[Cite as State v. Stewart, 2009-Ohio-3411.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO 

THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT 

SENECA COUNTY 

 

STATE OF OHIO, 

 PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, CASE NO. 13-08-18 

 v. 

DARRION A. STEWART, O P I N I O N 

 DEFENDANT-APPELLANT. 

 

Appeal from Seneca County Common Pleas Court 

Trial Court No. 07-CR-0154 

Judgment Affirmed 

Date of Decision: July 13, 2009 

 

APPEARANCES: 

Jeffrey M. Brandt for Appellant 

Gregory A. Tapocsi for Appellee 
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SHAW, J. 

{¶1} Defendant-Appellant Darrion A. Stewart (“Stewart”) appeals from 

the May 14, 2008 Judgment Entry of the Court of Common Pleas, Seneca County, 

Ohio sentencing him to a total prison term of thirty-six years and eleven months 

for his conviction on twenty-three charges. 

{¶2} The charges against Stewart stemmed from drug activity occurring 

from 2005 through Stewart’s arrest on July 27, 2007. As part of the investigation, 

a series of controlled drug purchases were made under the direction of Detective 

Charles Boyer (“Detective Boyer”) with the Seneca County Drug Task Force. 

Detective Boyer testified that the investigation in the present case originated from 

complaints involving drug activity around a six block radius in Fostoria. 

{¶3} The charged conduct began on October 19, 2005, when confidential 

informant (CI)1

 Cheyenne Bloom (“Bloom”) was directed to make a controlled 

drug purchase in Fostoria. Bloom drove through Fostoria and made contact with a 

man in an alley behind Jack’s Carry-out. Bloom, who identified Stewart as the 

person he met in the alley, stated that he asked Stewart for “a 50,” and was given a 

 

1

 At trial, testimony was given that many of the controlled drug purchases in the present case were made 

through the assistance of confidential informants. In offering testimony involving the use of confidential 

informants, a standard procedure that is carried out prior to the drug purchase was outlined by Detective 

Boyer. First, the CI’s body is searched for contraband. If a CI’s vehicle is being used, it is also searched 

for contraband. Next, the CI is equipped with audio and video recording devices to record the drug 

purchase. Also, the CI is issued money with which to make the drug purchase. Money issued to a CI has 

been photocopied or marked so that the money can be later identified. 

After a drug purchase, a CI is again searched and the recording equipment is removed. Also, the audio and 

video recordings are transferred to a computer and made into CDs of the transaction. Moreover, CI’s are 

asked to initial any evidence relating to the transaction. 
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little plastic baggie of crack cocaine. (Tr.p. 1171). Upon completing the 

purchase, Bloom turned over the purchase to Detective Boyer, who he met at a 

secure location after completing the buy. 

{¶4} Anthony Tambasco (“Tambasco”) a forensic scientist with the 

Mansfield Police Department Crime Laboratory testified that the baggie of crack 

cocaine Bloom received from Stewart contained .58 grams of crack cocaine. Both 

audio and video recordings of this transaction were introduced at trial and played 

for the jury. (Tr.p. 1178). 

{¶5} On February 14, 2006 another controlled drug purchase was made 

using CI Charles Roberts (“Roberts”). After a prior controlled drug purchase, 

Roberts asked the person who sold him drugs where he could purchase a larger 

amount of drugs. Roberts was given a cell phone number. After obtaining the cell 

phone number, Roberts contacted Detective Boyer to determine if he wanted to 

pursue this lead. (Tr.p. 1186). 

{¶6} Detective Boyer had Roberts call the cell phone number on February 

14, 2006. When Roberts called, he reached a man, who he later identified as 

Stewart, who told him that he was “out of town,” and then hung up the phone. 

(Tr.p. 1188-1189). Roberts then called again and Stewart did not answer the 

phone. A third phone call was made, this time Stewart answered and told Roberts 

to “call my girl.” Stewart then gave Roberts another phone number. (Tr.p. 1191). 
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{¶7} Roberts called the phone number supplied by Stewart and made 

contact with a female that he subsequently identified as Alexa Johnson 

(“Johnson”). Roberts and Johnson arranged to meet outside her residence located 

at 112 1⁄2 East North Street in Fostoria for Roberts to purchase a quarter of an 

ounce of crack cocaine for $250. The purchase was made as scheduled with 

Johnson meeting Roberts outside 112 1⁄2 East North Street. Scott Dobransky 

(“Dobransky”), a forensic scientist with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal 

Identification and Investigation testified that the weight of the purchase was 6.68 

grams of crack cocaine, or approximately a quarter ounce. The purchase was 

recorded on both audio and video tapes and played for the jury at trial. 

{¶8} During the purchase, Roberts told Johnson that he was trying to 

“flip” the crack cocaine. (Tr.p. 1200). At trial, Roberts testified that by “flip” he 

meant breaking the 6.68 grams into smaller pieces and selling it, so that he could 

buy a greater quantity the next time. Immediately after making the quarter ounce 

purchase on February 14, 2006 Roberts called Stewart and stated that he would be 

buying more crack cocaine in several days, after he flipped the February 14, 2006 

purchase. Roberts told Stewart that he wanted to purchase a larger quantity next 

time. This call was also recorded and played for the jury. 

{¶9} The next purchase was made on February 16, 2006. Roberts again 

contacted Stewart and was told by Stewart that he was out of town and that 
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Roberts should contact Johnson. Roberts then called Johnson, who arranged to 

sell him a half ounce of cocaine for $450. Johnson arranged to meet Roberts 

outside of 112 1⁄2 East North Street to complete the purchase. 

{¶10} Roberts met Johnson behind 112 1⁄2 East North Street and accepted 

the crack cocaine. However, upon weighing the crack cocaine, Roberts discovered 

that it weighed less than the half ounce that he had paid Johnson for and had 

planned to purchase. Roberts argued with Johnson, who then went back into 112 

1⁄2 East North Street and retrieved some powder cocaine to make up the rest of the 

amount. Tambasco testified that during this transaction, 13.29 grams of crack 

cocaine and .96 grams of powder cocaine were actually purchased by Roberts. 

Audio and video tapes of this transaction were also played for the jury. 

{¶11} A similar purchase occurred February 19, 2006 wherein Roberts first 

called Stewart and was directed to contact Johnson. When Roberts made contact 

with Johnson, he told her he wanted to purchase an ounce from Johnson. The 

price for this purchase was $900. When Roberts arrived at 112 1⁄2 East North 

Street, he met Johnson, who informed him that she did not have crack cocaine, 

only powder cocaine. Johnson then asked Roberts to drive her to a Kroger to 

purchase some baking soda to cook the powder cocaine into crack cocaine and 

then requested that Roberts waited for the cooking process to be completed before 
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returning to make the purchase.2

 Johnson testified at trial that she did not cook the 

crack cocaine, but that Stewart always did the cooking and was in the apartment 

cooking the crack cocaine on this occasion. 

{¶12} After waiting approximately twenty minutes for the crack to be 

cooked, Roberts returned to 112 1⁄2 East North Street to purchase the ounce of 

crack cocaine. Johnson again brought the crack cocaine downstairs from 112 1⁄2 

East North Street. However, this sale was also short of the full ounce of crack 

cocaine, so Johnson against supplemented the amount with a small amount of 

powder cocaine. Tambasco testified that, based on his analysis, Roberts received 

24.99 grams of crack cocaine and 1.46 grams of powder cocaine during this 

transaction. Audio and video tapes of this transaction were also played for the 

jury. 

{¶13} Another purchase occurred on February 27, 2006. Roberts first 

called Stewart and was directed to contact Johnson, whom he met behind 112 1⁄2 

East North Street to complete the transaction. Roberts had arranged to purchase 

two ounces of crack cocaine for $1,800, but again found the amounts lacking 

when he weighed the crack cocaine using his own scale. Johnson again went back 

into 112 1⁄2 East North Street to retrieve additional powder cocaine to make up the 

 

2

 Crack cocaine is “cooked” by boiling water, putting powder cocaine in the water, and, as the cocaine is 

boiling, sprinkling baking soda on the top of the boiling mixture. This brings out the impurities in the 

cocaine. The mixture is then filtered through a coffee filter. What stays on the coffee filter is a waxy soapy 

material which is the crack cocaine. (Tr.p. 568). 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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amount. However, Johnson testified that Stewart was in the apartment at that time 

and re-weighed the crack cocaine, and finding it of sufficient weight, directed 

Johnson to take his scale down to the car to demonstrate to Roberts that the crack 

cocaine weighed two ounces. 

