Court Opinion

ID: 3007373
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-06 14:07:49.116299+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:46:06.255857
License: Public Domain

IN THE NEBRASKA COURT OF APPEALS

               MEMORANDUM OPINION AND JUDGMENT ON APPEAL
                        (Memorandum Web Opinion)

                                         STATE V. NOYD

  NOTICE: THIS OPINION IS NOT DESIGNATED FOR PERMANENT PUBLICATION
 AND MAY NOT BE CITED EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY NEB. CT. R. APP. P. § 2-102(E).

                                STATE OF NEBRASKA, APPELLEE,
                                               V.

                                 RONALD D. NOYD, APPELLANT.

                             Filed October 6, 2015.   No. A-15-078.

        Appeal from the District Court for York County: JAMES C. STECKER, Judge. Affirmed in
part, sentence of restitution vacated, and cause remanded with directions.
       Nancy G. Waldron, York County Public Defender, for appellant.
       Douglas J. Peterson, Attorney General, and Austin N. Relph for appellee.

       MOORE, Chief Judge, and PIRTLE and BISHOP, Judges.
       PIRTLE, Judge.
                                       INTRODUCTION
        Ronald D. Noyd appeals his conviction and sentence for conspiracy to commit theft by
deception (greater than $1,500) in the district court for York County. He contends that the
evidence was insufficient to convict him of the charge and that his sentence is excessive. Based
on the reasons that follow, we affirm in part, vacate the sentence of restitution, and remand with
directions.
                                        BACKGROUND
       On August 15, 2013, an employee of Cornerstone Bank in York, Nebraska, contacted the
local police department about a deposit made at one of the bank’s ATM’s. An envelope
containing a deposit slip for $4,190 had been deposited into the ATM for an account belonging

                                              -1-
to Ricky Turco. The envelope did not contain any cash or check. Immediately after the false
deposit was made, money had been withdrawn from the same account. The account had a
negative balance when the false deposit and withdrawals were made. The employee provided the
police with the deposit envelope, the deposit slip, and still photographs and video surveillance
obtained from the ATM’s security camera showing the various transactions. The investigation
that followed led to the discovery of Noyd’s involvement in the crime and his arrest. The
apparent motive for the crime was to obtain enough money to post bond for Turco who was in
jail at the time.
         The State charged Noyd with conspiracy to commit theft by deception (greater than
$1,500), two counts of theft by deception ($500-$1,500), and attempted theft by deception
(greater than $1,500). The State proceeded to trial against Noyd on the conspiracy charge. The
remaining charges were apparently dismissed.
         At trial, the State presented multiple witnesses. The State’s first witness was York Police
Officer John Wilmes, who was the officer who initially spoke with the bank employee and
conducted the investigation. Wilmes testified, based on the materials provided to him and his
investigation, that on August 13, 2013, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Becky Batterton and another
individual (later identified as Noyd), made a false deposit at an ATM and immediately withdrew
$500. On August 14, around 12:30 a.m., Batterton and Noyd returned and withdrew another
$500. At around 8 a.m., Batterton went to Cornerstone Bank and tried to cash a check written to
her for $1,600 from Ricky Turco, but the bank refused to cash it. Wilmes testified that video
surveillance from the bank showed Batterton’s transactions at the ATM, as well as another
occurrence in which Turco, Batterton, and Noyd returned to the ATM after Turco was released
from jail.
         Wilmes testified that as part of his investigation, he had access to telephone calls that
were recorded by the jail when Turco was incarcerated between August 10 and August 13, 2013.
He testified he listened to telephone calls between Turco and an individual named Tina Elliott,
and between Turco and Batterton, planning the false deposit and immediate cash withdrawals.
He testified that the plans discussed during the telephone conversations were substantially
similar to the way the false deposit and withdrawals took place.
         Darcy Friesen, the bank employee who contacted Wilmes, also testified. She testified as
to how an individual makes an ATM deposit and how and when the false deposit at issue was
discovered by the bank. She also testified that the check Batterton tried to cash on August 14,
2013, was not cashed by the teller because the bank had discovered there was an issue with the
deposit made the night before.
         During Friesen’s testimony, the State offered into evidence the surveillance videos from
the ATM, as well as still photos from the ATM, showing the various transactions at the ATM
involving Batterton and Noyd, as well as the return by Batterton, Noyd, and Turco to the ATM
on the night of August 14 after Turco was released from jail.
         Batterton testified that at the time of the events at issue, she and Turco were in a romantic
relationship. She testified that on August 10, 2013, Turco was arrested and before being taken to
jail he gave Batterton his checkbook, ATM card, and personal identification number. Batterton
testified that Turco’s bond was set at $2,500 and while Turco was in jail, she and Turco had
telephone conversations about how they could get money to pay the bond. During Batterton’s

