State of Washington v. Rigoberto G. Sanchez ( 2016 )

FILED
JANUARY 21, 2016
In the Office ofthe Clerk of Court
WA State Court of Appeals, Division III
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION THREE
STATE OF WASHINGTON, )
) No. 32637-3-III
Respondent, )
)
v. )
)
RIGOBERTO G. SANCHEZ, ) UNPUBLISHED OPINION
)
Appellant. )
SIDDOWAY, C.J. Rigoberto Sanchez appeals his 84-month exceptional sentence
for a single delivery of a controlled substance, which a jury found to be a major
"violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act" (VUCSA), chapter 69.50 RCW.
The State had given notice of its intent to seek an exceptional sentence, stating in error
that it would seek consecutive sentencing. Mr. Sanchez argues that the State is bound by
its representation and that the trial court erred in treating the notice as a basis for the
State's later request that the court impose a sentence outside the standard range, allowing
the notice to be amended, and proceeding to conduct a jury trial on the "major VUCSA."
He also challenges the trial court's giving of a jury instruction that he claims omits an
element of the major VUCSA aggravator, and the court's imposition of a $3,000
methamphetamine cleanup assessment fine that he contends the court mistakenly
believed was mandatory.
No. 32637-3-III
State v. Sanchez
Mr. Sanchez argued in the trial court that the cleanup assessment fine was not
mandatory as applied to him, and demonstrates that the court failed to recognize its
discretion when it imposed the fine. We find no other error or abuse of discretion and
remand for the limited purpose of resentencing for legal financial obligations.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Rigoberto Sanchez was arrested immediately following the conduct of a controlled
buy of 412.69 grams of high quality methamphetamine-almost a pound's worth-which
the informant had purchased for $7,600. Police stopped Mr. Sanchez and his
codefendant, Jose Rivera, after they left the buyer's Clarkston home. In a search incident
to the arrest, the officers found the $7,600 in pre-recorded bills in Mr. Sanchez's coat
pocket.
The State charged Mr. Sanchez with one count of delivery of a controlled
substance (methamphetamine) in violation ofRCW 69.50AOl(2)(b) and on the same day,
filed a notice of its intent to seek an exceptional sentence. Although Mr. Sanchez was
only charged with a single offense, the notice stated that the State "intends to seek an
exceptional sentence in the above matter, and will argue for the sentences on eachfolony
conviction in this case to be ordered consecutive to each other." Clerk's Papers (CP) at
13 (emphasis added). The notice disclosed that the basis for the State's request for an
exceptional sentence "may be found in RCW 9.94A.535(3)(e)" and that it alleged "that
the offense charged against the Defendant was a major violation of the Uniform
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Controlled Substance Act, chapter 69.50 RCW, relating to trafficking in controlled
substances, which was more onerous that [sic] the typical offense of its statutory
definition." [d.
Mr. Sanchez's trial lawyer recognized the anomaly in the State's notice of intent to
seek an exceptional sentence and recommended a "quick plea" strategy, to be acted upon
before the State could amend its notice. At a hearing on March 24, Mr. Sanchez's lawyer
informed the court that he had been unable to reach an agreement with the State, doubted
that one could be reached, and that Mr. Sanchez wanted to change his plea to guilty.
Before the court could accept the plea, the following exchange occurred:
[PROSECUTOR]:-Andjust for my curiosity will he be pleading
gUilty to the charge and the admitting to or acknowledging the, ah, special
allegation or will-will--cause ifnot, we'll still need a jury trial for the
allegation--the special allegation regarding the exceptional sentence basis.
[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: We're pleading guilty to the (inaudible).
If I may approach I have (inaudible)?
THE JUDGE: Yes, Counsel.
[PROSECUTOR]: And, again, the State still has the right to put on
their case ifhe's not waiving jury as to the, ah, an exceptional sentence
basis. The State still has the right pursuant to the notice we filed to put on
the exceptional sentence basis before a jury. He can-he can always plead
to the information, but he can't necessarily short-circuit the State's right to
seek an exceptional sentence by doing so.
THE JUDGE: Looks like I will be having a hearing on that doesn't
it.
Report of Proceedings (RP) at 17-18.
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Arrangements were made to transport Mr. Sanchez to court that day for entry of
the plea. When he arrived at court, the process of changing his plea proceeded, and the
prosecutor again raised the aggravating factor:
[PROSECUTOR]: Last, 1 want to make sure that Mr. Sanchez
understands that the State is proceeding with the, ah, aggravating factor
regarding major violation of the violation of the [U]niform [C]ontrolled
[S]ubstance [A]ct and specifically, the, ah--ah, statement on plea
references that the Court can impose an exceptional sentence, ah, if the
State proves beyond a reasonable doubt and has given notice, ah--ah, if we
have proven beyond a reasonable doubt the factual basis for an exceptional
sentence to the satisfaction ofajury or a judge ifhe waives ajury.
