Court Opinion

ID: 4244449
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-02-12 20:30:19.286426+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:16:22.676191
License: Public Domain

4A17:144,4 :4=4.

                                                                TILED
                                                        :COURT OF APPEALS DIV I
                                                         STATE OF WASHINGTON
                                                         ,2010 FEB 12 AM 10: 50

      IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

 CITY OF KENT,                                         No. 75505-6-1
                                                       (Consolidated with
                      Respondent,                         No. 75511-1-1)

                                                       DIVISION ONE

VINCENT LLOYD FEASTER; and
JUNZHI SHAO,                                           UNPUBLISHED

                      Appellants.                      FILED: February 12, 2018

       Cox, J. — Vincent Feaster and Junzhi Shao were each convicted in the

municipal court of the City of Kent of patronizing a prostitute. We granted

discretionary review of their claims that the court lacked jurisdiction to prosecute

them for these crimes. Concluding that such jurisdiction exists, we affirm.

       The material facts are undisputed. The City of Kent police department

conducted a sting operation by an undercover officer and others. Feaster and

Shao responded to an on-line advertisement for sexual services in Kent. Feaster

called the phone number listed in the advertisement and Shao texted that

number. An undercover officer located in Kent responded, and both men made

arrangements with that officer to pay money for sexual services in Kent. When
No. 75505-6-1 (consolidated with No. 75511-1-1)/2

Feaster and Shao each arrived at the motel in Kent where the services were to

be performed, police arrested them.

       The City of Kent charged them separately in municipal court with

patronizing a prostitute pursuant to RCW 9A.88.110(b) and Kent City Code

(KCC)9.02.070. Feaster and Shao each moved to dismiss, arguing that

jurisdiction was improper because there was no evidence that they were in Kent

when they agreed to pay for the agreed sexual services. The court denied their

motions.

       Shao's case was tried to a jury. Feaster's case was tried to the court

based on a stipulated record.

       Both men were found guilty and given 18-month deferred sentences.

They appealed to superior court and the RALJ court affirmed.

       We granted discretionary review of the RALJ court's decision solely on the

jurisdictional question.

                                  JURISDICTION

       Feaster and Shao argue that there is insufficient evidence to support their

convictions for patronizing a prostitute. They specifically claim that there is no

evidence that they committed the crime in Kent. Based upon this alleged lack of

evidence, Feaster and Shao claim that the municipal court did not have

jurisdiction to prosecute them. We disagree.

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No. 75505-6-1 (consolidated with No. 75511-1-1 /3

       Due process requires the State to prove beyond a reasonable doubt,

every element of the crime charged.1. This court "will reverse a conviction for

insufficient evidence only where no rational trier of fact could find that all

elements of the crime were proved beyond a reasonable doubt."2 We accept

factual determinations that are supported by substantial evidence in the record if

those determinations were either expressly made by the lower court or may be

reasonably inferred from the lower court's judgment.3

       Washington statute confers criminal jurisdiction over: "[a] person who

commits in the state any crime, in whole or in part"4 "An offense is committed

'in part' in Washington, within the contemplation of the criminal jurisdiction

statute, when an 'essential element' of the offense has been committed here."5

       As a court of limited jurisdiction, the City of Kent municipal court may only

exercise the jurisdiction granted it by the legislature.6 The municipal court is

statutorily authorized to prosecute misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor

      1 In re Winship, 397 U.S. 358, 364, 90 S. Ct. 1068,25 L. Ed. 2d 368
(1970).

       2 State   v. Smith, 155 Wash. 2d 496, 501, 120 P.3d 559 (2005).

       3 RALJ    9.1(b).

       4   RCW 9A.04.030(1)(emphasis added).

             v. Lane, 112 Wash. 2d 464, 471, 771 P.2d 1150(1989)(quoting State
       5 State
v. Swanson, 16 Wash. App. 179, 190, 554 P.2d 364 (1976)).
                  IV,§ 12; City of Spokane v. Marquette, 146 Wash. 2d 124, 129,
       6 CONST. art.
43 P.3d 502(2002); Lane, 112 Wash. 2d at 470-7".

