[Cite as State v. Perkins, 2019-Ohio-2049.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO 

SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT 

 SANDUSKY COUNTY 

State of Ohio Court of Appeals No. S-18-010 

 

 Appellee Trial Court No. 17CR524 

v. 

Daren M. Perkins DECISION AND JUDGMENT

Appellant Decided: May 24, 2019 

* * * * * 

 Timothy Braun, Sandusky County Prosecuting Attorney, and 

 Mark E. Mulligan, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for appellee. 

 James H. Ellis III, for appellant. 

* * * * * 

MAYLE, P.J. 

{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Daren M. Perkins, appeals the December 13, 2017 

judgment of the Sandusky County Court of Common Pleas, convicting him of illegal 

possession of chemicals for manufacture of drugs and sentencing him to a prison term of 

36 months. For the reasons that follow, we affirm. 
2.

I. Background 

{¶ 2} On May 13, 2017, Officer Jeffrey Bauer, of the Clyde Police Department, 

observed Daren Perkins operating a motor vehicle. Officer Bauer knew Perkins and was 

aware that his driver’s license was suspended, so he initiated a traffic stop. He issued 

Perkins a citation and told him that he would not be able to drive the vehicle to another 

location. Perkins asked if he could bring another licensed driver to the location to drive 

the vehicle, and Officer Bauer told him that he could. Perkins did not have a phone, so 

he left on foot to find someone. 

{¶ 3} While Perkins was away trying to find another licensed driver, dispatch 

called a tow company to remove the vehicle from the roadway. Officer Bauer, and other 

officers who were on the scene to assist him, began an inventory search of the vehicle. 

During that search, they discovered items that made them suspect that the vehicle was 

being used as a rolling methamphetamine lab: a plastic Orange Crush bottle with white 

residue, a plastic Mountain Dew bottle with white residue and a coffee filter twisted up 

inside, and a clear plastic bottle with sludge material. They enlisted the help of Special 

Agent Andrew Webb of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s (“BCI”) clandestine 

drug lab and marijuana suppression unit. 

{¶ 4} BCI tested the items found in the vehicle. The Mountain Dew bottle tested 

positive for the presence of hydrogen chloride acid, and the clear plastic bottle containing 

sludge material was consistent with the chemical waste produced when manufacturing 

methamphetamine and tested positive for the presence of ammonia gas. There was also 
3.

evidence of lithium extracted from a lithium battery. While meth itself was not found in 

the vehicle, the combination of these items and the presence of these chemicals 

confirmed for investigators their suspicions that meth was being produced in the vehicle. 

{¶ 5} Perkins was charged with illegal possession of chemicals for the 

manufacture of drugs, a violation of R.C. 2925.041(A). Following a jury trial—at which 

Perkins represented himself with a lawyer present for consultation—Perkins was 

convicted. He was immediately sentenced to a prison term of 36 months. He appealed 

and assigns the following errors for our review: 

 A. APPELLANT WAS DENIED EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF 

COUNSEL. 

 B. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY FAILING TO COMPLY 

WITH APPLICABLE STATUTES IN SENTENCING THE APPELLANT. 

II. Law and Analysis 

{¶ 6} In his first assignment of error, Perkins argues that trial counsel was 

ineffective for failing to file a motion to suppress evidence collected during the inventory 

search of his vehicle. In his second assignment of error, he argues that the trial court 

failed to comply with applicable sentencing statutes because it neglected to consider R.C. 

2929.11 and 2929.12 in fashioning his sentence. We consider each of these assignments 

in turn. 

 
4.

A. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel 

{¶ 7} Officer Bauer told Perkins that he could bring a licensed driver to the scene 

to drive his vehicle to another location. Nevertheless, while Perkins was in the process of 

looking for someone to drive his car, a tow truck was summoned, leading officers to 

conduct an inventory search of the vehicle. It was during this search that the 

incriminating items were discovered. Perkins complains that there was no additional 

criminal activity justifying a search of the vehicle, there was no reason to impound the 

vehicle given that it was anticipated that he would be returning with a licensed driver, and 

the vehicle was not, in fact, impounded. He, therefore, claims in his first assignment of 

error that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to file a motion to suppress the evidence 

discovered during the inventory search. 

{¶ 8} In response, the state argues only that Perkins’s ineffective-assistance claim 

fails because he represented himself at trial. It acknowledges that Perkins was appointed 

an attorney on May 15, 2017, a second attorney on June 29, 2017, and a third attorney on 

October 10, 2017, but it maintains that Perkins’s third attorney acted merely in a “standby 

capacity” at trial while Perkins represented himself. 