{¶14} Roberts conceded that the crack did weigh two ounces and that his 

scale must be broken. At the conclusion of this sale, Stewart appeared at the back 

door of 112 1⁄2 East North Street, and yelled to Roberts that his scale was not 

working properly and told Roberts he should get a new scale. Tambasco testified 

that Johnson and Stewart sold Roberts 46.99 grams of crack cocaine on February 

27, 2006. Audio and video tapes of this transaction were introduced and played 

for the jury. 

{¶15} With respect to the drug purchases that occurred at 112 1⁄2 East North 

Street, Detective Boyer also noted in his testimony that the location of 112 1⁄2 East 

North Street was 499 feet from St. Wendelin Elementary School. David Lang, 

Parish Manager for St. Wendelin Parish and Schools also testified that St. 

Wendelin’s Elementary School property abutted East North Street. 

{¶16} The next transaction occurred on March 3, 2006. This time, Roberts 

arranged to purchase three and a half ounces of crack cocaine. When he called 

Johnson to make the purchase, she did not want to meet again at 112 1⁄2 East North 

Street, saying that her house was “hot,” meaning under watch by the police. (Tr.p. 
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1279). Also, both Roberts and Johnson were concerned about being robbed due to 

the large amount of money and drugs at issue in this transaction. 

{¶17} Instead, Roberts picked up Johnson up at 175 Freemont Street in 

Fostoria and they drove around while he gave her $3,600 for 4.5 ounces of crack 

cocaine. Once the transaction was completed, Roberts dropped Johnson back off 

at 175 Freemont Street. Tambasco testified that this transaction involved 107.78 

grams of crack cocaine. This transaction was recorded on both audio and 

videotape and played for the jury. 

{¶18} After the March 3, 2006 purchase, Detective Boyer procured search 

warrants for both 811 N. Wood Street and 112 1⁄2 East North Street. On March 14, 

2006 Boyer and other officers executed the search warrants on 112 1⁄2 East North 

Street and 811 N. Wood Street. Nothing was found in the Wood Street residence 

when it was searched. 

{¶19} The warrant for 112 1⁄2 East North Street was a document warrant, 

entitling officers only to search for documents. However, when officers entered 

the home, there were visible narcotics lying all around the kitchen. At that point, 

officers stopped searching until a search warrant authorizing the search for drugs 

was obtained and the search was continued. 

{¶20} Additionally, upon entering the residence, Officers found Michael 

Thomas (“Thomas”) asleep on the couch. Otherwise, 112 1⁄2 East North Street 
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appeared to be unoccupied. However, it was later determined that Stewart and 

another male were hiding behind the furnace in a closet on the back porch at the 

time of the search, but were never found by officers. Johnson testified at trial that 

Stewart called her from his cell phone while police were searching the house. It 

appears, from all of the testimony given at trial that Stewart had just returned to 

the apartment prior to the police executing the search warrant. This can be 

inferred both from Johnson’s testimony and the fact that drugs were scattered 

throughout the kitchen, despite the fact that drugs were usually kept out of sight in 

a bedroom dresser. 

{¶21} Inside the residence at 112 1⁄2 East North Street, officers found a total 

of 285.49 grams of powder cocaine, 272.43 grams of crack cocaine, 469.91 grams 

of marijuana, digital scales, cell phones, a box of .38 caliber bullets, two boxes of 

.22 caliber bullets, a .22 caliber pistol, a .40 caliber pistol, a Taurus 9 millimeter 

pistol, holster all attributable to Stewart. The amounts of the drugs found in 112 1⁄2 

East North Street were testified to by Matthew Congleton (“Congleton”), a 

forensic scientist with the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation. 

{¶22} These items were found throughout the apartment. However, many 

of the drugs were found in a dresser drawer where Johnson testified that she and 

Stewart kept their drugs and also in the kitchen, where Stewart likely placed them 

when he arrived at the apartment. Drugs were also found in a Kermit jacket which 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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Stewart is wearing in a photograph and which Johnson testified belonged to 

Stewart. 

{¶23} With respect to who actually resided at 112 1⁄2 East North Street, 

Johnson testified that although only her name was on the lease to 112 1⁄2 East 

North Street, Stewart lived there with her, despite his frequent absences from the 

apartment. Johnson also testified that she and Stewart both sometimes stated that 

they lived at 110 1⁄2 East North Street in order to avoid letting people know where 

they actually lived. 

{¶24} Also, during the March 14, 2006 search of 112 1⁄2 East North Street, 

Thomas, who was found sleeping on the couch, was charged with possession of 

2.84 grams of crack cocaine found on his person at the time of the search. 

{¶25} After the March 14, 2006 search, Detective Boyer was contacted by 

Corey McGhee (“McGhee”). McGhee was incarcerated and requested to speak to 

Detective Boyer in order to ask about getting consideration on his charges. At that 

time, McGhee was in the Seneca County Jail and upon meeting with Detective 

Boyer, told him that he could purchase drugs from Stewart, or another person 

involved in the enterprise, James Burris (“Burris”). 

{¶26} On March 25, 2006 Trooper Ricky L. Vitte, with the State Highway 

Patrol stopped a Chevy Lumina traveling eastbound on Lytle Street in Fostoria. 

Trooper Vitte stopped the Lumina because it was being operated too closely 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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behind the truck it was following. The driver of the vehicle was Taylor Novo 

(“Novo”). Stewart was in the front passenger seat and Darren Parks (“Parks”) and 

William Lamar Jackson (“Jackson”) were in the rear passenger area. 

{¶27} When Trooper Vitte approached the vehicle, he noticed an odor of 

alcoholic beverage and also an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Novo 

was asked to step out of the car and was subsequently given several field sobriety 

tests. Novo was placed under arrest for operating a vehicle under the influence of 

alcohol. 

{¶28} Stewart was asked to step out of the vehicle and was asked if he had 

anything on his person. Stewart voluntarily supplied a small bag of marijuana that 

was concealed in his left sock. Stewart was also in possession of $1,200. Based 

on the odor of marijuana, the officers searched the vehicle. 

{¶29} Due to Novo’s intoxication and Stewart’s possession of marijuana, 

they were taken to the police station. During the drive to the police station, 

Trooper Vitte testified that he observed Stewart laying back during the drive. 

Upon arrival at the station, Trooper Vitte pulled his cruiser into a “sally port” to 

unload the suspects. Trooper Vitte testified that the sally port was a clear area and 

that nothing was on the floor in the area. (Tr.p. 1825). 

{¶30} Trooper Vitte then proceeded inside the station with Stewart. Upon 

returning to his cruiser, Trooper Vitte observed “just outside the right rear door, 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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there was a large plastic bag with six individually wrapped bags inside the larger 

bag.” (Tr.p. 1826). Trooper Vitte then checked the back of the cruiser and 

proceeded back into the station to determine if anyone else had been in the sally 

port. He was informed that no one else had been in the sally port. The bag found 

in the sally port was analyzed by Heather Collins, a criminalist with the Ohio 

Highway Patrol Crime Lab, and determined to contain .666 grams of crack 

cocaine and 9.979 grams of powder cocaine. 

{¶31} Another search was conducted on March 19, 2007. This time, the 

property searched was located at 303 East Lytle Street in Fostoria. After the 

search of 112 1⁄2 East North Street on March 14, 2006, Johnson and Stewart moved 

to 303 East Lytle Street in order to avoid any further surveillance by police. It 

appears that Stewart and Johnson were in the habit of moving frequently. The 

search of 303 East Lytle Street began in the early hours of the morning, and when 

officers entered the home, they found Johnson in bed sleeping. 

{¶32} During the search of 303 East Lytle Street, officers found 46.5 grams 

of crack cocaine in a blue bag in a closet off the dining room; also found in the 

blue bag were two bags of cocaine weighing 124.7 grams and 24.7 grams. Fiftysix tablets of MDMA,3

 a bag containing .4 grams of cocaine, 21.6 grams of 

psilocyn mushrooms were found in the dining room closet. Three hundred and 

 

3

 MDMA, or methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is also known as ecstasy. 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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sixty-six grams of marijuana, 23.4 grams of marijuana packaged in small 

individual bags were found in some cardboard tubes on the dining room table, 

along with .5 grams of marijuana, 12.4 grams of marijuana, and digital scales. 