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No. 75505-6-1 (consolidated with No. 75511-1-1)/4

offenses committed within its jurisdiction.7 Patronizing a prostitute is a

misdemeanor.8 So the City ofi Kent may prosecute that crime as long as it was

committed within the City "in whole or in part."8 Thus, at least one essential

element of the crime must have been committed in Kent.1°

       We review de novo whether a municipal court has jurisdiction."

       The patronizing a prostitute statute under which these men were

prosecuted in 2014 provided in part that "[a] person is guilty of patronizing a

prostitute if[h]e ... pays or agrees to pay a fee to another person pursuant to an

understanding that in return therefor such person will engage in sexual conduct

with him or her."12

       There is no evidence that either Feaster or Shao were in Kent when they

called the undercover officer. They argue that only their intent and their

understanding are elements of the crime of patronizing a prostitute. Thus, they

claim there is no evidence that any essential element of the crime occurred in

Kent. They contend that because there need not be an understanding or

"meeting of the minds," between them and the undercover officer, any action by,

or intention of, the undercoverlofficer is irrelevant. They miss the essential point:

       7 RCW    39.34.180(1).

       8 RCW 9A.88.110(3).

       9   RCW 9A.04.030(1); KCC 9.02.070.

       19   Lane, 112 Wash. 2d at 471.

       11 Marquette, 146 Wash. 2d at 129.

       12 Former   RCW 9A.88.110(1)(b); KCC 9.02.070.

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No. 75505-6-1 (consolidated with No. 75511-1- )15

whether any essential element of the crime was committed within the City of

Kent.

        Essential elements of the charged crime are committed when one

"agrees" to pay a fee pursuant to "an understanding" that sexual conduct will be

given in return.13 At the time of the prosecution, the patronizing a prostitute

statute did not define "agrees" or "understanding." Thus, we may look to the

dictionary for definitions of the ordinary meanings of these terms for the purpose

of determining legislative intent.14

        The American Heritage,Dictionary defines "understanding" as "[a] compact

implicit between two or more people or groups' and "a state of agreement."15 It

defines "agreement" as "[h]arrOny of opinion; accord" and "[a]n arrangement

between parties regarding a method of action.'16

        These definitions show that both an understanding and an agreement

require two or more persons. Thus, in order to reach an agreement or an

"understanding," Feaster and Shao necessarily had to interact with the

undercover officer. Both men dealt by mobile phone with the undercover officer,

who was in Kent. This was sufficient evidence that essential elements of the

crime were committed in Kent.

        13 Id.

        14   State v. Belqarde, 119 Wash. 2d 711, 716, 837 P.2d 599 (1992).

        15 THE AMERICAN    HERITAGE DICTIONARY 1948 (3rd ed. 1992).

        16   Id. at 36(emphasis added).

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No. 75505-6-1 (consolidated with No. 75511-1-1)/6

       We note that the objective manifestation of their agreement and

understanding was their appearances at the motel in Kent following their

respective communications with the undercover officer. No other view of the

facts makes sense.

       Feaster and Shao rely on City of Yakima v. Esqueda,17 as support for their

contention that, because only their intent matters, no part of the crime was

committed in Kent. Such reliance is misplaced
                             1
      In Esqueda, the court affirmed George Esqueda's conviction for agreeing

to engage in prostitution even though he never intended to fulfill the agreement.18

Esqueda held himself out as a woman and agreed to have sex with a male

undercover officer.19 Esqueda worked in a bar and was paid based on how

many drinks customers purchesed.20 He did not intend to have sex but promised

to do so in an attempt to get the officer to buy more drinks.21 The court affirmed

the conviction based on the interaction between Esqueda and the officer and the

officer's belief that it was a bona fide proposition.22 It was Esqueda's intent that

was irrelevant, not the officer's.23

       17 26 Wn. App. 347,612 P.2d 821 (1980).