{¶ 9} In order to prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, an 

appellant must show that counsel’s conduct so undermined the proper functioning of the 

adversarial process that the trial court cannot be relied on as having produced a just 

result. State v. Shuttlesworth, 104 Ohio App.3d 281, 287, 661 N.E.2d 817 (7th 

Dist.1995). To establish ineffective assistance of counsel, an appellant must show 
5.

“(1) deficient performance of counsel, i.e., performance falling below an objective 

standard of reasonable representation, and (2) prejudice, i.e., a reasonable probability 

that, but for counsel’s errors, the proceeding’s result would have been different.” State v. 

Hale, 119 Ohio St.3d 118, 2008-Ohio-3426, 892 N.E.2d 864, ¶ 204, citing Strickland v. 

Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687-88, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). “A 

reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the 

outcome.” State v. Sanders, 94 Ohio St.3d 150, 151, 761 N.E.2d 18 (2002). 

{¶ 10} “The ‘failure to file a suppression motion does not constitute per se

ineffective assistance of counsel.’” State v. Spaulding, 151 Ohio St.3d 378, 2016-Ohio8126, 89 N.E.3d 554, ¶ 94, quoting Kimmelman v. Morrison, 477 U.S. 365, 384, 106 

S.Ct. 2574, 91 L.Ed.2d 305 (1986). Rather, the ordinary two-part Strickland analysis 

applies, requiring an appellant to prove both that there was a basis to suppress the 

evidence in question and that there was a reasonable probability that the result of the 

proceeding would have been different had the evidence been suppressed. Id. See also

State v. Carter, 2017-Ohio-7501, 96 N.E.3d 1046, ¶ 78 (7th Dist.) (recognizing that 

where a defendant claims error in trial counsel’s failure to file suppression motion, he or 

she must prove that there was valid ground to suppress the evidence and that there is a 

reasonable probability that the result of the trial would have been different had the 

evidence been suppressed). 

{¶ 11} “A claim of ineffective assistance of counsel in a direct appeal must be 

established by the evidence in the record.” Carter at ¶ 78. “[I]f establishing ineffective 
6.

assistance of counsel requires proof outside the record, then such claim is not 

appropriately considered on direct appeal.” Id., citing State v. Hartman, 93 Ohio St.3d 

274, 299, 754 N.E.2d 1150 (2001). 

{¶ 12} We first address the state’s argument that Perkins cannot prevail on his 

ineffective-assistance claim because he represented himself at trial. Under Crim.R. 

12(D), a motion to suppress evidence must be filed “within thirty-five days after 

arraignment or seven days before trial, whichever is earlier.” Although Perkins 

ultimately decided to represent himself at his December 12, 2017 trial, he was 

represented by counsel at his arraignment and during the 35 days that followed. We, 

therefore, reject the state’s contention that Perkins’s ineffective-assistance claim fails 

merely because he chose to represent himself at trial. 

{¶ 13} However, we find that Perkins’s ineffective-assistance claim fails 

nonetheless because Perkins has failed to demonstrate by the evidence in the record that 

there was a basis to suppress the evidence in question. We reach this conclusion based 

on (1) the absence in the record of any evidence from which we may conclude that the 

vehicle was towed contrary to standard police practice or that the decision to tow was a 

mere pretext to perform an evidentiary search; and (2) Perkins’s failure to cite any facts 

or law binding Officer Bauer to his initial inclination to allow him to search for a licensed 

driver. 

{¶ 14} First, for Fourth Amendment purposes, Ohio cases “treat the action of 

lawfully towing a defendant’s vehicle at the direction and control of a police officer upon 
7.

an arrest of the vehicle’s sole occupant as equivalent to * * * impoundment.” State v. 

Calvin, 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-15-17, 2015-Ohio-4801, ¶ 18. The Ohio Supreme Court 

has recognized that “a routine inventory search of a lawfully impounded automobile is 

not unreasonable within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment when performed pursuant 

to standard police practice, and when the evidence does not demonstrate that the 

procedure involved is merely a pretext for an evidentiary search of the impounded 

automobile.” State v. Robinson, 58 Ohio St.2d 478, 480, 391 N.E.2d 317 (1979). See 

also State v. Gordon, 96 Ohio App.3d 334, 340, 642 N.E.2d 440 (8th Dist.1994). 

{¶ 15} Here, Officer Bauer testified at trial that (1) his department maintains a 

standard operating procedure prohibiting him from leaving a vehicle in the roadway, and 

(2) there were no licensed drivers present who could remove Perkins’s vehicle from the 

roadway. In addition to Officer Bauer’s testimony, our review of the Clyde Municipal 

Ordinances reveals that under Section 303.08(a)(9), “[p]olice officers are authorized to 

provide for the removal of a vehicle * * * [w]hen any vehicle has been operated by any 

person who is driving without a lawful license or while his license has been suspended or 

revoked and is located upon a public street or other property open to the public for 

purposes of vehicular travel or parking.” Absent evidence in the record demonstrating 

that the decision to tow was contrary to policy for some reason or that the procedure was 

pretextual, we cannot say that there was a basis to suppress the evidence discovered 

during the inventory search. 
8.

