Court Opinion

ID: 2686804
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-07-31 21:01:20.186351+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:14:38.962561
License: Public Domain

Filed 7/31/14 P. v. Chapa CA4/2

                      NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
 California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
                                     or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

           IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

                                   FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                 DIVISION TWO

THE PEOPLE,

         Plaintiff and Respondent,                                       E059028

v.                                                                       (Super.Ct.No. INF1200814)

LUIS ROY CHAPA, JR.,                                                     OPINION

         Defendant and Appellant.

         APPEAL from the Superior Court of Riverside County. Graham Anderson

Cribbs, Judge. (Retired Judge of the Riverside Super. Ct. assigned by the Chief Justice

pursuant to art. VI, § 6 of the Cal. Const.) Affirmed as modified; remanded with

directions.

         Victoria H. Stafford, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant

and Appellant.

                                                             1
       Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Dane R. Gillette, Chief Assistant Attorney

General, Julie L. Garland, Assistant Attorney General, Eric A. Swenson and Jennifer B.

Truong, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.

       A jury found defendant and appellant Luis Roy Chapa, Jr., guilty of attempted

robbery (Pen. Code, §§ 664/211; count 1);1 possession of a firearm by a felon (§ 29800,

subd. (a)(1); count 2); possession of ammunition by a felon (§ 30305, subd. (a)(1);

count 3); and active participation in a criminal street gang (§ 186.22, subd. (a); count 4).

As to count 1, the jury found true that defendant personally used a firearm in the

commission of the crime (§ 12022.53, subd. (b)) and that defendant committed the crime

for the benefit of a criminal street gang (§ 186.22, subd. (b)(1)(C)). In a bifurcated

proceeding, the trial court found true that defendant had served a prior prison term

(§ 667.5, subd. (b)). Defendant was sentenced to a total term of 24 years 10 months in

state prison with credit for time served.

       On appeal, defendant contends: (1) the trial court erred in selecting count 2,

instead of count 1, as the principal term under section 1170.1, subdivision (a); (2) the trial

court erred in failing to stay his sentence on count 3 pursuant to section 654; (3) the trial

court erred in failing to stay his sentence on count 4 under section 654; and (4) the trial

court erred in failing to orally pronounce in detail all the fines and fees imposed. For the

reasons explained below, we will affirm the judgment with modifications and remand the

matter to the trial court with directions.

       1   All future statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise stated.

                                              2
                                            I

                              FACTUAL BACKGROUND

      On March 7, 2012, at around 11:00 p.m., Cesar Romero was driving home with

his girlfriend when he saw a blue car heading in the opposite direction make a U-turn and

speed up to his car. The blue car pulled up parallel to Romero’s car. Defendant, a Varrio

“Cochela” Rifa (VCR) gang member, was in the front passenger seat of the blue car,

another VCR gang member was driving the car, and defendant’s girlfriend was in the

backseat. Defendant yelled, “‘Coachella,’” and made a letter “C” with his hand. The

blue car merged toward Romero’s car, forcing Romero to merge and stop his car.

      Defendant exited the blue car holding a gun and ordered Romero out of his car.

Romero got out of his car with his hands up. Defendant pointed the gun at Romero’s

head and said, “‘I am the devil. Give me your money.’” Romero pulled out his wallet,

removed all the money he had, a single dollar bill, and gave it to defendant. Defendant

laughed and gave the dollar back to Romero. Defendant told Romero to not look at his

face and to “‘Get the fuck out of here.’” Romero got back into his car and drove away.

Romero’s girlfriend called 911 and Romero spoke with the police.

      Later that evening, law enforcement stopped a vehicle matching Romero’s

description. Defendant was in the front passenger seat and his girlfriend was in the

driver’s seat. A shotgun with five live rounds and seven spent rounds was found on the

floorboard behind the driver’s seat. During an in-field lineup, Romero and his girlfriend

identified defendant as the person who attempted to rob Romero.

                                            3
       A gang expert opined that defendant was an active member of the Avenue 53 VCR

gang based on defendant’s tattoos, self-admissions, and interviews with defendant’s

associates. The expert concluded that the crime was committed for the benefit of the

gang and in association with a gang member.

                                               II

                                        DISCUSSION

       A.     Selection of the Principal Term

       Defendant contends that the trial court erred in selecting count 2, the conviction

for felon in possession of a firearm, as the principal term, because the sentence on count 1

for attempted robbery carried the longest term, and therefore the trial court was required

to select count 1 as the principal term under section 1170.1, subdivision (a). He thus

urges this court to remand the matter for resentencing with directions to select count 1 as

the principal term. The People agree the case should be remanded with directions to the

trial court to select count 1 as the principal term.