[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: What the Prosecutor has stated­
[PROSECUTOR]:-And the State does intend to seek that­
[DEFENSE COUNSEL]:-was that it filed a document which states,
ah, that it intends to seek a sentence which is outside the standard range.
Do you recall us talking about that in jail?
MR. SANCHEZ: (Inaudible).
[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Is that a yes?
THE JUDGE: Pull the mike closer to your client, please.
[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: You need to make sure that you speak
up-­
MR. SANCHEZ:-Yes­
[DEFENSE COUNSEL]:---{lice and loud, Mr. Sanchez, because
everything that's going on here today is being recorded.
MR. SANCHEZ: Yes, Your Honor.
[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: We need to make sure that they have a
good record. So, are you aware that the State has, ah, filed a document that
states that they intend to seek a sentence outside ofthe standard range?
MR. SANCHEZ: Yes.
[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: All right.
RP at 20-22 (emphasis added).
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Mr. Sanchez then entered a Newton' plea. Because his lawyer indicated that Mr.
Sanchez might also waive a jury trial, the trial court postponed setting a date for trial on
the aggravating circumstance until April 14.
At the April 14 scheduling hearing, Mr. Sanchez objected to empaneling a jury
and requested immediate sentencing. The State responded that it was not abandoning its
request for an exceptional sentence, and therefore the case should not proceed to
sentencing unless Mr. Sanchez waived his right to a jury trial under Blakely v.
Washington, 542 U.S. 296, 124 S. Ct. 2531, 159 L. Ed. 2d 403 (2004). It is apparent
from the transcript that the lawyers were aware of some dispute over whether Mr.
Sanchez's entry of a plea entitled him to immediate sentencing and both requested the
opportunity to file briefing, which the court granted.
Defense briefing filed thereafter argued that Mr. Sanchez had not received
adequate notice of the State's intent to seek an exceptional sentence because the
"requested sentence was for consecutive sentencing," and consecutive sentences cannot
be imposed where a single offense is charged. CP at 44. Upon receiving the defense
brief, the State immediately filed an "Amended Notice of Intent to Seek Exceptional
Sentence," which stated the State "will argue for the sentences on a felony conviction in
I State v. Newton, 87 Wn.2d 363,552 P.2d 682 (1976) (following N. Carolina v.
Alford, 400 U.S. 25,36,91 S. Ct. 160,27 L. Ed. 2d 162 (1970) in holding that a
defendant may take advantage of a plea opportunity without acknowledging guilt).
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No. 32637-3-III
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this case to be ordered in excess of the standard range." CP at 41. At the subsequent
hearing, the prosecutor said he realized the court might strike the amended notice, which
"certainly was after [Mr. Sanchez's] plea," but that it filed the amended notice "as a
precautionary measure" to "make sure that everybody understood ... that the State was
still requesting an exceptional sentence." RP at 53. Mr. Sanchez objected to the State's
amendment.
After hearing arguments from the parties, the trial court determined the State had
provided Mr. Sanchez with sufficient notice of its intent to seek an exceptional sentence.
It expressed its view that the State had the right to file an amended notice, analogizing it
to the State's right to amend its information to conform to evidence up until the time the
matter is submitted to the finder of fact. It added that "clearly, the defendant had notice
ofthe intent to seek exceptional sentence." RP at 57.
At the trial on the aggravator, the State's proposed instructions included one that
was based on the pattern instruction provided at llA Washington Practice: Washington
Pattern Jury Instructions: Criminal 300.14, at 711 (3d ed. 2008) (WPIC). Mr. Sanchez
did not propose any instructions. At the conclusion of the State's evidence, the defense
asked that the court modify the WPIC 300. 14-based instruction to describe the offense
under consideration by the jury as "the current offense" rather than simply "the offense."
RP at 155. The court granted the requested modification.
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At trial, the jury heard testimony from detectives Bryson Aase and Jonathan Coe.
Detective Aase was acting undercover and was inside the buyer's house at the time of the
controlled buy. He testified that he had been a narcotics detective for six years, and had
never seen a larger single purchase of methamphetamine. Detective Coe, who was in
charge of the operation, similarly said that in the nearly three decades he had been a
police officer, he had never seen a single case involving delivery of more
methamphetamine. He testified that an average drug user would use .25 grams of
methamphetamine per day, while an extremely heavy user would use 1.5 grams at the
most.