{¶ 16} Second, we acknowledge that Officer Bauer initially told Perkins that he 

could try to find a licensed driver, but ultimately decided to have the vehicle towed 

anyway. But Perkins has cited no legal authority suggesting that Officer Bauer was 

bound by his initial inclination to allow him to find another licensed driver. See State v. 

Hoke, 2d Dist. Champaign No. 07-CA-01, 2008-Ohio-757, ¶ 12 (upholding inventory 

search where officers initially decided to tow vehicle, but then decided to allow 

appellant’s father to pick it up). See also City of Blue Ash v. Kavanagh, 113 Ohio St.3d 

67, 2007-Ohio-1103, 862 N.E.2d 810, ¶ 19 (rejecting defendant’s argument that he could 

have been permitted to call a tow truck himself as an alternative to impoundment, 

reasoning that while it may have been possible to allow defendant to make other 

arrangements, the reasonableness of a particular governmental activity does not 

necessarily turn on the availability of such alternative means). 

{¶ 17} Additionally, the record before us includes no facts that may be said to 

have precluded Officer Bauer from reversing course here. For instance, there is no 

evidence in the record indicating that Perkins promptly returned to the scene with a 

licensed driver. Nor do we have before us any other evidence pertinent to Officer 

Bauer’s ultimate decision to tow the vehicle instead of allowing Perkins to arrange for its 

removal from the roadway, such as information as to when the tow truck was called in 

relation to when Perkins left the site of the traffic stop, how long Perkins was gone, how 

far he expected to have to travel to find a licensed driver, or whether he had a particular 
9.

licensed driver in mind. As such, Perkins has failed to cite any facts that might bind 

Officer Bauer to his initial inclination to allow him to search for a licensed driver. 

{¶ 18} Because Perkins has failed to demonstrate by evidence in the record that 

there was a basis to suppress the evidence discovered during the inventory search of his 

vehicle, he cannot prevail on his claim that counsel was ineffective for failing to move to 

suppress the evidence. We find Perkins’s first assignment of error not well-taken. 

B. Failure to Comply with Sentencing Statutes 

{¶ 19} In his second assignment of error, Perkins argues that the trial court failed 

to consider R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12 in fashioning his 36-month prison sentence. He 

claims that the court’s failure to consider these statutes is apparent given that (1) it 

sentenced Perkins within minutes of the jury announcing its verdict, and (2) it made no 

mention of these provisions at sentencing or in the judgment entry. 

{¶ 20} We review felony sentences under R.C. 2953.08(G)(2). Under R.C. 

2953.08(G)(2), an appellate court may increase, reduce, or otherwise modify a sentence 

or may vacate the sentence and remand the matter to the sentencing court for 

resentencing if it clearly and convincingly finds either of the following: 

 (a) That the record does not support the sentencing court’s findings 

under division (B) or (D) of section 2929.13, division (B)(2)(e) or (C)(4) of 

section 2929.14, or division (I) of section 2929.20 of the Revised Code, 

whichever, if any, is relevant; 

 (b) That the sentence is otherwise contrary to law. 
10. 

{¶ 21} The Supreme Court of Ohio in State v. Kalish, 120 Ohio St.3d 23, 2008-

Ohio-4912, 896 N.E.2d 124, ¶ 18, held that a sentence is not clearly and convincingly 

contrary to law where the trial court has considered the purposes and principles of 

sentencing under R.C. 2929.11 and the seriousness and recidivism factors under R.C. 

2929.12, properly applied postrelease control, and imposed a sentence within the 

statutory range. Perkins’s challenge here relates only to the court’s purported failure to 

consider R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12. 

{¶ 22} Perkins correctly points out that the trial court did not specifically indicate 

either at sentencing or in its judgment entry that it considered these statutes. But it is 

well-recognized that where the record is silent, there is a presumption that the trial court 

gave proper consideration to R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12. State v. Adams, 37 Ohio St.3d 

295, 297, 525 N.E.2d 1361 (1988); State v. Rutherford, 2d Dist. Champaign No. 08CA11, 

2009-Ohio-2071, ¶ 34-35. See also State v. Seele, 6th Dist. Sandusky No. S-13-025, 

2014-Ohio-1455, ¶ 19 (“While it is true that the trial court did not expressly state in either 

its judgment entry or during the sentencing hearing that it had balanced the principles and 

purposes of sentencing against the seriousness of the offense and the likelihood of 

recidivism under R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12, we must presume that the trial court gave 

those statutes proper consideration.”). It is up to the defendant to rebut this presumption. 