       Section 1170.1 provides generally that if a sentencing court elects to impose

consecutive sentences when a defendant is convicted of multiple offenses, it must impose

an aggregate sentence composed of a principal term and subordinate terms. “The

principal term shall consist of the greatest term of imprisonment imposed by the court for

any of the crimes, including any term imposed for applicable specific enhancements. The

subordinate term for each consecutive offense shall consist of one-third of the middle

term of imprisonment prescribed for each other felony conviction for which a consecutive

                                               4
term of imprisonment is imposed, and shall include one-third of the term imposed for any

specific enhancements applicable to those subordinate offenses.” (§ 1170.1, subd. (a).)

The term “specific enhancement,” as used in section 1170.1, “means an enhancement that

relates to the circumstances of the crime.” (§ 1170.11.)

       Here, the trial court selected count 2 as the principal term and sentenced defendant

to the midterm of two years on that count. The remaining counts were designated as

subordinate terms. Despite the fact that the specific weapon and gang enhancements

were attached to a subordinate term, the attempted robbery in count 1, the court imposed

a full 10-year term on the weapon enhancement and a full 10-year term on the gang

enhancement. This was error. If count 1 was properly designated as a subordinate term,

then the specific enhancements attached to that count could not have been sentenced as

full terms, but rather had to be reduced to one-third the term.

       However, on this record, it is clear count 2 was not properly designated as a

subordinate term and count 1 was not properly designated as the principal term.

Structuring aggregate sentencing for multiple convictions is a three-step process. First,

the trial court determines the sentence to be imposed on each of the convictions. Second,

the trial court designates the longest of the sentences imposed in step one as the principal

term, and the shorter sentences as subordinate terms. Third, the trial court calculates the

sentence on each subordinate term as one-third of the middle term prescribed by statute

for each conviction. (People v. Miller (2006) 145 Cal. App. 4th 206, 216.) The reduction

of the sentence for the subordinate term does not occur before the court determines the

                                              5
principal term by selecting the longest of the sentences to be imposed. (Id. at pp. 216-

217.)

        As to count 2, the court imposed the midterm of two years. As to count 1, the

court imposed one-third of the midterm of 1.5 years or six months, plus two consecutive

10-year terms for the enhancement allegations attached to that count, for a total of 20

years six months on count 1. Determination of the principal term requires the court

include in its calculation “any term imposed for applicable specific enhancements.”

(§ 1170.1, subd. (a).) Accordingly, the sentence for the attempted robbery in count 1,

including the terms imposed for the applicable specific enhancements, should be 21.5

years (the midterm of 1.5 years, plus two 10-year terms for the weapon use and gang

enhancements attached to that count). Since count 1 had the greatest term of

imprisonment, it had to be designated the principal term. This determination is not a

discretionary one, but is mandated by section 1170.1. (See People v. Chagolla (1983)

144 Cal. App. 3d 422, 433, fn. 1.)

        Here, the court imposed a lawful sentence, but fashioned it in an unauthorized

manner. (People v. Mustafaa (1994) 22 Cal. App. 4th 1305, 1311.) We will therefore

remand the matter to the trial court to resentence defendant. The trial court is directed to

select attempted robbery in count 1 as the principal term and sentence defendant in

accordance with this opinion.

                                             6
       B.     Sentence on Count 3 (Possession of Ammunition by a Felon)

       Defendant also argues, and the People correctly concede, that sentencing on

count 3 (felon in possession of ammunition) should have been stayed pursuant to

section 654 because possession of the ammunition was incidental to possession of the

firearm by a felon (count 2).

       “Section 654 prohibits multiple punishment for a single physical act that violates

different provisions of the law.” (People v. Jones (2012) 54 Cal. 4th 350, 358.) “The

purpose of this statute is to prevent multiple punishment for a single act or omission, even

though that act or omission violates more than one statute and thus constitutes more than

one crime.” (People v. Hutchins (2001) 90 Cal. App. 4th 1308, 1312.)

       Based on the reasoning of People v. Lopez (2004) 119 Cal. App. 4th 132, we agree

with the parties. In that case, the court explained: “The Legislature has wisely declared

that specified people should not possess firearms and/or ammunition. The obvious

legislative intent is to prohibit these persons from combining firearms with ammunition.