Both detectives testified that this particular drug deal involved unusually large
shards, or crystal formations, of methamphetamine, which indicates sellers involved at a
higher level of the distribution chain. Detective Coe explained that this form of
methamphetamine is generally more pure because it has not been cut down and
potentially mixed/diluted with other ingredients by dealers lower on the distribution
chain. Detective Coe testified the 412.69 grams involved in the current transaction could
easily be doubled when cut with inactive ingredients by the time it was sold on the street,
and therefore its street value could be as much as $82,000.
At the conclusion of the evidence, the jury answered yes to the question, "Was the
crime a major violation of the Uniform Controlled Substance Act?" CP at 76. Based on
the jury's finding, the court imposed an exceptional sentence of 84 months.
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No. 32637-3-111
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The court also imposed what was identified on the State's proposed judgment and
sentence as a $3,000 "Mandatory 'Methamphetamine Clean Up' Assessment," citing
RCW 69.50.401(a)(1)(ii) as the basis for the fine, over Mr. Sanchez's objection that the
fine was not mandatory. CP at 93. The trial court accepted the State's argument that the
fine was mandatory. Mr. Sanchez appeals.
ANALYSIS
On appeal, Mr. Sanchez contends (1) he received insufficient notice of the State's
intent to seek an exceptional sentence based on a major VUCSA, (2) the instructions
given to the jury relieved the State of its burden to prove all of the elements of the
aggravating circumstance, and (3) the trial court abused its discretion by imposing a
$3,000 cleanup assessment fine, which is not required under RCW 69.50.401. We
address the issues in tum. 2
1. Adequacy ofnotice ofintent to seek an exceptional sentence
Mr. Sanchez makes three related assignments of error arising out of the trial
court's decision to conduct a trial on the major VUCSA aggravator over his objections.
He argues first, that the State's notice of its intent to seek an exceptional sentence did not
support its request for a sentence outside the standard range; second, that the trial court
2 The State argued in its response brief that Mr. Sanchez's notice of appeal was
untimely under RAP 5.2(a) and should be summarily dismissed. A commissioner of this
court heard arguments on this issue and determined the notice of appeal was timely. See
Comm'r's Ruling (June 26,2015).
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erred in allowing the State to file an amended notice; and third, that the trial court erred in
permitting the State's request for an aggravator to proceed to a jury trial. For reasons
explained below, we conclude that the original notice was sufficient, the amendment was
untimely under RCW 9.94A.537(l), and that Mr. Sanchez offers no basis for challenging
the conduct of the trial other than his failed argument that the initial notice was
insufficient.
Under the Sentencing Reform Act of 1981 (SRA), chapter 9.94A RCW, a trial
court may impose a sentence outside the standard range if it finds "that there are
substantial and compelling reasons justifying an exceptional sentence." RCW 9.94A.535.
The statute provides an exclusive list of permissible aggravating circumstances, many of
which must be found by a jury. RCW 9.94A.535(2), (3); see also State v. Pillatos, 159
Wn.2d 459,468, 150 P.3d 1130 (2007). The aggravating circumstance applied in this
case-that "[t]he current offense was a major violation of the Uniform Controlled
Substances Act"-is among those that must be found by a jury. RCW 9.94A.535(3)(e).
The state and federal constitutions both require that a defendant be given
"adequate notice of the nature and cause of the accusation in order to allow him or her to
prepare a defense in response to charges that he or she committed a crime." State v.
Siers, 174 Wn.2d 269,277,274 P.3d 358 (2012) (citing WASH. CONST. art. I, § 22; U.S.
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No. 32637-3-111
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CONST. amend. VI).3 "[T]o allow the defendant to 'mount an adequate defense' against
an aggravating circumstance listed in RCW 9.94A.535(3)," these constitutional
provisions require that a defendant "receive notice prior to the proceeding in which the
State seeks to prove those circumstances to a jury." Siers, 174 Wash. 2d at 277 (quoting
State v. Schaffer, 120 Wn.2d 616,620,845 P.2d 281 (1995)).
RCW 9.94A.537(1) effectuates these constitutional protections by providing that
[a]t any time prior to trial or entry of the guilty plea if substantial rights of
the defendant are not prejudiced, the state may give notice that it is seeking
a sentence above the standard sentencing range. The notice shall state
aggravating circumstances upon which the requested sentence will be
based.
This statute "permits the imposition of an exceptional sentence only when the State has
given notice, prior to trial," or in this case, prior to entry of the guilty plea, "that it intends
to seek a sentence above the standard sentencing range." State v. Womac, 160 Wash. 2d
643, 663, 160 P.3d 40 (2007).