Also found during the search was marked currency supplied to a confidential 

informant and used in one of the drug purchases. 

{¶33} Items identified as belonging to both Johnson and Stewart were 

found, including mail addressed to Stewart, at 303 East Lytle Street. Additionally, 

a .38 special revolver and ammunition were found in the bedroom. Johnson 

testified at trial that she slept with a gun under her pillow. 

{¶34} On June 21, 2007 Stewart was indicted on twenty-five counts. The 

indictment was amended several times before trial with the final request to amend 

occurring on April 15, 2008. The amended indictment consisted of twenty-three 

counts as follows: Count 1 - Trafficking in Crack Cocaine, in violation of R.C. 

2925.03(A)(1), (C)(4)(a), a felony of the fifth degree; Count 2 - Complicity to 

Trafficking in Crack Cocaine, in violation of R.C. 2923.03(A)(2) and R.C. 

2925.03(A)(1),(C)(4)(d), a felony of the second degree; Count 3 - Complicity to 

Trafficking in Crack Cocaine, in violation of R.C. 2923.03(A)(2) and R.C. 

2925.03(A)(1),(C)(4)(e), a felony of the first degree; Count 4 - Complicity to 

Trafficking in Cocaine, in violation of R.C. 2923.03(A)(2) and R.C. 

2925.03(A)(1),(C)(4)(b), a felony of the fourth degree; Count 5 – Complicity to 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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Trafficking in Crack Cocaine, in violation of R.C. 2923.03(A)(2) and R.C. 

2925.03(A)(1),(C)(4)(e), a felony of the first degree; Count 6 - Complicity to 

Trafficking in Cocaine, in violation of R.C. 2923.03(A)(2) and R.C. 

2925.03(A)(1),(C)(4)(b), a felony of the fourth degree; Count 7 - Complicity to 

Trafficking in Crack Cocaine, in violation of R.C. 2923.03(A)(2) and R.C. 

2925.03(A)(1),(C)(4)(f), a felony of the first degree; Count 8 - Complicity to 

Trafficking in Crack Cocaine, in violation of R.C. 2923.03(A)(2) and R.C. 

2925.03(A)(1),(C)(4)(g), a felony of the first degree; Count 9 - Possession of 

Crack Cocaine, in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A), (C)(4)(f), a felony of the first 

degree; Count 10 - Possession of Cocaine, in violation of R.C. 

2925.11(A),(C)(4)(d), a felony of the second degree; Count 11 - Possession of 

Marihuana, in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A),(C)(3)(c), a felony of the fifth degree; 

Count 12 - Possessing Criminal Tools, in violation of R.C. 2923.24(A), a felony of 

the fifth degree; Count 13 - Having a Weapon While Under Disability, in violation 

of R.C. 2923.13(A)(3), a felony of the third degree; Count 14 - Possession of 

Crack Cocaine in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A),(C)(4)(e), a felony of the first 

degree; Count 15 – Possession of Cocaine, in violation of R.C. 

2925.11(A),(C)(4)(d), a felony of the second degree; Count 16 - Possession of 

Marihuana, in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A),(C)(3)(c), a felony of the fifth degree; 

Count 17 - Aggravated Possession of Drugs, in violation of R.C. 
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2925.11(A),(C)(1)(c), a felony of the second degree; Count 18 - Aggravated 

Possession of Drugs, in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A),(C)(1)(a), a felony of the 

fifth degree; Count 19 – Possessing Criminal Tools, in violation of R.C. 

2923.24(A), a felony of the fifth degree; Count 20 - Possession of Cocaine in 

violation of R.C. 2925.11(A),(C)(4)(b), a felony of the fourth degree; Count 21 - 

Tampering With Evidence, in violation of R.C. 2921.12(A)(1), a felony of the 

third degree; Count 22 - Participating in Criminal Gang, in violation of R.C. 

2923.42(A)(B), a felony of the second degree; and Count 23 - Engaging in a 

Pattern of Corrupt Activity, in violation of R.C. 2923.32(A)(1), a felony of the 

first degree. The Charge of Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity alleged 

numerous different incidents of corrupt activity beyond the indicted offenses. 

Additionally, Counts 2-7 of the indictment contained specifications alleging that 

the offenses were committed within the vicinity of a school, and Counts 8-9 

contained Major Drug Offender specifications. 

{¶35} Stewart was arrested on July 27, 2007. On July 30, 2007 Stewart 

was arraigned and pled not guilty to all counts of the indictment. Bond was set at 

$2,000,000.00, no 10%, cash or surety. 

{¶36} A jury trial was held in this matter in April-May, 2008. At the 

conclusion of the trial, Stewart was found guilty on all twenty-three counts of the 
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indictment. Stewart was sentenced to a total prison term of thirty-six years and 

eleven months. 

{¶37} Stewart now appeals, asserting three assignments of error. 

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I

THE TRIAL COURT VIOLATED MR. STEWART’S RIGHT 

TO CONFRONTATION BY ADMITTING TESTIMONIAL 

EVIDENCE OF OUT-OF-COURT DECLARANTS, 

THROUGH RECORDINGS AND POLICE OFFICER 

TESTIMONY. 

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II

THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION AND 

CONSTITUTIONALLY ERRED IN ADMITTING EVIDENCE 

OF CO-DEFENDANT GUILTY PLEAS AS SUBSTANTIVE 

EVIDENCE AGAINST MR. STEWART AND ADMITTING 

TESTIMONY THAT THE CONDUCT OF THE GUILTY 

PLEAS WAS THE SAME CONDUCT CHARGED AGAINST 

MR. STEWART IN THIS CASE. 

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR III

THE EVIDENCE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT THE 

GUILTY VERDICTS AS TO COUNTS NINE THROUGH 13, 

22, AND 23, AND THOSE VERDICTS WERE AGAINST THE 

MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE. 

{¶38} For ease of discussion, we will address Stewart’s assignments of 

error out of order. 

Third Assignment of Error 

{¶39} In his third assignment of error, Stewart argues that his convictions 

were not supported by sufficient evidence and were against the manifest weight of 

the evidence. Reviewing a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence requires 
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this Court to examine the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution. 

In State v. Jenks (1991), 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 574 N.E.2d 492, the Ohio Supreme 

Court set forth the sufficiency of the evidence test as follows: 

[A]n appellate court’s function when reviewing the sufficiency of 

the evidence to support a criminal conviction is to examine the 

evidence admitted at trial and determine whether such evidence, 

if believed, would convince the average mind of the defendant’s 

guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 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, 61 Ohio St.3d at 273. 

{¶40} Alternatively, an appellate court’s function when reviewing the 

weight of the evidence is to determine whether the greater amount of credible 

evidence supports the verdict. State v. Thompkins (1997), 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387, 

678 N.E.2d 541, 1997-Ohio-52. In reviewing whether the trial court judgment was 

against the weight of the evidence, the appellate court sits as a “thirteenth juror” 

and examines the conflicting testimony. Id. In doing so, this court must review the 

entire record, weigh the evidence and all of the reasonable inferences, consider the 

credibility of witnesses, and determine whether in resolving conflicts in the 

evidence, the factfinder “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. Andrews 3rd Dist. No. 1-05-70, 2006-Ohio-3764 citing State v. 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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Martin (1983), 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717; Thompkins, 78 Ohio 

St.3d at 387. 

{¶41} It is important to remember that the credibility to be afforded the 

testimony of the witnesses is to be determined by the trier of fact. State v. Dye

(1998), 82 Ohio St.3d 323, 329, 695 N.E.2d 763, 1998-Ohio-234; State v. Frazier

(1995), 73 Ohio St.3d 323, 652 N.E.2d 1000, 1995-Ohio-235. 

{¶42} In the present case, Stewart only argues as to the sufficiency and 

weight of the evidence supporting Count 9 – Possession of Crack Cocaine, Count 

10 – Possession of Cocaine, Count 11 – Possession of Marihuana, Count 12 – 

Possessing Criminal Tools, Count 13 – Having a Weapon While Under Disability, 

Count 20 - Possession of Cocaine, Count 21 - Tampering With Evidence, Count 

22 – Participating in Criminal Gang, and Count 23 – Engaging in a Pattern of 

Corrupt Activity. 