       18 Id. at 349.

       18 Id.

       20 Id. at 348-49.

       21 Id. at 349.

       22 Id. at 350-51.        1

       23 Id.

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No. 75505-6-1 (consolidated With No. 75511-1-1)/7

       Here, as in Esqueda, Feaster and Shao agreed with the undercover officer

to pay a fee pursuant to an understanding that sexual conduct would follow. It is

irrelevant whether the undercover officer, even though a party, intended to carry

through with the agreement. As in Esqueda, the parties did enter into an

agreement with the requisite Understanding. P1/4 a similar point in these cases,

Feaster and Shao committed the crime of patronizing a prostitute.24

       Feaster and Shao also argue that only their intent and actions can be

relevant because any guilt based on the "understanding" of the other party could

result in liability even if the defendant never intended to commit a crime. For

example if a defendant mistakenly called a wrong number and made an

agreement for services not knowing they were agreeing to sexual services. This

argument is not convincing.

       Any such mistake would negate the essential element of an

understanding. That element requires both parties to agree to payment pursuant

to an understanding that sexual conduct will be given in return.25

      The importance of that understanding is illustrated by the legislative

history of the patronizing a prostitute statute. In State v. Wilbur, the supreme

court held that the state statute making prostitution a crime did not apply to an

agreement to pay for sex.26 James Wilbur had agreed to pay an undercover

       24   Id. at 350.
      25    RCW 9A.88.110(1)(b).

       26   110 Wash. 2d 16, 18, 749 P.2d 1295 (1988).

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No. 75505-6-1 (consolidated with No. 75511-1- )/8

officer for sex but he was arrested before any sexual activity occurred or money

changed hands.27

       On appeal, the court held that Wilbur's actions did not fall within the

definition of the crime of prostitution because the state statute "d[id] not make it a

crime for a person to agree to pay money to a police decoy for sex."28 At that

time, a Snohomish County ordinance made patronizing a prostitute a crime, but

Wilbur had not been prosecuted for violation of that ordinance.29 The legislature

adopted the patronizing a prostitute statute with language identical to that in the

county ordinance shortly after the Wilbur decision.39 Doing so suggests that the

legislature intended to punish persons like Wilbur, Feaster, and Shao who enter

into an agreement to pay for sexual conduct but are arrested before any such

crime is committed.

                                STATUTORY AUTHORITY

       Feaster and Shao also argue that jurisdiction is absent because "there is

no statute, court rule, or common law" that extends jurisdiction to the location

where the communication was received versus where it is made. This is also

unpersuasive.

       27   Id. at 17.

       28   Id. at 18.

       28   Id. at 17 n.2, 3.
       30RCW 9A.88.110, 1988 ch. 146 § 4; see 11 WASHINGTON PRACTICE:
WASHINGTON PATTERN JURY INSTRUCTIONS: CRIMINAL 48.10(comments)(WPIC);
Wilbur, 110 Wash. 2d at 17 n.2, 3.

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No. 75505-6-1 (consolidated with No. 75511-1-1)/9

       "In construing a statute', this court's primary goal is to ascertain and give

effect to the legislative intent."31 We review de novo questions of statutory

interpretation.32

       Feaster and Shao argue that jurisdiction does not extend to where the

communication was received because the patronizing a prostitute statute does

not explicitly so state. They appear to argue that this absence of specificity is

material because the legislature has enacted other criminal statutes involving

communication that extend jurisdiction to where the communication is received.

Such statutes include telephone harassment,33 cyberstalking,34 harassment,35

stalking,36 and violation of anti-harassment, prOtection, and no-contact orders by

an out-of-state defendant when the victim is in-state.37 Feaster and Shao argue

that, if the legislature intended to extend jurisdiction to include the location where

the communication was received, it would have done so in the statute. They are

wrong.

      31 Ravenscroft v. Washington Water Power Co., 136 Wash. 2d 911, 920-21,
969 P.2d 75(1998)(internal citations omitted).

       32 State v. Veliz, 176 Wash. 2d 849, 853-54, 298 P.3d 75(2013)(quoting
State v. Morales, 173 Wash. 2d 560, 567 n.3, 269 P.3d 263(2012)).

            RCW 9.61.230; RCW 9.61.250.

       34   RCW 9.61.260.

            RCW 9A.46.020; RCW 9A 46.030.
       36   RCW 9A.46.030; RCW 9A.46.110.