Because the State's amended notice was filed after Mr. Sanchez entered his
Newton plea, it cannot satisfy RCW 9.94A.537(1)'s requirements, nor does it comport
with due process. The critical issue is whether the State's initial notice was adequate,
3 See WASH. CONST. art. I, § 22 ("In criminal prosecutions the accused shall have
the right ... to demand the nature and cause of the accusation against him."); U.S.
CONST. amend. VI ("In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall ... be informed of the
nature and cause of the accusation.").
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statutorily and constitutionally, to inform Mr. Sanchez of its intent to seek an exceptional
sentence outside the standard range.
Allegations of constitutional violations are reviewed de novo. Siers, 174 Wash. 2d at
273-74. Interpretation of a statute is a question oflaw, and is also subject to de novo
review. [d.; State v. Gonzales Flores, 164 Wash. 2d 1, 10, 186 P.3d 1038 (2008). Finally,
"[w ]hether the sentencing court had authority to empanel a jury to find aggravating
circumstances under RCW 9.94A.537 is a question oflaw," which this court likewise
reviews de novo. State v. Murawski, 142 Wash. App. 278, 289, 173 P.3d 994 (2007).
Adequacy ofthe State's initial notice
While RCW 9.94A.537(1) requires the State to provide notice that it will seek an
exceptional sentence and to set forth the aggravating factors alleged, it "does not mandate
the manner in which that notice is to be given." Siers, 174 Wash. 2d at 277; State v.
Bobenhouse, 143 Wash. App. 315, 331, 177 P.3d 209 (2008) (because "no particular form
of notice is specified by the statute," the prosecutor's letter to defense counsel notifying
him of the State's intent to seek an exceptional sentence based on RCW 9.94A.535(2)(c)
satisfied RCW 9.94A.53Ts notice requirement).
The State characterizes its initial notice as including "extraneous" information that
was not required by RCW 9.94A.535(2)(c) or due process. Resp't's Br. at 15.
Notwithstanding its inclusion of unnecessary language, it argues that the notice contained
all of the information required by RCW 9.94A.537(1): it both advised Mr. Sanchez that
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No. 32637-3-111
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the State would seek an exceptional sentence and identified the specific aggravating
factor the State intended to prove, including its statutory basis. It argues that the notice
enabled Mr. Sanchez to prepare a defense and therefore complied with constitutional
notice requirements.
The notice, which was captioned "Notice of Intent to Seek Exceptional Sentence"
states, in its entirety:
The above-named Defendant is hereby given notice that the State
intends to seek an exceptional sentence in the above matter, and will argue
for the sentences on each felony conviction in this case to be ordered
consecutive to each other. The basis for the State's argument may be found
in RCW 9.94A.535(3)(e). The State hereby alleges that the offense charged
against the Defendant was a major violation of the Uniform Controlled
Substance Act, chapter 69.50 RCW, relating to trafficking in controlled
substances, which was more onerous that [sic] the typical offence of its
statutory definition.
CP at 13. We agree with the State that the notice contained all of the information that is
required by statute to be conveyed. It stated both that "the State intends to seek an
exceptional sentence ... and will argue for the sentences on each felony conviction in
this case to be ordered consecutive to each other." Id. (emphasis added). It made these
statements in the context of a charge where the only exceptional sentence available would
be a sentence outside the standard range. The notice was, at worst, carelessly prepared.
For that reason, and because the statute does not prohibit surplusage in the notice, there
was no statutory violation.
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Turning to Mr. Sapchez's constitutionally-based challenge to the initial notice, if
the surplusage was affinnatively misleading, it could have due process implications. In
the analogous context of notice provided by a charging document, "[ w]hen a surplus
allegation varies between the charging document and proof at trial, the variance requires
reversal if it prejudices the accused either by misleading him in making his defense or by
exposing him to double jeopardy." State v. Eaton, 164 Wash. 2d 461, 470,191 P.3d 1270
(2008) (citing State v. Tvedt, 153 Wn.2d 705,718,107 PJd 728 (2005»; State v.
Stritmatter, 102 Wn.2d 516,524,688 P.2d 499 (1984). Mr. Sanchez argues that he was
prejudiced because the State's request for consecutive sentencing would be
inconsequential to the sentence he faced in light of the single charge, and that he entered
his guilty plea believing he would not be at risk of an exceptional sentence. He also
contends that because a judge, not a jury, may find facts supporting consecutive
sentences, State v. Vance, 168 Wash. 2d 754, 762,230 P.3d 1055 (2010), he believed he
would be making sentencing arguments to the trial court, rather than facing a jury trial on
an aggravating factor.
Mr. Sanchez cannot make a persuasive case of prejudice, however. A reasonable
reader, knowing that the only exceptional sentence the State could seek would be a
sentence outside the standard range, would recognize its reference to seeking consecutive
sentencing as probable error. For that reason, and considering the exchange on the record
before Mr. Sanchez entered his plea, in which there were specific references to the State
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No. 32637-3-III
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seeking a "sentence outside the standard range," Mr. Sanchez's claim that he was misled
is a dubious one. CP at 88.