{¶43} With respect to Counts 9-13, Stewart argues that there was not 

sufficient evidence introduced at trial to prove that he had possession of the items 

found at 112 1⁄2 East North Street. Possession is defined as “having control over a 

thing or substance, but may not be inferred solely from mere access to the thing or 

substance through ownership or occupation of the premises upon which the thing 

or substance is found.” R.C. 2925.01(K); State v. Smith, 3d Dist. No. 8-04-40, 

2005-Ohio-3233, ¶ 6. Courts have found constructive possession of drugs when 
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the evidence proves that the defendant was able to exercise dominion and control 

over the contraband. State v. Wolery (1976), 46 Ohio St.2d 316, 332, 348 N.E.2d 

351. Dominion and control may be proven by circumstantial evidence alone. State 

v. Trembly (2000), 137 Ohio App.3d 134, 141, 738 N.E.2d 93. 

{¶44} Stewart still contends that there was insufficient evidence introduced 

at trial to prove that he resided in the apartment at 112 1⁄2 East North Street or that 

he had possession of the drugs found there. Specifically, Stewart relies on the 

testimony of Novo, who claimed that from February 2006 to August 2006, Stewart 

resided with her. However, Novo stated that during the time she resided with 

Stewart she worked third shift and was unclear in her testimony as to how often 

Stewart was actually home. 

{¶45} Alternatively, Johnson testified that Stewart resided at the 112 1⁄2 

East North Street apartment with her. At trial, Johnson admitted that Stewart was 

often absent from the apartment they shared while he was getting more drugs from 

the Toledo area. Moreover, during the search of 112 1⁄2 East North Street, officers 

found mail addressed to Stewart, using the 112 1⁄2 East North Street address, 

including mail from Stewart’s mother and a hospital bill where Stewart gave the 

112 1⁄2 East North Street address as his own. Additionally, Stewart admitted he 

lived at 112 1⁄2 East North Street during a phone call with Thomas. Moreover, 

Greg Green, another Fostoria drug dealer testified that it was his practice to have 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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someone else put their name on an apartment lease, to avoid being charged if an 

apartment was ever raided. Green stated that was a common practice to protect 

oneself. 

{¶46} Johnson also gave copious testimony concerning where Stewart kept 

the drugs in the apartment. Stewart brought the drugs into the house, determined 

prices, and handled the money. Johnson testified that Stewart had almost sole 

control over the drugs and the money. When Johnson made a drug sale, she did so 

at a price set by Stewart and then turned the money over to Stewart. Additionally, 

Johnson testified that she did not know how to cook the powder cocaine into crack 

cocaine, and that Stewart was responsible for cooking the crack with the supplies 

found in the home. 

{¶47} Additionally, Johnson testified as to where Stewart was hiding 

during the drug raid of 112 1⁄2 East North Street. It appears that Stewart had just 

returned to the apartment prior to the police executing the search warrant. This 

can be inferred both from Johnson’s testimony and the fact that drugs were 

scattered throughout the kitchen, despite the fact that drugs were usually kept out 

of sight in a bedroom dresser. Stewart returned from one of his trips with more 

drugs, let himself and his friends into the apartment and set the drugs around the 

kitchen, it was reasonable for the jury to consider all of this testimony when 
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determining whether Stewart resided in the apartment at 112 1⁄2 East North Street 

and controlled the drugs found during the search. 

{¶48} Finally, testimony was given that numerous pictures of Stewart and 

his friends were found at 112 1⁄2 East North Street. Stewart’s clothing and shoes 

were found at 112 1⁄2 East North Street, including the Kermit jacket in which drugs 

were found. Johnson also testified that the guns found in the apartment belonged 

to Stewart and were kept there for protection. 

{¶49} It was within the province of the jury to believe Johnson. Moreover, 

it was a reasonable inference for the jury to choose to believe that Stewart was 

residing in the apartment with Johnson, and it would have been entirely reasonable 

for the jury to conclude that both Johnson and Novo believed Stewart was residing 

with them. Viewing all of the evidence, we cannot find that the jury clearly lost its 

way by finding that Stewart had possession of the drugs, weapons, and other items 

found at 112 1⁄2 East North Street, or that there was otherwise insufficient evidence 

to establish Stewart’s possession. 

{¶50} Stewart also challenges the weight and sufficiency of his convictions 

for Count 20 – Possession of Cocaine and Count 21 – Tampering with Evidence. 

Specifically, Stewart argues that there was insufficient evidence that the bags of 

cocaine found just outside Trooper Vitte’s patrol car belonged to Stewart. 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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{¶51} To establish constructive possession, the evidence must prove that 

the defendant was able to exercise dominion and control over the contraband. 

State v. Wolery (1976), 46 Ohio St.2d 316, 332, 348 N.E.2d 351. As previously 

stated, dominion and control may be proven by circumstantial evidence alone. 

State v. Trembly (2000), 137 Ohio App.3d 134, 141, 738 N.E.2d 93. 

Circumstantial evidence that the defendant was located in very close proximity to 

readily usable drugs may show constructive possession. State v. Barr (1993), 86 

Ohio App.3d 227, 235, 620 N.E.2d 242, 247-248. 

{¶52} Tampering with Evidence is defined in R.C. 2921.12 as follows: 

(A) No person, knowing that an official proceeding or 

investigation is in progress, or is about to be or likely to be 

instituted, shall do any of the following: 

(1) Alter, destroy, conceal, or remove any record, document, or 

thing, with purpose to impair its value or availability as 

evidence in such proceeding or investigation . . 

{¶53} Trooper Vitte testified that nothing was located in the sally port prior 

to him entering the port, and that no one had access to the port while he took 

Stewart into the station and remained in the station. As previously stated, 

dominion and control may be proven by circumstantial evidence alone. State v. 

Trembly (2000), 137 Ohio App.3d 134, 141, 738 N.E.2d 93. 

{¶54} Therefore, it was a logical conclusion for Trooper Vitte to reason 

that Stewart attempted to discard the drugs while he was fidgeting on the way to 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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the police station. Accordingly, we cannot find that the jury lost its way or 

otherwise could not have reached the same conclusion as to Stewart’s ownership 

of the cocaine, and as to his intent to discard the cocaine in the sally port. 

{¶55} We turn next to Stewart’s challenge to Count 22 - Participation in a 

Criminal Gang. Participation in a Criminal Gang is defined by R.C. 2923.42(A) 

as follows: 

No person who actively participates in a criminal gang, with 

knowledge that the criminal gang engages in or has engaged in a 

pattern of criminal gang activity, shall purposely promote, 

further, or assist any criminal conduct, as defined in division I 

of section 2923.41 of the Revised Code, or shall purposely 

commit or engage in any act that constitutes criminal conduct, 

as defined in division I of section 2923.41 of the Revised Code. 

{¶56} Other Ohio courts have found that, “[a]s applied to R.C. 2923.42(A), 

the common and ordinary meaning of ‘actively participates in a criminal gang’ is 

involvement with a criminal gang that is more than nominal or passive.” State v. 

Stallings, 150 Ohio App.3d 5, 11, 778 N.E.2d 1110, 2002-Ohio-5942. The Ninth 

District Court of Appeals also found in Stallings that “for a defendant to be 

criminally liable under R.C. 2923.42(A), he would also have to be criminally 

liable as an aider or abettor to a crime committed by a fellow gang member or 

members.” Stallings, 150 Ohio App.3d at 12. 

{¶57} A criminal gang is defined by R.C. 2923.41 as follows: 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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(A) “Criminal gang” means an ongoing formal or informal 

organization, association, or group of three or more persons to 

which all of the following apply: 

(1) It has as one of its primary activities the commission of one 

or more of the offenses listed in division (B) of this section. 

(2) It has a common name or one or more common, identifying 

signs, symbols, or colors. 

(3) The persons in the organization, association, or group 

individually or collectively engage in or have engaged in a 

pattern of criminal gang activity. 

