Opinion ID: 1301554
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Concurrent Sentences Regarding Counts of Sexual Exploitation by Photographing Lee and Brandy and Sexual Conduct with Lee

Text: Taylor maintains that A.R.S. § 13-116, the so-called double punishment statute, requires that several of the 28 counts of sexual exploitation and sexual conduct with a minor must be reduced to no more than two exploitation counts and two counts of sexual conduct. The state concedes that four counts of sexual conduct with a minor involving Lee and evidenced by four specific photographs indicate that the four photographs were taken during one single episode of misconduct. [5] This is based on the fact that in these photographs, Lee is shown wearing the same shirt, with a blue carpet in the background, performing fellatio on Taylor. The sentences on these counts must run concurrently. However, the four counts of sexual exploitation by photographing Lee on this occasion do not constitute a single episode requiring concurrent sentences. [6] For each photograph to be taken, Taylor had to engage in the individual and separate act of taking the photograph. Each time, Lee was subjected to the degradation of being photographed while engaged in a single, ongoing sexual act with Taylor. Accordingly, consecutive sentences could be imposed on the four counts of sexual exploitation by photographing a minor. Three other counts against Taylor arise from photographs depicting Lee wearing a particular shirt while performing fellatio on Taylor. In this regard, the two sexual conduct counts arising from a single episode should run concurrently. [7] However, the sexual exploitation count based upon the taking of the photograph can appropriately run consecutive to the two sexual conduct counts. [8] The remaining counts of sexual conduct with a minor and sexual exploitation by photographing minors all properly involve consecutive sentences. Similar arguments are made regarding certain counts involving Brandy. Taylor argues that 11 counts of sexual exploitation by photographing Brandy should run concurrently. [9] However, each separate photograph constitutes a separate violation based upon a distinct act and is punishable as such.