Rutherford at ¶ 34-35. “Thus, the issue before us is whether the record demonstrates that 

the trial court considered R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12 in imposing its sentence, not whether 

 
11. 

the trial court expressly indicated that it did so.” State v. Sims, 6th Dist. Sandusky No. 

S-13-037, 2014-Ohio-3515, ¶ 10. 

{¶ 23} R.C. 2929.11 explains that “[t]he overriding purposes of felony sentencing 

are to protect the public from future crime by the offender and others and to punish the 

offender using the minimum sanctions that the court determines accomplish those 

purposes without imposing an unnecessary burden on state or local government 

resources.” It instructs that “[t]o achieve those purposes, the sentencing court shall 

consider the need for incapacitating the offender, deterring the offender and others from 

future crime, rehabilitating the offender, and making restitution to the victim of the 

offense, the public, or both.” 

{¶ 24} R.C. 2929.12 provides discretion to the trial court “to determine the most 

effective way to comply with the purposes and principles of sentencing * * *.” It 

requires that “[i]n exercising that discretion, the court shall consider the factors set forth 

in divisions (B) and (C) * * * relating to the seriousness of the conduct, the factors 

provided in divisions (D) and (E) * * * relating to the likelihood of the offender’s 

recidivism, and the factors set forth in division (F) * * * pertaining to the offender’s 

service in the armed forces of the United States,” in addition to any other factors relevant 

to achieving the purposes and principles of sentencing. R.C. 2929.12(A). 

{¶ 25} Here, the state told the court that Perkins has prior convictions, has served 

prison time, has been convicted of violent offenses, and has now been shown to have 

participated in the manufacture of drugs. It requested a prison sentence of 24 months. 
12. 

Perkins emphasized at sentencing that he had never before been charged with a drug 

offense, and he requested community control. He tried to persuade the court that he 

would benefit from being placed in a halfway house or rehab facility. 

{¶ 26} After hearing from the state and from Perkins, the trial court imposed the 

maximum prison sentence—36 months. It provided the following rationale for doing so: 

 I – you – you take me for a fool for some reason. I don’t understand 

it. I am particularly offended by the fact that you were, first, operating this 

vehicle without driving privileges; you were driving under suspension. 

Clearly, there’s an odor associated with this stuff. To expect a jury or – or 

me to conclude that somebody planted it there without your knowledge, it’s 

– it – it doesn’t – doesn’t fly. 

 With the plague going on in Sandusky County with drugs, we don’t 

need people manufacturing meth and making it worse. 

{¶ 27} The sentencing judge—who heard the evidence at trial—had before him 

information indicating that Perkins had a criminal record and had, in fact, committed the 

additional crime of operating a motor vehicle while under suspension. Moreover, the 

court clearly placed great significance in the fact that Perkins was contributing to an 

already-rampant drug problem in the county. “[I]t is up to the discretion of the individual 

decision-maker ‘to determine the weight to assign a particular statutory factor.’” State v. 

Yeager, 6th Dist. Sandusky No. S-15-025, 2016-Ohio-4759, ¶ 13, quoting State v. Arnett, 

88 Ohio St.3d 208, 215, 724 N.E.2d 793 (2000). Here, the court may have weighed 
13. 

certain factors more heavily than others, but we cannot say that it did not consider the 

principles and purposes of sentencing or the seriousness and recidivism factors as it was 

required to do under R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12. 

{¶ 28} Accordingly, we find Perkins’s second assignment of error not well-taken.

III. Conclusion 

{¶ 29} Perkins has cited nothing in the record providing a basis for suppressing the 

evidence discovered during the inventory search of his vehicle, therefore, Perkins’s 

ineffective-assistance claim fails and his first assignment of error is not well-taken. 

Additionally, Perkins has failed to rebut the presumption that the trial court considered 

R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12 in fashioning his sentence, thus his second assignment of error 

is also not well-taken. We affirm the December 13, 2017 judgment of the Sandusky 

County Court of Common Pleas. Perkins is ordered to pay the costs of this appeal under 

App.R. 24.

Judgment affirmed. 

A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to App.R. 27. 

See also 6th Dist.Loc.App.R. 4. 

 
14. 

 State v. Perkins 

 C.A. No. S-18-010 

Mark L. Pietrykowski, J. _______________________________ 

JUDGE 

Christine E. Mayle, P.J. 

 _______________________________ 

Gene A. Zmuda, J. JUDGE 

CONCUR. 

_______________________________ 

JUDGE 

This decision is subject to further editing by the Supreme Court of 

Ohio’s Reporter of Decisions. Parties interested in viewing the final reported 

version are advised to visit the Ohio Supreme Court’s web site at: 

http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/ROD/docs/.