And even under the circumstances he claims existed, he could have, but did not,
seek to withdraw his guilty plea. Due process requires that a guilty plea may be accepted
only upon a showing that the accused understands the nature of the charge and enters the
plea intelligently and voluntarily. State v. Robinson, 172 Wash. 2d 783, 790, 263 P.3d 1233
(2011). "A defendant does not knowingly plead guilty when he bases that plea on
misinformation regarding sentencing consequences." ld. (citing State v. Miller, 110
Wash. 2d 528, 531, 756 P.2d 122 (1988), overruled on other grounds by State v. Barber,
170 Wash. 2d 854, 248 P.3d 494 (2011)). Under CrR 4.2(f), "[t]he court shall allow a
defendant to withdraw the defendant's plea of guilty whenever it appears that the
withdrawal is necessary to correct a manifest injustice." If Mr. Sanchez misunderstood
the State's intention, he had a right to withdraw his guilty plea.
Accordingly, either Mr. Sanchez did not misunderstand the State's intention and
was engaged in sandbagging, 4 or he did misunderstand and could have withdrawn his
plea. Whichever is the case, his right to due process was not violated.
4 In State v. Kjorsvik, our Supreme Court paraphrased Professor Wayne LeFave's
description of "sandbagging" in the analogous context of a defective charging document,
describing it as "a potential defense practice wherein the defendant recognizes a defect in
the charging document but forgoes raising it before trial when a successful objection
would usually result only in an amendment." 117 Wash. 2d 93, 103,812 P.2d 86 (1991)
(citing 2 W. LAFAVE & J. ISRAEL, CRIMINAL PROCEDURE § 19.2, at 442 & n.36 (1984)).
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The State's true intention was manifest in plenty of time for Mr. Sanchez to
prepare a defense to trial on the aggravator. The State promptly (if ineffectively) filed an
amended notice on April 21, 2014, upon receiving Mr. Sanchez's brief pointing out the
anomalous language in its initial notice. While Mr. Sanchez argues conc1usorily that he
was denied the opportunity to prepare a defense against the aggravating circumstance, the
record shows otherwise. He was informed from the time of the initial notice that the
State would rely on RCW 9.94A.535(3)(e) and contend that his offense was a major
VUCSA. He was aware by April 21, 2014, at the latest, that the State was requesting that
the court impose a sentence outside the standard range, and trial did not take place until
May 30, 2014. Mr. Sanchez never requested a continuance.
The State's amended notice of intent to seek an exceptional sentence did not
comply with RCW 9.94A.537. But its initial notice complied with the statute, and Mr.
Sanchez fails to demonstrate that the State's erroneous reference to seeking exceptional
consecutive sentences-surplusage, under the applicable statute-resulted in a violation
of his right to due process. The trial court did not err in proceeding to trial on the major
VUCSA.
II. Jury instruction
Mr. Sanchez next argues that instructions given during the jury trial on the
exceptional sentence were constitutionally deficient because they relieved the State of its
burden to prove all of the elements of the aggravating circumstance beyond a reasonable
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No. 32637-3-111
State v. Sanchez
doubt. His argument arises from RCW 9.94A.535(3)(e)'s arguably ambiguous statement
that an aggravating circumstance exists if"[t]he current offense was a major violation of
the Uniform Controlled Substances Act ... which was more onerous than the typical
offense of its statutory definition," from which one can argue that the aggravating
circumstance requires the presence of two elements (a "major violation" and an "offense
... more onerous than the typical offense") or only one (a "major violation," which
means that the offense was "more onerous than the typical offense").
Mr. Sanchez contends that the statute should be construed to require proof of both
"a major violation" and an "offense ... more onerous than the typical offense of its
statutory definition." Yet the trial court's Instruction No.6 to the jury, which Mr.
Sanchez challenges for the first time on appeal, did not require the jury to find the two
asserted elements, stating instead:
A major trafficking violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances
Act is one which is more onerous than the typical offense. The presence of
any of the following factors may identify this offense as a major trafficking
violation:
Whether the current offense involved an attempted or actual sale or
transfer of controlled substances in quantities substantially larger
than for personal use; or
Whether the circumstances of the current offense reveal that the
Defendant occupied a high position in the drug distribution
hierarchy.
CP at 73.
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Resolution of this assigned error requires interpretation of RCW 9 .94A.53 5(3)(e).
