that the trial court considered the sentencing
principles and all relevant facts and circumstances.’” State v. Carter, 254 S.W.3d 335, 344-45
(Tenn. 2008) (quoting State v. Ashby, 823 S.W.2d 166, 169 Tenn. 1991)). “If, however, the trial
court applies inappropriate mitigating and/or enhancement factors or otherwise fails to follow the
Sentencing Act, the presumption of correctness fails,” and our review is de novo. Carter, 254
S.W.3d at 345 (quoting State v. Shelton, 854 S.W.2d 116, 123 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1002); State v.
Pierce, 138 S.W.3d 820, 827 (Tenn. 2004)).
In conducting a de novo review of a sentence, this Court must consider (a) the evidence
adduced at the trial and the sentencing hearing; (b) the presentence report; (c) the principles of
sentencing and arguments as to sentencing alternatives; (d) the nature and characteristics of the
criminal conduct involved; (e) evidence and information offered by the parties on the enhancement
and mitigating factors set forth in Tennessee Code Annotated sections 40-35-113 and 40-35-114;
(f) any statistical information provided by the Administrative Office of the Courts as to Tennessee
sentencing practices for similar offenses; and (g) any statement the defendant wishes to make in the
defendant’s own behalf about sentencing. T.C.A. § 40-35-210(b); see also Carter, 254 S.W.3d at
343; State v. Imfeld, 70 S.W.3d 698, 704 (Tenn. 2002).
Effective June 7, 2005, our legislature amended Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-35-
102(6) by deleting the statutory presumption that a defendant who is convicted of a Class C, D, or
E felony, as a mitigated or standard offender, is a favorable candidate for alternative sentencing. Our
sentencing law now provides that a defendant who does not possess a criminal history showing a
-3-
clear disregard for society’s laws and morals, who has not failed past rehabilitation efforts, and who
“is an especially mitigated or standard offender convicted of a Class C, D or E felony, should be
considered as a favorable candidate for alternative sentencing options in the absence of evidence to
the contrary. T.C.A. § 40-35-102(5), (6) (emphasis added). Additionally, a trial court is “not bound”
by the advisory sentencing guidelines; rather it “shall consider” them. Id. § 40-35-102(6).
As of June 7, 2005, no longer is any defendant entitled to a presumption that he or she is a
favorable candidate for probation. Carter, 254 S.W.3d at 347. Generally, defendants classified as
Range II or Range III offenders are not to be considered as favorable candidates for alternative
sentencing. T.C.A. § 40-35-102(6). In determining whether to deny alternative sentencing and
impose a sentence of total confinement, the trial court must consider if:
(A) Confinement is necessary to protect society by restraining a defendant who has
a long history of criminal conduct;
(B) Confinement is necessary to avoid depreciating the seriousness of the offense or
confinement is particularly suited to provide an effective deterrence to others likely
to commit similar offenses; or
(C) Measures less restrictive than confinement have frequently or recently been
applied unsuccessfully to the defendant....
T.C.A. § 40-35-103(1); see also Carter, 254 S.W.3d at 347. Additionally, the principles of
sentencing reflect that the sentence should be no greater than that deserved for the offense committed
and should be the least severe measure necessary to achieve the purposes for which the sentence is
imposed. T.C.A. § 40-35-103(2), (4). The court should also consider the defendant’s potential for
rehabilitation or treatment in determining the appropriate sentence.
The determination of entitlement to full probation necessarily requires a separate inquiry
from that of determining whether a defendant is entitled to a less beneficent alternative sentence.
See State v. Bingham, 910 S.W.2d 448, 455 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1995), overruled on other grounds
by State v. Hooper, 29 S.W.3d 1, 9-10 (Tenn. 2000). A defendant is required to establish his
suitability for full probation as distinguished from his favorable candidacy for alternative sentencing
in general. State v. Mounger, 7 S.W.3d 70, 78 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1999); see T.C.A. 40-35-303(b)
(2006); Bingham, 910 S.W.2d at 455-56. A defendant seeking full probation bears the burden of
showing that probation will subserve the ends of justice and the best interest of both the public and
the defendant. State v. Dykes, 803 S.W.2d 250, 259 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1990), overruled on other
grounds by Hooper, 29 S.W.3d at 9. As the Sentencing Commission points out, “even though
probation must be automatically considered as a sentencing option for eligible defendants, the
defendant is not automatically entitled to probation as a matter of law.” Id. § 40-35-303, Sentencing
Comm’n Cmts.
In the instant case, Defendant was convicted of a Class B felony therefore, she should not
be considered a favorable candidate for alternative sentencing. Nonetheless, she remains eligible
-4-
for an alternative sentence because her sentences were ten years or less and the offenses for which
she was convicted are not specifically excluded by statute. T.C.A. §§ 40-35-102(6), -303(a).