R.C. 2923.41(C) defines criminal conduct 

“Criminal conduct” means the commission of, an attempt to 

commit, a conspiracy to commit, complicity in the commission 

of, or solicitation, coercion, or intimidation of another to 

commit, attempt to commit, conspire to commit, or be in 

complicity in the commission of an offense listed in division 

(B)(1)(a), (b), or (c) of this section or an act that is committed by 

a juvenile and that would be an offense, an attempt to commit 

an offense, a conspiracy to commit an offense, complicity in the 

commission of, or solicitation, coercion, or intimidation of 

another to commit, attempt to commit, conspire to commit, or 

be in complicity in the commission of an offense listed in division 

(B)(1)(a), (b), or (c) of this section if committed by an adult. 

{¶58} In the present case, both Johnson and Green, an admitted member of 

the Gear Gang Crips for a period of 14-15 years, identified Stewart as a member of 

the Gear Gang Crips. Moreover, the jury heard the testimony of Officer Doug 

Allen with the City of Toledo, Division of Police Gang Youth Crimes Unit. 

Officer Allen testified extensively about gang identification, and was certified as 

an expert in criminal gang identification. Allen testified that several people 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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involved in the investigation leading to Stewart’s convictions were known by the 

Toledo Police as gang members, including: Stewart, McGhee, Burris, Aaron 

Hoskins, and Green. 

{¶59} Alexa Johnson testified that Stewart had various tattoos that 

evidenced his identification with the Gear Gang Crips. In addition to Johnson’s 

general testimony, Officer Allen also identified several of Stewart’s tattoos as 

indicating membership in the Gear Gang Crips, including a tattoo of the number 

“773,” a numerical representation of GGC, for Gear Gang Crips. (Tr.p. 2498).4

 

{¶60} During the time Stewart lived with Johnson, she testified that she 

knew that Thomas, Burris, Green, Chris Kincade, Hoskins and others who visited 

Stewart at the apartment were members of the Gear Gang Crips. Johnson also 

testified that these Gear Gang Crips members were also people to whom she and

 

4

 Allen testified that gang members often used numbers corresponding to the position of letters in the 

alphabet to abbreviate their gang names in numerical form, i.e. A=1, B=2, C=3 . . . G=7. 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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Stewart regularly supplied drugs. Detective Don Joseph also testified that Cory 

McGhee, a self-admitted member of the Gear Gang Crips identified those same 

people as being gang members. This information was corroborated by phone 

records introduced at trial, showing the interactions between all of the members of 

the Gear Gang Crips. 

{¶61} Officer Allen also identified some of the photographs of Stewart and 

his friends, found in 112 1⁄2 East North Street as depicting Stewart and others 

making gang symbols with their hands. Apparently, the pictures of Stewart and 

others were taken at night clubs, where patrons could choose to pose in front of 

various backdrops. In the pictures, Stewart and others are making gang symbols 

and in some cases, showing gang related tattoos. Johnson testified that she often 

knew Stewart to make gang symbols to show his participation in the Gear Gang 

Crips. 

{¶62} Stewart was also engaged in drug sales with other members of the 

Gear Gang Crips. Detective Boyer testified at trial that Stewart was an upper level 

supplier of drugs. As Johnson stated, referring to herself and Stewart, when it 

came to drugs “everybody usually comes to us.” (Tr.p. 1779). When asked to 

elaborate on who “everybody” referred to, Johnson named the following: 

Christopher Kincade, Marquette Dean, Ronald Johnson, Green, Leslee Delarosa 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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(“Delarosa”), Derrick Noles, and Hoskins. In fact, Johnson testified as follows 

about the role she and Stewart played as drug suppliers: 

Q. Okay. So what were you telling this guy when you said, you 

know, “everybody comes to us”? What did you mean as part of 

the conversation with him? 

A. Darrion - - me and Darrion, we were the main people that 

people bought drugs off of. 

Q. So you were the main people? 

A. Yes. 

(Tr.p. 1780). 

{¶63} Johnson further testified that Stewart went to Toledo every other day 

to get cocaine; and that on each trip, Stewart would get 4.5 ounces of powder 

cocaine. Johnson testified that sometimes she would go with Stewart to get the 

powder cocaine from Toledo, but that sometimes she would stay in Fostoria to sell 

the cocaine that they already had. Johnson stated that James Burris (“Burris”) or 

Thomas would then accompany Stewart to Toledo to get drugs if Johnson did not 

go with him. 

{¶64} Johnson also testified that she and Stewart regularly sold drugs to 

Greg Green and Leslee Delarosa. Johnson testified that she would supply drugs to 

Green and Delarosa every day. Johnson also testified that she and Stewart 

supplied Ronald Johnson, Marquette Dean, Aaron Hoskins, and Anthony 

McDuffey with drugs every day or every other day. Johnson also named 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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numerous others who she and Stewart supplied less frequently including Shane 

McDuffey, Corey McGhee, William Jackson, Christopher Kincade, and Taneel 

Lee. 

{¶65} Stewart was also aware that the persons he was supplying with drugs 

were selling drugs. Leslee Delarosa testified that she and Green would purchase 

drugs from Stewart or Johnson and then turn around and sell those drugs. 

Delarosa stated that Stewart was aware that she was selling the drugs she 

purchased from him, and that sometimes, she would sell drugs with Stewart. 

Delarosa testified that Stewart started out selling drugs on the street, but stopped, 

as follows: 

Q. . . . Describe for us, if you know, why the defendant quit 

selling drugs on the street? 

A. Because he started getting larger amounts of crack and 

everybody bought dope off of him so there was no need for him 

to on the street. 

Q. When you say “everybody bought dope off of him”, can you 

explain who you mean when you say everybody? 

A. I mean, like, all of my co-defendants, from Anthony 

McDuffey, Gregory Green, myself, uhm, Ronald Johnson, uhm, 

Marquette Dean, uhm. . 

(Tr.p. 2161-2162). 

{¶66} Delarosa was also able to testify as to what other co-defendants did 

with the drugs they purchased from Stewart and Johnson: 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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Q. . . . if you know personally, what Mr. Hoskins did with 

any drugs he would’ve bought from the defendant. 

A. Selling ‘em. 

Q. And where did Mr. Hoskins sell his drugs? 

A. North Poplar Street and Echo Village. 5

*** 

Q. Do you have any personal knowledge of what Mr. Dean 

would do with the drugs he bought from the defendant? 

A. Sell ‘em 

(Tr.p. 2166-2168). 

Q. Did you ever see any drug transaction between the 

defendant and Derrick Noles? 

*** 

A. Yes. Yes, I have. 

Q. How many times would you say you’ve seen drug 

transactions between the defendant and Derrick Noles? 

A. About five times. 

Q. And describe for us what those transactions consisted of? 

*** 

A. Derrick Noles was buying dope from Darrion Stewart. 

Q. And what quantities? 

 

5

 Throughout the record, in the present case, the Fostoria Townhouses are also referred to as Echo Village. 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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A. Balls. 

Q. Do you know what, uhm, Mr. Noles did with the crack 

that he bought from the defendant? 

A. Sold it. 

Q. Where did he sell it? 

A. Out at Echo. 

(Tr.p. 2172-2173). 

Q. And how do you know Michael Thomas? 

A. Uhm, I bought weed off of him. 

*** 

Q. Did you ever see Mr. Thomas with the Defendant? 

A. Yes. 

*** 

Q. Did you ever see any drug transaction between Michael 

Thomas and the defendant? 

A. Uhm, I’ve seen Michael Thomas buy marijuana off of 

‘em. 

*** 

Q. What - - what, if you know, did Michael Thomas do with 

the drugs he bought from the defendant? 

A. Sold it. 

(Tr.p. 2173-2175). 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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Q. Did you ever see any drug transactions between Ronald 

Johnson and the defendant? 

A. Yes, I have. 

Q. What kind of transactions. 

A. Crack and weed. 

*** 

Q. Do you know what Ronald Johnson did with the drugs he 

bought from the defendant? 

A. He sold them. 

Q. And where at? 

A. Echo and North Poplar Street. 

(Tr.p. 2176-2177). 

{¶67} Delarosa testified that Anthony McDuffey also bought drugs, 

specifically, crack cocaine and marijuana off of Stewart. McDuffey would then 

sell these drugs at Echo Village and North Poplar Street. (Tr.p. 2178). 