A court's primary objective when interpreting a statute "is to ascertain and carry out the
legislature's intent." State ex reI. Citizens Against Tolls v. Murphy, 151 Wash. 2d 226, 242,
88 P.3d 375 (2004). If the statute's meaning is plain on its face, "the court must give
effect to that plain meaning as an expression of legislative intent." Id. The plain
meaning of a statute is discerned "from the ordinary meaning of the language at issue, the
context of the statute in which that provision is found, related provisions, and the
statutory scheme as a whole." State v. Engel, 166 Wash. 2d 572, 578,210 P.3d 1007
(2009).
If a statutory provision is ambiguous, i.e., is subject to more than one reasonable
interpretation, the court may'" resort to statutory construction, legislative history, and
relevant case law for assistance in determining legislative intent.'" Anthis v. Copland,
173 Wash. 2d 752, 756, 270 P.3d 574 (2012) (quoting Christensen v. Ellsworth, 162 Wash. 2d
365, 373, 173 P.3d 228 (2007». Interpretation of a statute is a question of law, reviewed
de novo. Flores, 164 Wash. 2d at 10.
In its entirety, RCW 9.94A.535(3)(e) states that an exceptional sentence above the
standard range may be imposed if:
The current offense was a major violation of the Uniform Controlled
Substances Act, chapter 69.50 RCW (VUCSA), related to trafficking in
controlled substances, which was more onerous than the typical offense of
its statutory definition: The presence of ANY of the following may identify
a current offense as a major VUCSA:
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No. 32637-3-III
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(i) The current offense involved at least three separate
transactions in which controlled substances were sold, transferred, or
possessed with intent to do so;
(ii) The current offense involved an attempted or actual sale or
transfer of controlled substances in quantities substantially larger
than for personal use;
(iii) The current offense involved the manufacture of controlled
substances for use by other parties;
(iv) The circumstances of the current offense reveal the offender
to have occupied a high position in the drug distribution hierarchy;
(v) The current offense involved a high degree of sophistication
or planning, occurred over a lengthy period of time, or involved a
broad geographic area of disbursement; or
(vi) The offender used his or her position or status to facilitate the
commission of the current offense, including positions of trust,
confidence or fiduciary responsibility (e.g., pharmacist, physician, or
other medical professional).
RCW 9.94A.535(3)(e). It is well settled that if anyone of the six factors listed in RCW
9.94A.535(3)(e) is present, an exceptional sentence is justified. State v. Solberg, 122
Wash. 2d 688, 707,861 P.2d 460 (1993); State v. Hrycenko, 85 Wash. App. 543, 548, 933
P.2d 435 (1997), abrogated in part on other grounds by Flores, 164 Wash. 2d 1.
The ambiguity in the statute created by the phrase "which was more onerous than
the offense of its statutory definition," was addressed by this court in Division One's pre-
SRA decision in Hrycenko, which held that the phrase "more onerous than typical"
contained in RCW 9.94A.535(3)(e),5 "does no more than amplify the required conclusion
that an offense is 'major.'" 85 Wash. App. at 545.
5 At the time of Mr. Hrycenko's crime, the major VUSCA aggravator was
provided by former RCW 9.94A.390(2)(d) (1989). RCW 9.94A.535(3)(e) is nearly
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No. 32637-3-111
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It therefore rejected the defendants' argument that the State must prove both that
the offense was a major violation and that it was more onerous than typical, stating, "It is
not a two-step inquiry." Id. at 548. The court explained:
Although somewhat inartfully stated, the Legislature has provided
that if a crime involves circumstances such as the presence of quantities
larger than for personal use or a broad geographic area, then this conduct
constitutes an atypical, egregious crime warranting an exceptional sentence.
Essentially, the phrase "more onerous than typical" is not an additional
requirement, rather it is a restatement of the requirement ofa "major
violation."
Id.
And interpreting the predecessor statute to RCW 9.94A.535(3)(e),6 our Supreme
Court held in State v. Solberg, 122 Wash. 2d at 707, that "a properly supported finding of
anyone of the statutory aggravating circumstances"-by which it was referring to the
enumerated circumstances now set forth in RCW 9.94A.535(3)(e)(i) through (vi)-"may
elevate a drug offense to a "major violation' which allows a trial court, in its discretion, to
impose an exceptional sentence." Only the three-member dissent in Solberg viewed
showing that the current offense was more onerous than typical as an additional element
that must be proved. Id. at 708 (Madsen, J., dissenting). Under Solberg, then, nothing
identical to language that has been in effect since 1986. LAWS OF 1986, Ch. 257, §
27(2)(d). RCW 9.94A.390 was recodified as RCW 9.94A.535 by LAWS OF 2001, ch. 10,
§ 6.
6 Here, too, the predecessor statute at issue was former RCW 9.94A.390(2)(d)
(1989).