The trial court found that Defendant lacked genuine, sincere remorse for committing the
offenses in this case. The court also applied two enhancement factors in order to justify the denial
of probation. The trial court determined that the amount of currency and drugs showed continuous
criminal conduct by Defendant. See T.C.A. § 40-35-114(1),(2). The trial court then determined that
Defendant was the leader in the commission of the offense involving two or more criminal actors.
The record in this case supports the trial court’s findings. Officers found 39 tablets of
dihydrocodone, 841.9 grams of marijuana, and 441.4 grams of cocaine in Defendant’s home. They
also seized $54,031.76 from the residence. The currency was in bundles in numerous bags. For
example, one bag contained eleven separate bundles of United States currency all bundled in
$850.00 increments. A Liz Claiborne purse had twenty-five separate bundles of currency, and each
bundle was in $1000.00 increments. Additionally, there was proof in the record that the confidential
informant in this case purchased drugs from Raymond Hilliard, who purchased drugs from
Defendant.
The trial court also weighed the mitigating factors in Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-
35-113 and determined that none applied to Defendant. The trial court did acknowledge and gave
some weight to Defendant’s lack of criminal history as well as her work history prior to becoming
disabled. After weighing all the factors, the trial court concluded that Defendant should serve her
sentence in confinement and that probation was not appropriate.
Given the amount of drugs and money found at Defendant’s residence, the ongoing criminal
conduct by Defendant, and the Defendant’s lack of sincere remorse, we conclude that the trial court
did not abuse its discretion in denying probation. Accordingly, Defendant is not entitled to relief
as to this issue.
Defendant also argues that the trial court erred in not sentencing her to community
corrections, which is a form of alternative sentencing, under the “special needs” provision because
of her age and various health problems. Pursuant to statute, offenders who satisfy the following
minimum criteria are eligible for participation in a community corrections program:
(A) Persons who, without this option, would be incarcerated in a correctional
institution;
(B) Persons who are convicted of property-related, or drug- or alcohol-related felony
offenses or other felony offenses not involving crimes against the person as provided
in title 39, chapter 13, parts 1-5;
(C) Persons who are convicted of nonviolent felony offenses;
(D) Persons who are convicted of felony offenses in which the use or possession of
a weapon was not involved;
-5-
(E) Persons who do not demonstrate a present or past pattern of behavior indicating
violence;
(F) Persons who do not demonstrate a pattern of committing violent offenses [.]
T.C.A. § 40-36-106(a). Section (c) of this same statute, which is sometimes referred to as the
“special needs” provision, states:
Felony offenders not otherwise eligible under subsection (a), and who would be
usually considered unfit for probation due to histories of chronic alcohol, drug abuse,
or mental health problems, but whose special needs are treatable and could be served
best in the community rather than a correctional institution, may be considered
eligible for punishment in the community under the provisions of this chapter.
In other words, felons not otherwise eligible under the criteria of subsection (a) are eligible under
subsection (c) of Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-36-106 if they are unfit for probation due
to a history of chronic alcohol or drug abuse or mental health problems, but their special needs are
better treatable in a community corrections program than in incarceration. An offender must also be
eligible, but generally unfit for probation in order to qualify for a community corrections sentence
under subsection (c). State v. Staten, 787 S.W.2d 934, 936 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1989); State v.
George C. Peery, III, No. E2008-00086-CCA-R3-CD, 2009 WL 537064, at *4 (Tenn. Crim. App.,
at Knoxville, Mar. 4, 2009).
However, even though an offender meets the requirements for eligibility for community
corrections, he or she is not automatically entitled to such relief. State v. Ball, 973 S.W.2d 288, 294
(Tenn. Crim. App. 1998); State v. Taylor, 744 S.W.2d 919, 922 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1987). Rather,
the statute provides that the criteria shall be interpreted as minimum standards to guide a trial court’s
determination of whether that offender is eligible for community corrections. T.C.A. § 40-36-
106(d).
The record in this case indicates that the 60-year-old Defendant has some health problems.
However, we are not persuaded that her age and medical conditions qualify her for community
corrections under the special needs provision. She has failed to prove that her special needs could
be better met in a community corrections setting as opposed to an incarcerative one. Despite the fact
that Defendant has some health concerns, she was running a fairly sizeable drug business out of her
home. As noted above, officers found 39 tablets of dihydrocodone, 841.9 grams of marijuana, and
441.4 grams of cocaine in Defendant’s home. They also seized $54,031.76 from the residence. At
the sentencing hearing the trial court noted that the State had already taken Defendant’s age and
health concerns into consideration by agreeing to a 10-year sentence.
Consequently, we affirm the judgment of the trial court ordering Defendant to serve her
sentence in incarceration.
CONCLUSION
-6-
For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
___________________________________
THOMAS T. WOODALL, JUDGE
-7-