{¶68} According to Johnson, Stewart was a local supplier of drugs during 

2006-2007 in Fostoria. The other supplier was Burris. Stewart testified that if 

they did not have the drugs requested by a customer at a given time, they would 

send them to Burris, who would usually be at the Fostoria Townhouses selling 

drugs out of his home there. Johnson stated that there were times where she and 

Stewart would get marijuana from Burris. 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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{¶69} Accordingly, we cannot find that the jury lost its way or that there 

was otherwise insufficient evidence to establish that Stewart was a member of a 

criminal gang and was participating in criminal conduct with that gang, as the 

testimony at trial clearly indicated that Stewart was engaged in the business of 

selling drugs with other members of the Gear Gang Crips. 

{¶70} Stewart was also convicted of one count of Engaging in a Pattern of 

Corrupt Activity, which alleged numerous instances of corrupt activity. 

Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity is defined by R.C. 2923.32(A)(1), as 

follows: 

(A)(1) No person employed by, or associated with, any 

enterprise shall conduct or participate in, directly or indirectly, 

the affairs of the enterprise through a pattern of corrupt activity 

or the collection of an unlawful debt. 

R.C. 2923.31(I) defines “enterprise” as the following: 

any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited 

partnership, corporation, trust, union, government agency, or 

other legal entity, or any organization, association, or group of 

persons associated in fact although not a legal entity. 

‘Enterprise’ includes illicit as well as licit enterprises.

Finally, R.C. 2923.31(E) defines “pattern of corrupt activity” to mean: 

two or more incidents of corrupt activity, whether or not there 

has been a prior conviction, that are related to the affairs of the 

same enterprise, are not isolated, and are not so closely related 

to each other and connected in time and place that they 

constitute a single event. 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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{¶71} R.C. 2923.32 defines “corrupt activity” as “engaging in, attempting 

to engage in, conspiring to engage in, or soliciting, coercing, or intimidating 

another person to engage in * * * conduct constituting” one of the predicate 

offenses listed in R.C. 2923.31(I)(2). See, State v. Adkins, 136 Ohio App.3d 765, 

737 N.E.2d 1021, 2000-Ohio-1656; State v. Schlosser, 79 Ohio St.3d 329, 335, 

681 N.E.2d 911, 915-916, 1998-Ohio-716. 

{¶72} Stewart was charged, in his indictment with numerous instances of 

corrupt activity, including both charged and uncharged conduct. Some of the 

conduct was proven through introduction of a judgment entry of conviction. In 

Seneca County Common Pleas Court Case No 10295, Stewart was convicted of 

one count of Possession of Crack Cocaine, in violation of R.C. 2925.11, a felony 

of the fourth degree. A copy of this judgment was introduced and Stewart was 

identified. 

{¶73} In Wood County Common Pleas Court case number 04CR0247, 

Stewart was convicted of Trafficking in Cocaine, in violation of R.C. 2925.03, a 

felony of the third degree. A copy of Stewart’s conviction in case number 

04CR0247 was submitted into evidence and Stewart was identified. Detective 

Boyer also testified that the Wood County conviction would be sufficient to place 

Stewart under disability where he could not legally own a firearm. 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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{¶74} Conduct charged in the previous counts of the indictment was also 

charged in the indictment as instances of corrupt activity, including the aiding and 

abetting of Johnson in the sale of various drugs as charged in Counts 2-8 of the 

indictment. Conduct relating the search of 112 1⁄2 North East Street was also 

charged as an instance of corrupt activity, where Johnson and Stewart were jointly 

in possession of the drugs found at 112 1⁄2 East North Street. 

{¶75} Moreover, Stewart engaged in numerous other instances of corrupt 

activity with other conspirators. As previously stated, Stewart was an upper level 

drug supplier, responsible for supplying many of the street level drug dealers in 

Fostoria. Ralph McCray, a confidential informant made two controlled drug 

purchases from persons outside of the Fostoria Townhouses. While making those 

purchases, McCray was working with Detective Boyer and Detective Jason 

Windsor. It was later determined that Ronald Johnson and Marquette Dean sold 

.14 grams of crack cocaine to McCray on August 9, 2006. During that time 

period, it was testified to that Ronald Johnson and Dean purchased their supply of 

crack cocaine from Stewart. 

{¶76} Testimony was also given that in August 2006 Burris and another 

male were reported, by an informant, to be heading southbound on Interstate 75 (I75), toward Fostoria in a green Marquis. Prior to this occasion, on August 30, 

2006 Burris and Stewart were stopped, heading north on I-75 in this same vehicle. 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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Upon approaching the vehicle, Stewart was found to be covered in “shake,” which 

is a name given to small pieces of marijuana that may fall out of a bag of 

marijuana or marijuana cigarette. Stewart was also found to have over $1,600 on 

his person at the time of the stop. Stewart received a minor misdemeanor citation 

for the possession of marijuana. 

{¶77} Although numerous other instances of corrupt activity were charged 

and proven, as Stewart conceded in his brief “Mr. Stewart may very well have 

been guilty of individual drug sales and some sort of business relationship with 

Johnson.” In fact, the business relationship with Johnson would alone be 

sufficient to convince the average mind of Stewart’s guilt of Engaging in a Pattern 

of Corrupt Activity beyond a reasonable doubt. Accordingly, this Court cannot 

find that the jury lost its way in finding Stewart guilty of the offense or that the 

evidence was otherwise insufficient. Accordingly, Stewart’s third assignment of 

error is overruled. 

First Assignment of Error 

{¶78} In his first assignment of error, Stewart argues that the trial court 

erred in admitting video and audio recordings of persons who did not testify at 

trial because these admissions violated the Confrontation Clause. Specifically, 

Stewart argues that the trial court erred in allowing Detective Boyer to testify to 

statements made by co-conspirator Corey McGhee and in allowing a tape to be 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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played of calls made by co-conspirator Michael Thomas from jail. In his reply 

brief, Stewart argues that he is challenging “each and every instance the trial court 

admitted testimonial statements in violation of the Confrontation Clause.” 

However, Stewart did not make any argument with respect to all of these claimed 

additional errors, as required by Appellate R. 16.6

 Accordingly, all of Stewart’s 

alleged other instances will be discussed only generally.

{¶79} As an initial matter we note that decisions regarding the admissibility 

of evidence are within the sound discretion of the trial court and will not be 

reversed absent a showing of an abuse of discretion. State v. Yohey (March 18, 

1996), 3d Dist. No. 9-95-46, citing State v. Graham (1979), 58 Ohio St.2d 350, 

390 N.E.2d 805 and State v. Lundy (1987), 41 Ohio App.3d 163, 535 N.E.2d 664. 

An abuse of discretion “connotes more than an error of law or judgment; it implies 

that the court's attitude is unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable.” Blakemore 

v. Blakemore (1983), 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219, 450 N.E.2d 1140. 

 

6

 App. R. 16 requires the following components to be included in an Appellant’s brief: 

(3) A statement of the assignments of error presented for review, with reference to 

the place in the record where each error is reflected. 

*** 

(7) An argument containing the contentions of the appellant with respect to each 

assignment of error presented for review and the reasons in support of the 

contentions, with citations to the authorities, statutes, and parts of the record on 

which appellant relies. The argument may be preceded by a summary. 

Although Stewart states that he was prohibited by the page limitation from doing more than providing 

examples of his claimed error, we note that Stewart did not even attempt to seek an extension of the page 

limitation. Nor, did Stewart provide even a general list of his claimed errors. 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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{¶80} The Sixth Amendment provides in pertinent part: “in all criminal 

prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right * * * to be confronted with the 

witnesses against him * * *.” Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution; 

State v. Stahl, 111 Ohio St.3d 186, 189, 855 N.E.2d 834, 2006-Ohio-5482. 