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No. 32637-3-111
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else is required beyond a finding of a "major violation" of the Uniform Controlled
Substances Act.
In promulgating WPIC 300.14, the Washington Pattern Instructions Committee
has noted there are three possible constructions of its ambiguous introductory language,
the first and third being consistent with the outcomes in Hrycenko and Solberg. The
second construction it identifies is that advocated by Mr. Sanchez:
Under the second possible construction, the state is required to prove
two facts: (1) a major violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act;
and (2) that the violation is "more onerous than the typical offense of its
statutory classification." This construction prevents the latter phrase from
being superfluous by interpreting the "which" as meaning "that." Like the
first construction, this treats subdivisions (i) through (vi) as illustrative
examples.
WPIC 300.14, at 713 (3rd ed. 2008).
Mr. Sanchez urges this court to adopt this construction but makes no effort to
distinguish Hrycenko or Solberg. To adopt the second construction would be contrary to
the implicit construction of the statute by the Supreme Court majority in Solberg and
contrary to Division One's well-reasoned decision in Hrycenko. We also note that as a
matter of common sense, it would seem that a "major" VUSCA is necessarily "more
onerous than the typical offense," and vice versa.
Mr. Sanchez nonetheless claims his construction of the statute is supported by
Flores, 164 Wash. 2d 1, perhaps taking encouragement from an unpublished opinion in
which this court viewed Flores as having been abrogated by Hrycenko on this point.
20
No. 32637-3-III
State v. Sanchez
State v. Lopez, 149 Wn. App. 1033,2009 WL 756292, at *6 (2009).7 But no other cases
have recognized any such abrogation and on reexamination, we conclude that the Lopez
court's reading of Flores was wrong.
Mr. Sanchez focuses on the statements in Flores that
[T]he trial court had to make factual determinations in order to justify the
exceptional sentence. In particular, the trial court had to infer the offenses
were "more onerous than the typical offense."
164 Wash. 2d at 22. But a closer reading of Flores reveals the court implicitly rejected a
reading of the statute that requires proof of both a "major violation" and that the offense
was "more onerous than typical."
Flores was a case that was tried before Blakely, and the issue on appeal, which
followed Blakely, was whether the exceptional sentence imposed on Flores violated his
right to a jury trial because the judge, rather than a jury, had determined that his offense
was a major VUCSA. Flores, 164 Wash. 2d at 5. The State argued that because the jury
convicted the defendant of more than three unlawful drug transactions, its verdict
sufficiently supported a finding of a major VUCSA under former RCW
9.94A.535(2)(e)(i) (identifying, as a qualifying circumstance, a current offense that
7 If Mr. Sanchez was encouraged by Lopez, he properly refrains from citing it. See
OR 14.1 (unpublished decisions may not be cited as authority). We mention the
unpublished opinion not as authority, but to prevent it from misleading parties in the
future.
21
No. 32637-3-111
State v. Sanchez
involves at least three separate transactions in which controlled substances were sold,
transferred, or possessed with intent to do so). Id. at 21.
In rejecting the State's argument, the Flores court emphasized that whether an
offense constitutes a major VUCSA is a factual determination. Id. at 22. It explained
that like the "major economic offense" aggravator, "the 'major VUCSA' aggravator
allows, but does not compel, an exceptional sentence when the defendant commits
multiple violations." Id. (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting former RCW
9.94A.535(2)(e)) ("[t]he presence of ANY of the following may identify a current offense
as a major VUCSA"). Because the jury's verdict did not "necessarily imply" the
defendant's multiple offenses constituted a major VUCSA, the court held the exceptional
sentence was based on a finding made by the judge, not the jury, and therefore violated
his right to ajury trial under Blakely. Id. at 23.
The Flores court treated a finding that an offense was a major VUCSA as
synonymous with a finding that it was "more onerous than the typical offense." In the
same paragraph, the court states both that
to justify the exceptional sentence ... the trial court had to infer the
offenses were "more onerous than the typical offense"
and
Because the jury verdict does not necessarily imply Flores' multiple
offenses were a "major VUCSA," the exceptional sentence is based on a
finding made by the judge, not the jury.
22
No. 32637-3-III
State v. Sanchez
Id. at 22-23. And in the next paragraph, the court again referred to the single essential
factual finding being that "the crime was a 'major VUCSA.'" Id. at 23.
Hrycenko and Solberg remain good law and compel the conclusion that the jury
was properly instructed.
III. Methamphetamine cleanup assessment fine
Finally, Mr. Sanchez contends the trial court abused its discretion in imposing a
methamphetamine cleanup assessment fine based on an erroneous belief that it was
required by the statute.