       37 See   RCW 26.50.240:

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No. 75505-6-1 (consolidated with No. 75511-1-1)/10

       First, as Feaster and Shao acknowledge, Washington courts have

previously held that jurisdiction is proper where a communication is made or

received in cases involving crimes that did not include a jurisdictional provision.

For example, State v. Dent involved conspiracy to commit first degree murder.38

The court held that communication by telephoie call was deemed to occur both

where the call was placed and where it was received.39 Neither the conspiracy

statute nor the first degree murder statute included a jurisdictional provision

directed at communication.40 Yet, jurisdiction was not in question.

       Also, in State v. Bogart, jurisdiction was proper in Yakima County to

prosecute Oran Bogart for contributing to the delinquency of a minor even though

Bogart was never physically pi-esent there. 41     l   was enough that Bogart sent a

letter to a juvenile in Yakima County that caused that juvenile to become

delinquent.42 In Bogart, the applicable criminal statute did not contain a

jurisdictional provision.43

       The decisions in Dent and Bogart.show that express statements of

jurisdictional language are not necessary to show that jurisdiction exists. The

patronizing a prostitute statute under which these prosecutions occurred, similar

       38   123 Wash. 2d 467,470, 869 P.2d 392(1994).

       38   Id. at 481.
       40 See RCW 9A.28.040 RCW 9A.32.030.

       41   21 Wash. 2d 765, 770-71, 153 P.2d 507(1944).

       42   Id.

       43 See     id. at 770 (citing former RCW 13.04.170).

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No. 75505-6-1 (consolidated with No. 75511-1-

to the conspiracy statute at issue in Dent, includes an understanding or

agreement as an essential element of the crime." This is sufficient for

jurisdictional purposes.

       Feaster and Shao argue that the ruling in Dent cannot apply to all statutes

involving communication because otherwise the jurisdictional provision in some

statutes would be obsolete. Whether this ruling applies to all statutes is
                                    i
irrelevant. It clearly applies to th s one.

       Feaster and Shao also cite to statutes that do not even involve

communication. For example, the forgery and identity theft statutes provide that

jurisdiction is proper in the place where the victim resides even if the defendant

has never been physically present there.45 Bu these crimes do not involve any

communication, much less an,agreement or understanding.46 They are not

helpful to deciding this issue.

       Likewise, Feaster and Shao cite to RCW 10.66.120, arguing that it

"establishes jurisdiction for drug trafficking in any county in which any element of

the alleged drug trafficking activities occurred."47 This is another statute that

does not pertain to communication or an understanding. For this reason, it is not

helpful to deciding this issue.

       44 See     Dent, 123 Wn.20 at 474.

       45 See         RCW 9.35.020(8); RCW 9A 60.20(2).

       46   Id.

       47 Appellants' Opening     Brief at 14.

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No. 75505-6-1 (consolidated with No. 75511-1-1)/12

       Finally, because Feaster and Shao have failed to show that a lack of a

jurisdictional provision renders the patronizing    prostitute statute ambiguous, the

rule of lenity does not apply.48

       Feaster and Shao also ,argue that WPIC 4.27 supports their contention

that the patronizing a prostitute statute does not extend jurisdiction to where the .

communication was received., We again disag ee.

       WPIC 4.27 reads in part: "A person who sends a [letter][electronic

message][telegram][fax] is considered to hay performed the act both where the

[letter][electronic message][telegram][fax] originates and where the [letter]       •

[electronic message][telegram][fax] is received." It also provides that "[a]

person who telephones another person is considered to have performed the act

both where the call is placed or dialed and where the call is received."49

       Although WPICs are not law, they are persuasive authority.50 Feaster and

Shao claim that WPIC 4.27 was drafted to inform juries of the jurisdiction

statutes, and thus is only applicable to those cnmes.51 They focus on the

language in the comments recognizing that:

      [m]any crimes—including violations of protective orders,
      communication with a minor, and harassment—are based upon a
      communication between the defendant and another person.
      Threats and other statements may be communicated by mail, [or]
      over the telephone... . In these cases, determining whether a