{¶81} In Crawford v. Washington (2004), 541 U.S. 36, 68, 124 S.Ct. 1354, 

the United States Supreme Court held that “[w]here testimonial evidence is at 

issue, however, the Sixth Amendment demands what the common law required: 

unavailability and a prior opportunity for cross examination.” The United States 

Supreme Court did not define the term “testimonial,” but instead gave examples 

including: “all ex-parte in-court testimony or its functional equivalent, extrajudicial 

statements contained in formalized testimonial materials” (e.g., affidavits, 

depositions, prior testimony, confessions); and a class of statements that are made 

“under circumstances which would lead an objective witness reasonably to believe 

that the statement would be available for use at a later trial.” State v. Muttart, 116 

Ohio St.3d 5, 17, 875 N.E.2d 944, 2007-Ohio-5267, citing Stahl, 111 Ohio St.3d at 

191, quoting Crawford, 541 U.S. at 51-52. After Crawford, the key issue under 

the Confrontation Clause is whether a statement is testimonial in nature. See 

Muttart, 116 Ohio St.3d 5, ¶ 59 (only testimonial statements implicate the 

Confrontation Clause). 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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{¶82} The Muttart Court recognized that “‘[w]here nontestimonial hearsay 

is at issue, it is wholly consistent with the Framers' design to afford the States 

flexibility in their development of hearsay law-as does Roberts, and as would an 

approach that exempted such statements from Confrontation Clause scrutiny all 

together.’” Muttart, 116 Ohio St.3d 5 citing Stahl, 111 Ohio St.3d at 190, and 

Crawford, 541 U.S. at 68; see also Davis v. Washington (2006), 547 U.S. 813, 126 

S.Ct. 2266, 165 L.Ed.2d 224. “In fact, in the wake of Davis there is a significant 

question about whether the Confrontation Clause analysis applies to 

nontestimonial statements.” Muttart, 116 Ohio St.3d at 16-17. 

{¶83} The United States Supreme Court, in Davis, found that with respect 

to testimonial statements, “[o]nly statements of this sort cause the declarant to be a 

“witness” within the meaning of the Confrontation Clause. It is the testimonial 

character of the statement that separates it from other hearsay that, while subject to 

traditional limitations upon hearsay evidence, is not subject to the Confrontation 

Clause.” Davis, 547 U.S. at 821 (internal citations omitted). 

{¶84} Accordingly, in Davis, the United States Supreme Court formulated 

what courts around the country have come to refer to as the primary-purpose test 

(see, e.g., People v. Geier (2007), 41 Cal.4th 555, 61 Cal.Rptr.3d 580, 161 P.3d 

104; State v. Kirby (2006), 280 Conn. 361, 908 A.2d 506; State v. Siler, 116 Ohio 

St.3d 39, 876 N.E.2d 534, 2007-Ohio-5637). “Statements are nontestimonial when 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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made in the course of police interrogation under circumstances objectively 

indicating that the primary purpose of the interrogation is to enable police 

assistance to meet an ongoing emergency. They are testimonial when the 

circumstances objectively indicate that there is no such ongoing emergency, and 

that the primary purpose of the interrogation is to establish or prove past events 

potentially relevant to later criminal prosecution.” Davis, 547 U.S. at 822. 

{¶85} Stewart’s claimed errors can be broken down into three categories of 

evidence: statements of co-conspirators to law enforcement, recordings of drug 

transactions, and recordings of co-conspirators’ phone calls from jail. We turn first 

to the statements of co-conspirators to law enforcement, specifically, the 

statements of Corey McGhee. McGhee was incarcerated on his own charges when 

he requested to speak with Detective Boyer. In order to get consideration for his 

charges, McGhee offered to assist in the State’s investigation of Stewart. At trial, 

Boyer testified that McGhee told him that he could purchase drugs from either 

Stewart or Burris. 

{¶86} Specifically, McGhee’s statements to Detective Boyer were given in 

the context of how McGee became a confidential informant in this case. We are 

especially mindful that, McGhee approached law enforcement, and made 

statements, not as testimony or formal statements, but as a request to help to get 

consideration for his charges. Accordingly, because hearsay is defined as “a 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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statement, other than one made by the declarant while testifying at the trial or 

hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted,” and 

McGhee’s statement was not offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted, but 

instead, how he became involved in the investigation, the confrontation clause is 

not implicated. See Evid. R. 801(C); State v. Stiles, 3rd Dist. No. 1-08-12, 2009-

Ohio-89. Moreover, we cannot find these statements testimonial in nature. 

{¶87} The same analysis also applies to another statement McGhee made to 

Detective Boyer, which was made after one undercover drug purchase was made, 

but prior to the start of a second purchase. Specifically, Detective Boyer testified 

that he received a call from McGhee. McGhee stated that Burris would be arriving 

in Fostoria with approximately nine ounces of cocaine or crack cocaine. Detective 

Boyer testified that he responded to McGhee’s assertion by telling McGhee to call 

him when Burris arrived back in Fostoria. 

{¶88} After McGhee made contact with Detective Boyer, Burris’ car was 

subsequently stopped and drugs were recovered. Again, we find that in this case, 

McGhee’s statements were not introduced for the truth of the matter asserted, but 

instead were introduced to explain why Detective Boyer had reason to stop Burris’ 

car and were not made in anticipation of any litigation or made under the 

assumption that they would be used in litigation. 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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{¶89} Next, we turn our attention to the recordings of drug transactions 

which were introduced at trial. As an initial matter, we note that Stewart does not 

point to any one statement made during a drug transaction in this case, or any 

specific transaction which would violate the confrontation clause. Instead, Stewart 

generally claims that statements contained in these recordings may violate the 

confrontation clause. 

{¶90} In our review of the recordings of drug transactions introduced at 

trial, we find the contents of those records to be solely concerned with the drug 

transaction at hand, or future transactions. Other Ohio Courts have considered 

such recordings and held that “the tape recordings of the actual drug transactions 

are not hearsay.” State v. Sloan, 8th Dist. No. 79832, 2002-Ohio-2669. Moreover, 

federal courts have uniformly held that the introduction of such tapes does not 

violate the Confrontation Clause or any evidence rules governing hearsay. Such 

statements are merely necessary to establish the context of the defendant’s 

statements and responses, and therefore are not offered to prove the truth of the 

matter asserted. United States v. Price (11th Cir.1986), 792 F.2d 994, 996; United 

States v. Lemonakis (D.C.Cir.1973), 485 F.2d 941, 948, cert. denied (1974), 415 

U.S. 989. See also State v. Hill (Dec. 31, 1990), Fifth Dist. No. CA-8094. 

Consequently, we can find no confrontation clause violation stemming from the 

introduction of the recordings of drug transactions. 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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{¶91} Turning next to the recorded phone calls made by various coconspirators from jail, we note that five calls made by Michael Thomas and one 

call made by McGhee were introduced at trial. The call made by McGhee was 

made on January 15, 2006 to his mother’s home, where McGhee spoke with his 

brother. At the time of the call, McGhee was incarcerated in the Seneca County 

Jail on a charge for Possession of Cocaine. In that call, McGhee talked about 

Stewart “cornering the market.” (Tr.p. 1068). 

{¶92} Calls were made by Thomas on March 21, 2006, March 24, 2006 and 

March 31, 2006 while he was incarcerated in the Seneca County Jail on charges of 

Possession of Crack Cocaine. That charge resulted out of the March 14, 2006 

search of 112 1⁄2 East North Street, at which time Thomas was searched and found 

in possession of crack cocaine. 

{¶93} One of the March 21, 2006 phone calls was to Stewart. During that 

call, Thomas and Stewart discussed getting a lawyer for Thomas. They also 

discussed the search of 112 1⁄2 East North Street on March 14, 2006. At the time of 

the search, Thomas was asleep on the couch. Stewart also admitted that he was in 

112 1⁄2 East North Street, hiding on the back porch, in a closet, at the time of the 

search. Officers checked the closet, but found the door knob locked and assumed 

that no one was in the closets, or that those areas belonged to other apartments in 

the building. 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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{¶94} Thomas and Stewart also discussed their idea that neither of them 

could be charged with respect to the drugs found in 112 1⁄2 East North Street 

because neither of their names were on the lease. However, Stewart admitted, on 

the call, that his address was “112,” “and a half,” “yeah.” (Tr.p. 968). Thomas 

made another call to Stewart on March 21, 2006 where they discussed mostly 

social plans and people they knew. The third call on March 21, 2006 was made to 

Thomas’ mother and involved a discussion of family matters and Stewart’s plans 

to get him a lawyer. 

{¶95} The March 24, 2006 and March 31, 2006 calls were made to Burris. 

During those calls, Thomas expressed his dissatisfaction with Stewart’s failure to 

get him a lawyer. Those calls did not contain much additional information. 