RCW 69.50.401(2)(b) provides that upon conviction for the manufacture, delivery,
or possession of amphetamine with intent to manufacture or deliver, a person "may be
imprisoned for not more than ten years, or (i) fined not more than twenty-five thousand
dollars if the crime involved less than two kilograms of the drug, or both such
imprisonment and fine." Elsewhere, the provision states:
Three thousand dollars of the fine may not be suspended. As collected, the
first three thousand dollars of the fine must be deposited with the law
enforcement agency having responsibility for cleanup of laboratories, sites,
or substances used in the manufacture of the methamphetamine, including
its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers. The fine moneys deposited with that
law enforcement agency must be used for such clean-up cost.
RCW 69.50.40 1(2)(b).
In State v. Wood, 117 Wash. App. 207, 212, 70 P.3d 151 (2003), this court rejected
the State's argument that an earlier version of this statute, which contained nearly
23
No. 32637-3-111
State v. Sanchez
identical language, required a mandatory $3,000 cleanup fine for defendants who have
been convicted of crimes involving methamphetamine. Noting that the language
provides that "[i]fa fine is imposed, the first $3,000 collected must go to the drug site
cleanup fund," the court held that "the statute authorizing a contribution to the drug
cleanup fund is discretionary with the trial court." Id.
Although the State concedes on appeal that the fine is in fact discretionary, 8 it
contended otherwise at the time of sentencing. In reviewing the proposed judgment and
sentence at the time of sentencing, Mr. Sanchez's lawyer specifically objected to the fine
on the basis that it was not mandatory, even if his understanding of the statute was
somewhat misplaced. He stated:
I've noticed under the section for costs and assessments that there's been a
$3,000 methamphetamine cleanup assessment. My reading ofthat is that
it's not a mandatory thing. I think it's mandatory ifthere's been a
commission of a, ah-a meth lab or manufacture of it. This is not that type
of offense. We heard ample testimony that manufacture ofthis particular
drug has gone south of the border. I don't think it's appropriate. Not only
that, but per the RCWs, the cost ofthat are supposed to go to actual
cleanup. I am in fear that if that was imposed, it would just sit in the, ah,
funds someplace and never be used.
RP at 203 (emphasis added).
The prosecutor responded that "the law provides that any, ah, dealing or
manufacturing related offense, ah, the $3,000 cleanup fee is-is, ah, mandatory ... I
8 The State argues on appeal that any error was not preserved under RAP 2.5(a)
but the record reveals otherwise.
24
No. 32637-3-III
State v. Sanchez
don't have the specific statute, but it states that the Court shall impose, ah, the fine." Id.
The court agreed with the prosecutor, stating, "I think that's accurate." RP at 204.
The trial court incorrectly assumed that the fine was required by statute. It thereby
abused its discretion, and the case will be remanded for resentencing as to any fine.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL GROUNDS
In a pro se statement of additional grounds (SAG), Mr. Sanchez raises one: he
claims that he and his lawyer believed the State would not be seeking an exceptional
sentence based on the parties' "plea agreement." SAG at l. He further contends that by
recognizing the amended notice of intent to seek an exceptional sentence as effective and
proceeding with a jury trial on the aggravator, the judge who accepted the plea "rendered
defense Counsel ineffective in plea negotiations." Id.
For support, Mr. Sanchez cites federal cases addressing the State's obligation
under the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution and due process principles
to negotiate and communicate fairly with defendants during the plea bargain process.
See, e.g., Missouri v. Frye, 132 S. Ct. 1399, 1406, 182 L. Ed. 2d 379 (2012) (holding that
the constitutional right to counsel applies during the plea bargain process). As the State
points out, however, there was no plea agreement in this case.
Mr. Sanchez nevertheless claims he entered his Newton plea under the assumption
that, based on the State's original notice of intent to seek an exceptional sentence, he
would be able to avoid an exceptional sentence. Id. at 2. This argument has been
25
No. 32637-3-III
State v. Sanchez
adequately advanced by his appellate lawyer and we will not reexamine it. See RAP
1O.1O(a) (purpose of a SAG is to permit an appellant "to identify and discuss those
matters" which the defendant/appellant "believes have not been adequately addressed by
the brief filed by the defendant[/appellant),s counsel.")
We reverse the methamphetamine cleanup assessment fine and remand for
resentencing as to any fine. We otherwise affirm.
A majority of the panel has determined this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but it will be filed for public record pursuant to RCW
2.06.040.
::b~aA% '
Slddoway, C.l
.9f
WE CONCUR:
Brown, J.* U
* Judge Stephen M. Brown was a member of the Court of Appeals at the time
argument was heard on this matter. He is now serving as a judge pro tempore of the
court pursuant to RCW 2.06.150.
26