                                                -2-
testimony, the State played the recordings of telephone calls between Batterton and Turco, as
well as one call between Turco and his business associate, Tina Elliott. The telephone calls
revealed that a plan had been made to scam the bank out of money by making a false deposit into
Turco’s account and then withdrawing money from the account before the bank discovered the
false deposit. Batterton admitted that this was the plan.
        Batterton also testified about Noyd’s involvement in the plan. She explained that prior to
the false deposit being made, Noyd came to her house and they were talking about the deposit
and she told him that she was not going to go through with it. Noyd told her that Turco was upset
with her because she would not go through with the plan. Batterton testified that Noyd then told
her that he would make the false deposit. She testified that the two of them got in her vehicle and
headed for the ATM.
        Batterton testified that when they got in her vehicle to go to the ATM the deposit
envelope was on the dashboard and Noyd took the envelope and filled it out. He then handed
Batterton the envelope and she put it in the ATM. Batterton testified that the deposit slip was in
the envelope when Noyd handed her the envelope and the envelope was sealed. Batterton
specifically testified that Noyd was in the passenger seat of her vehicle with her when the deposit
was made, as well as when the two $500 withdrawals were made.
        Batterton further testified that Noyd contributed some of his own money toward Turco’s
bond and that he came with her to get Turco released from jail. Batterton testified that after
Turco was out of jail, the three of them went to the ATM to see if Turco could get any money
from his account.
        Bridget Driver, a forensic scientist for the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab, testified that
she tested the deposit slip and envelope for fingerprints and she found numerous latent prints on
both items that belonged to Noyd.
        Turco also testified. He summarized the plan to obtain bond money and his
communications with Batterton and Elliott. He testified that he only spoke with Batterton and
Elliott on the telephone from jail and that he was unaware that Noyd was involved. Turco
explained that after he was released from jail, he went with Batterton and Noyd to the ATM to
check on his account. He also testified that he paid Noyd back for the money Noyd contributed
toward his bond.
        After the State rested, Noyd moved for a directed verdict, which the court overruled.
Noyd took the stand and testified that at the time of the events in question, he and Batterton were
friends, and Turco was an acquaintance. He testified that he was “pretty much staying at
[Batterton’s] house” and had been helping her move her consignment store to a new location and
had been doing maintenance on her vehicle. He testified that Batterton never told him about a
plan to get money from Cornerstone Bank and that he had no knowledge about the plan. When
asked if he ever accompanied Batterton to an ATM machine, he responded that he rode with her
most everywhere she went because he did not have a driver’s license. He later testified that he
went with Batterton to the ATM two or three times and she told him she was making deposits for
Turco’s business and making withdrawals to get him out of jail. When asked if he ever held a
deposit envelope, he responded that he “carried all of [Batterton’s] stuff in and out of the house
and in and out of the truck all the time. I’m sure I did.” He testified that he has never filled out a
deposit slip. Noyd acknowledged that he used some of his own money for Turco’s bond.