{¶96} We cannot find that these recorded calls are testimonial in nature. 

Nothing indicates that “the primary purpose of the interrogation is to establish or 

prove past events potentially relevant to later criminal prosecution,” as required by 

Davis, 547 U.S. at 822. In fact, none of the evidence Stewart claims was admitted 

in violation of the Confrontation Clause is testimonial in nature. Therefore, no 

Confrontation Clause violation can result. Accordingly, Stewart’s first assignment 

of error is overruled.
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Second Assignment of Error 

{¶97} In his second assignment of error, Stewart argues that the trial court 

erred in admitting evidence of his co-conspirator’s guilty pleas. As previously 

noted, decisions regarding the admissibility of evidence are within the sound 

discretion of the trial court and will not be reversed absent a showing of an abuse 

of discretion. State v. Yohey (March 18, 1996), 3d Dist. No. 9-95-46, citing State v. 

Graham (1979), 58 Ohio St.2d 350, 390 N.E.2d 805 and State v. Lundy (1987), 41 

Ohio App.3d 163, 535 N.E.2d 664. An abuse of discretion “connotes more than 

an error of law or judgment; it implies that the court's attitude is unreasonable, 

arbitrary, or unconscionable.” 

{¶98} It is a long-standing rule that information that a co-defendant has 

pleaded guilty to or has been convicted of an offense stemming from the same 

facts or circumstances forming the basis of a prosecution against another is 

inadmissible as proof against the other. See Kazer v. Ohio (1831), 5 Ohio 280, 

281-282, 1831 WL 97. This is because evidence that another pleaded guilty to or 

was convicted of an offense stemming from the same facts or circumstances is not 

necessarily evidence that the other committed the same offense. Id.

{¶99} However, this is not to say that evidence of a co-defendant's guilty 

plea is never admissible. In some circumstances, evidence of a co-defendant's 

guilty plea may go to the jury if its use is limited to other purposes such as 
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impeachment, see, e.g., United States v. King (C.A.5, 1974), 505 F.2d 602, or to 

show that the state has nothing to hide in its plea agreements. See, e.g., United 

States v. Hilton (C.A.11, 1985), 772 F.2d 783, 787. 

{¶100} The test most often used to determine the admissibility of a codefendant's guilty plea was set forth in United States v. Casto (C.A.5, 1989), 889 

F.2d 562, 567, and requires the court to consider (1) whether a limiting instruction 

was given, (2) whether there was a proper purpose in introducing the fact of the 

guilty plea, (3) whether the plea was improperly emphasized or used as 

substantive evidence of guilt, and (4) whether the introduction of the plea was 

invited by defense counsel.” State v. Smith, 148 Ohio App.3d 274. 275-276, 772 

N.E.2d 1225, 2002-Ohio-3114.

{¶101} In the present case, numerous indictments, pleas, and sentences 

were introduced at trial. However, we note that these documents were not 

introduced per se as substantive evidence of Stewart’s guilt. Instead, these 

documents were introduced to show the behavior of co-defendants in proving an 

enterprise engaged in corrupt activity. For example, information concerning a codefendant was not introduced to show that because a co-defendant sold drugs, 

Stewart must have as well. Instead, the information was introduced to show that 

Stewart sold drugs to a particular co-defendant, who then went and sold drugs to 
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someone else, proving an enterprise engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and 

also that Stewart was part of a criminal gang engaged in criminal conduct. 

{¶102} Johnson and Delarosa testified that Stewart and Burris were the 

sole suppliers of drugs to certain persons in the Fostoria area during the time 

period covered by this case. They also testified who Stewart sold drugs to, and 

those persons turned around and re-sold those drugs. Therefore, copies of codefendant’s guilty pleas were reasonably introduced to show the admitted conduct 

of these co-defendants with the drugs they purchased from Stewart. Finally, 

almost all of the information introduced through the indictments, pleas, and 

sentencing documents of other co-defendants was corroborated through 

independent testimony and would have been before the jury regardless of the 

introduction of these documents. 

{¶103} For example, Johnson, Delarosa, and Green all testified to their 

own criminal conduct at trial. All gave detailed descriptions of their drug 

dealings, and admitted that in exchange for their testimony, they had received 

some consideration for their charges. In addition to their own criminal conduct, 

Johnson, Delarosa, and Green testified to the general drug selling habits of other 

co-defendants including: Michael Thomas, Aaron Hoskins, Anthony McDuffey, 

Gregory Green, William Jackson, John White, Marquette Dean, Christopher 

Kincade, Corey McGhee, and Ronald Johnson. 
Case No. 13-08-18 

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{¶104} At trial, Delarosa offered substantial testimony regarding the endeffects of Stewart’s drug enterprise. Particularly, Delarosa testified that after 

Stewart sold drugs to each of these co-defendants they broke down the drugs into 

smaller quantities and re-sold the drugs. Delarosa’s testimony implicates these codefendants as part of an enterprise conducting criminal activity. 

{¶105} We are also mindful that, when we are considering a charge of 

Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, the State is required to prove that a 

person, associated with an enterprise, either directly or indirectly engaged in a 

pattern of corrupt activity. In the present case, the State did not only allege 

Stewart’s direct participation in corrupt activity, but also alleged his indirect 

participation through the resale of the drugs he sold to other co-defendants. 

{¶106} The Ohio Supreme Court has held that, 

Offenses under RICO, R.C. 2923.32, are mala prohibita, i.e., the 

acts are made unlawful for the good of the public welfare 

regardless of the state of mind. Thus, we agree with the Twelfth 

District's reasoning in State v. Haddix (1994), 93 Ohio App.3d 

470, 638 N.E.2d 1096, which stated, “Whether a defendant 

knowingly, recklessly or otherwise engages in a pattern of 

corrupt activity, the effect of his activities on the local and 

national economy is the same. Requiring the finding of a specific 

culpable mental state for a RICO violation obstructs the 

purpose of the statute * * *.” Id. at 477, 638 N.E.2d at 1101. 

Given these goals, we believe that the General Assembly 

intended to enhance the government's ability to quell organized 

crime by imposing strict liability for such acts. 

State v. Schlosser, 79 Ohio St.3d 329, 333. 
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{¶107} “To obtain convictions, [the state] had to prove that each defendant 

was voluntarily connected to that pattern and performed at least two acts in 

furtherance of it.” State v. Schlosser, 79 Ohio St. 3d at 334 citing United States v. 

Palmeri (C.A.3, 1980), 630 F.2d 192, 203. The RICO statute was designed to 

impose cumulative liability for the criminal enterprise. State v. Schlosser, 79 Ohio 

St. 3d at 334. 

{¶108} Therefore, it was essential that the State prove Stewart associated 

with the enterprise. However, it was not essential that the State prove Stewart 

knew of every instance of corrupt activity stemming from his corrupt activity, i.e. 

that he knew of every drug sale that resulted from his drug sales. In the present 

case, the State alleged Stewart’s indirect participation in corrupt activity through 

the “enterprise” of the Gear Gang Crips and others he was associated with through 

drug sales. Therefore, the convictions of those Stewart supplied with drugs, 

during the period testimony was given to establish that Stewart was these persons’ 

main supplier of drugs was directly relevant to Stewart’s indirect participation 

with the extended criminal enterprise that was involved in selling drugs in 

Fostoria.7

 Accordingly, we cannot find that the trial court abused its discretion in 

 

7

 This Court has asserted on several occasions that although not required, the introduction of a judgment 

entry of conviction is the preferred method of proving a predicate offense related to a charge of Engaging 

in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity. See State v. Lightner, 3rd Dist. No. 6-08-15, 2009-Ohio-2307; State v. 

Lightner, 3rd Dist No. 6-08-11 2009-Ohio-544. 
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allowing the introduction of the guilty pleas of Stewart’s co-defendants and 

Stewart’s second assignment of error is overruled. 

{¶109} Based on the foregoing, the May 14, 2008 Judgment Entry of the 

Court of Common Pleas, Seneca County, Ohio sentencing Stewart to a total prison 

term of thirty-six years and eleven months for his conviction on twenty-three 

charges is affirmed. 

Judgment Affirmed 

PRESTON, P.J. and WILLAMOWSKI, J., concur. 

/jlr