       48   Id. at 18 (citing State v. Welty, 44 Wn App. 281, 283, 726 P.2d 472
(1986)).
            WPIC 4.27.

       50 State   v. Hayward, 152 Wn. App. 632,645, 217 P.3d 354(2009).

       51   Appellants' Opening Brief at 16.

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No. 75505-6-1 (consolidated with No. 75511-1-1)/13

       court has jurisdiction requires the application of certain statutes,
       court rules, and common law principles to the facts presented to the
       jury.[52]

       But the comments specifically state that determining jurisdiction requires

application of"common law principles."53 While the comments cite to various

statutes that contain jurisdictional provisions, they also cite to both Dent and

Bogart in discussing case law,relevant to the use of WPIC 4.27.54

       WPIC 4.27 does not conflict with the patronizing a prostitute statute at

issue in this case even though the latter does not contain a jurisdictional

provision directed at the communication that leads to the agreement or

understanding.55 Instead, WPIC 4.27 serves to supplement the to-convict

instruction for patronizing a prostitute found at WPIC 48.10, and its use in these

circumstances is consistent with the common law principles set forth in Dent and

Bogart.

       In sum, neither the jurisdictional provisions in other statutes nor the

language of WPIC 4.27 suppo,rt Feaster and Shao's contention that jurisdiction is

limited to the location where the communication was initiated.

       52 Id. (quoting   WPIC 4.47(comments)).

            WPIC 4.27(comment).

       54   Id. (citing Dent, 123 Wash. 2d 467 and B qart, 21 Wash. 2d 765).

       55 See   Hayward, 152 VVn. App. at 646.

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No. 75505-6-1 (consolidated with No. 75511-1-)/14

                               JURY INSTRUCTION
       Shao argues that the municipal court erred in instructing the jury pursuant

to WPIC 4.27. He claims thatIthe instruction improperly extended Kent's

jurisdiction without any statutory authority to do so. We disagree.

       "Jury instructions are sufficient if they a e supported by substantial

evidence, allow the parties to argue their theories of the case, and when read as

a whole properly inform the jury of the applicable law." 56

       We review de novo whether a jury instruction reflects an accurate

statement of the law.57

       Jurisdictional questions' may involve issuee of law for the courts to

determine as well as issues of fact for the jury to decide.58 Even if the court rules

on questions of law before trial, the prosecutio has the burden of proving

jurisdiction at trial beyond a reasonable doubt, and the jury must be instructed

accordingly.59 Thus,jury instructions must include jurisdiction as an essential

element that the prosecution must prove.89

       Here, the municipal court concluded for purposes of the motion to dismiss,

that jurisdiction was a question of law and it was proper in Kent. But the court

       56 State   v. Clausinq, 147 Wash. 2d 620, 626, 56 P.3d 550(2002).

       57   Id. at 626-27; Hayward, 152 Wash. App. at 641.

       58 See   State v. L.J.M., 129 Wash. 2d 386, 396-97, 918 P.2d 898 (1996).

      59 See State v. Norman, 145 Wash. 2d 578 589,40 P.3d 1161 (2002); Lane,
112 Wash. 2d at 476.

       89 See Lane, 112 Wash. 2d at 476.

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No. 75505-6-1 (consolidated With No. 75511-1- )/15

also instructed the jury that the prosecution had to prove beyond a reasonable

doubt, that "Shao paid or agreed to pay a fee to another person pursuant to an

understanding that in return for the fee, the othr person or a third party would

engage in sexual conduct with the defendant; and.. . the acts occurred in the

city of Kent."61 The court also instructed the jury pursuant to WPIC 4.27 to

assist it in determining the location of Shao's acts in communicating with the

undercover officer and agreeing to exchange money for sexual conduct.62

       Because the municipal court properly instructed the jury on the elements

of patronizing a prostitute, including an instruction that an act had to occur in

Kent, the instructions accurately stated the law and contained no reversible error.

       We affirm the RALJ court, which affirmed the judgments and sentences.

WE CONCUR:

       61   Clerk's Papers at 319(emphasis added); see WPIC 48.10.

       62 See   WPIC 4.27.

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