                                                -3-
         On cross-examination, Noyd denied filling out the deposit slip and envelope at issue. He
testified that he possibly touched the deposit slip and envelope when he helped Turco move in
with Batterton before Turco went to jail.
         Following trial, the jury found Noyd guilty of conspiracy to commit theft by deception
(greater than $1,500). The trial court accepted the jury’s verdict and subsequently sentenced
Noyd to 3 to 6 years’ imprisonment and ordered him to pay $1,000 in restitution.
                                  ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
      Noyd assigns that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction for conspiracy
to commit theft by deception (greater than $1,500) and that his sentence is excessive.
                                    STANDARD OF REVIEW
        In reviewing a sufficiency of the evidence claim, whether the evidence is direct,
circumstantial, or a combination thereof, the standard is the same: An appellate court does not
resolve conflicts in the evidence, pass on the credibility of witnesses, or reweigh the evidence;
such matters are for the finder of fact. The relevant question is whether, after viewing the
evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found
the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. See State v. Knutson, 288 Neb.
823, 852 N.W.2d 307 (2014).
        An appellate court will not disturb a sentence imposed within the statutory limits absent
an abuse of discretion by the trial court. See State v. Wills, 285 Neb. 260, 826 N.W.2d 581
(2013).
                                            ANALYSIS
Sufficiency of Evidence.
        Noyd first assigns that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction for
conspiracy to commit theft by deception (greater than $1,500). When reviewing the sufficiency
of the evidence to support a conviction, the relevant question for an appellate court is whether,
after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact
could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Nave,
284 Neb. 477, 821 N.W.2d 723 (2012).
        The State charged Noyd with conspiring to commit the crime of theft by deception
(greater than $1,500). A person is guilty of criminal conspiracy if the person intends to promote
or facilitate the commission of a felony, agrees with one or more persons to commit that felony,
and then the person, or a coconspirator, commits an overt act furthering the conspiracy. State v.
Nave, supra. See Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-202 (Reissue 2008).
        A person commits theft by deception (greater than $1,500) if “he obtains property of
another by deception,” which, as relevant here, means to obtain property, valued over $1,500, by
intentionally “[c]reat[ing] or reinforc[ing] a false impression, including false impressions as to
law, value, intention, or other state of mind.” Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-512 (Reissue 2008); Neb. Rev.
Stat. § 28-518 (Reissue 2008).
        We must affirm Noyd’s conviction if there is evidence from which a rational jury could
find beyond a reasonable doubt that he intended to promote or facilitate the crime of theft by

                                                -4-
deception, that he agreed with others to commit that crime, and that he or another coconspirator
committed an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
         We conclude that a rational jury could have found each of these elements beyond a
reasonable doubt. First, there was sufficient evidence to show that Noyd intended to promote or
facilitate the crime. Batterton testified that Noyd came to her house and was aware of the plan to
make a false deposit, telling her that Turco was upset that Batterton would not carry out the plan.
Noyd then told Batterton that he would make the false deposit.
         Second, there was sufficient evidence to show that Noyd agreed with others to commit
the crime. Batterton testified that she and Noyd discussed the plan and Batterton expressed that
she did not want to go through with it. However, after Noyd told Batterton that he would make
the false deposit, the two of them proceeded to Batterton’s vehicle and drove to the ATM with
the deposit envelope.
         Third, there was sufficient evidence to show that Noyd or another coconspirator
committed an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy. Batterton testified that Noyd is the one
who filled out the deposit envelope while they were in her vehicle. The evidence also showed
that Noyd’s fingerprints were found on the deposit slip and the deposit envelope. Further,
Batterton, as a coconspirator, put the envelope inside the ATM while Noyd was in the vehicle.
Noyd was also present in the vehicle both times that Batterton withdrew $500 from the ATM.
         As such, the evidence is sufficient to uphold Noyd’s conviction for conspiracy to commit
theft by deception (greater than $1,500).
Excessive Sentence.
        Noyd next assigns that his sentence of 3 to 6 years’ imprisonment is excessive. Noyd was
convicted of conspiracy to commit theft by deception (greater than $1,500), a Class III felony,
punishable by 1 to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $25,000 fine, or both. See § 28-518; § 28-202
(Reissue 2008); § 28-105 (Reissue 2008). Noyd’s sentence of 3 to 6 years’ imprisonment is well
within the statutory limits. Because Noyd’s sentence of imprisonment is well within the statutory
limits, we need only determine if the trial court abused its discretion in imposing such a sentence.
        In imposing a sentence, a sentencing judge should consider the defendant’s (1) age, (2)
mentality, (3) education and experience, (4) social and cultural background, (5) past criminal
record or record of law-abiding conduct, and (6) motivation for the offense, as well as (7) the
nature of the offense, and (8) the amount of violence involved in the commission of the crime.
State v. Wills, 285 Neb. 260, 826 N.W.2d 581 (2013). The appropriateness of a sentence is
necessarily a subjective judgment and includes the sentencing judge’s observation of the
defendant’s demeanor and attitude and all the facts and circumstances surrounding the
defendant’s life. Id.
        Before sentencing Noyd, the trial court emphasized that Noyd was “not a stranger to this
court,” that this was the fourth time the court had seen him that year, and that his criminal record
was “abysmal.” The court also noted that this was the third time it had sentenced Noyd for a
theft-related crime. The court further stated that Noyd refused to take responsibility for his
actions, that probation was not appropriate, and that a lesser sentence would depreciate the
seriousness of the crime or promote disrespect for the law. We conclude that the district court did
not abuse its discretion in sentencing Noyd to 3 to 6 years’ imprisonment.

                                               -5-
         However, in addition to the term of imprisonment, the trial court also ordered Noyd to
pay $1,000 in restitution. Although Noyd does not take issue with the restitution portion of his
sentence, the State contends that the court erred in ordering restitution because it did so without a
restitution hearing, without considering Noyd’s ability to pay, and without explaining the
payment terms.
         Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2280 et seq. (Reissue 2008) vests trial courts with the authority to
order restitution for actual damages sustained by the victim of a crime for which the defendant is
convicted. State v. Mick, 19 Neb. Ct. App. 521, 808 N.W.2d 663 (2012). In imposing restitution,
§ 29-2281 provides, in part, the following parameters:
                 To determine the amount of restitution, the court may hold a hearing at the time of
         sentencing. The amount of restitution shall be based on the actual damages sustained by
         the victim and shall be supported by evidence which shall become a part of the court
         record. The court shall consider the defendant’s earning ability, employment status,
         financial resources, and family or other legal obligations and shall balance such
         considerations against the obligation to the victim. . . .The court may order that restitution
         be made immediately, in specified installments, or within a specified period of time not to
         exceed five years after the date of judgment or defendant’s final release date from
         imprisonment, whichever is later.

        Pursuant to § 29-2281, before restitution can be properly ordered, the trial court must
consider: (1) whether restitution should be ordered, (2) the amount of actual damages sustained
by the victim or a crime, and (3) the amount of restitution a criminal defendant is capable of
paying. State v. Mick, supra.
        Having reviewed the record in this case, we find that the record does not indicate that the
trial court considered the factors mandated by § 29-2281. Therefore, the trial court erred in
ordering restitution, and as such, we vacate the trial court’s order regarding restitution and
remand the matter to the trial court for resentencing regarding the restitution portion of Noyd’s
sentence, taking into consideration the statutory factors set forth in § 29-2281.
                                          CONCLUSION
        We conclude that there was sufficient evidence to support Noyd’s conviction for
conspiracy to commit theft by deception (greater than $1,500) and that the trial court did not
impose an excessive sentence of incarceration. We further conclude that the trial court erred in
ordering restitution without considering the factors set forth in § 29-2281. Thus, we affirm
Noyd’s conviction and affirm the incarceration portion of the sentence. The portion of the
sentence regarding restitution is vacated, and the cause is remanded for proceedings consistent
with this opinion.
                                        AFFIRMED IN PART, SENTENCE OF RESTITUTION VACATED,
                                        AND CAUSE REMANDED WITH DIRECTIONS.

                                                 -6-