[Defendant’s] obvious intent was to possess a loaded firearm. [¶] . . . While there may be

instances when multiple punishment is lawful for possession of a firearm and

ammunition, the instant case is not one of them. Where, as here, all of the ammunition is

loaded into the firearm, an ‘indivisible course of conduct’ is present and section 654

precludes multiple punishment.” (Id. at p. 138.)

                                             7
       Here, as in Lopez, the ammunition in defendant’s possession was loaded into the

firearm. Accordingly, the sentence on count 3 for felon in possession of ammunition

should have been stayed.

       C.     Sentence on Count 4 (Substantive Gang Offense)

       Relying on People v. Mesa (2012) 54 Cal. 4th 191, defendant further argues that

his consecutive sentence on count 4 for active participation in a criminal street gang, the

section 186.22, subdivision (a) substantive gang offense, should have been stayed

pursuant to section 654. The People agree, and so do we.

       In People v. Mesa (2012) 54 Cal. 4th 191 (Mesa), the California Supreme Court

held that section 654 does not permit separate punishment for the section 186.22,

subdivision (a) crime of active participation in a criminal street gang when the only

evidence of such participation is the current charged offenses, even if there are multiple

objectives. (Mesa, at pp. 199-200.)

       Here, as the People concede, the evidence supporting defendant’s active

participation in a criminal street gang was the evidence associated with the other charged

offenses of attempted robbery, felon in possession of a firearm, and felon in possession of

ammunition. Hence, defendant was convicted of both active gang participation and the

underlying felonies that were used to “‘transform[] mere gang membership—which, by

itself, is not a crime—into the crime of gang participation.’ [Citation.]” (Mesa, supra, 54

Cal.4th at p. 197.) Accordingly, pursuant to Mesa, at page 199, the trial court should

                                             8
have stayed the term it imposed for the section 186.22, subdivision (a) offense (count 4).

We will direct the trial court to correct the sentence accordingly.

       D.     Imposition of Fines and Fees

       Lastly, relying on People v. High (2004) 119 Cal. App. 4th 1192 (High), defendant

contends that the trial court erred in not complying with its statutory duty to orally

pronounce in detail each fine, fee and penalty imposed. The People respond that a trial

court is not required to orally pronounce in detail every fine and fee imposed and that the

trial court properly imposed the fines and fees by referencing the probation report.

       After the trial court sentenced defendant and informed him of his appeal rights, the

trial court came back on the record, noting it had forgot to address two issues. The trial

court stated: “No. 1, the Court adopts the recommendation of the probation department

with regard to the sentencing scheme, certain terms and conditions that are set forth

therein in the report. They’re all set forth on page 12, and the Court does adopt those as

being part of the T’s and C’s in this case. [¶] . . . [¶] With regard to the various fees that

are set forth in the recommendations, the Court in fact does adopt those

recommendations, so again, those T’s and C’s are all set forth on page 12.” The court did

not orally pronounce any of the fines or fees listed on page 12 of the probation report.

The court also failed to reference page 13 of the probation report, which noted a criminal

conviction fee, or impose a court security fee.

                                              9
       Page 12 of the probation report provides the following, in relevant part:

       “Pay victim restitution TBD and additional amounts determined by Probation;

Enhanced Collections Division to forward findings to Division of Adult Institutions

authorized to collect obligation. Pay interest on restitution of 10% per annum.

[Sections 1202.4, subdivisions (f), (f)(3)(G), and 2085.5.]

       “Pay restitution to the Restitution Fund to the extent the victim may receive

assistance from California Victims Compensation and Government Claims Board;

Division of Adult Institutions authorized to collect obligation; disputes to be resolved in

court hearing; findings to be forwarded to Enhanced Collection Division to Division of

Adult Institutions. [Sections 1202.4, subdivision (f)(2), and 2085.4.]

       “Pay restitution fine in the amount of $10,000.00; Division of Adult Institutions to

collect obligation. [Sections 1202.4 and 2085.5.]

       “Pay additional parole revocation restitution fine in the amount of $10,000.00; fine

is suspended unless parole is revoked. [Section 1202.45.]”

       Page 13 of the probation report provides, in pertinent part, the following: “Pay

criminal conviction assessment fee of $90.00 [$30 per convicted charge]; payable to

Division of Adult Institutions [Government Code, Section 70373].”

                                             10
       The clerk’s minute order of the sentencing hearing and the abstract of judgment

note the victim restitution to be determined by the probation department and the $10,000

fines imposed pursuant to sections 1202.4, subdivision (b), and 1202.45. The clerk’s

minute order and the abstract of judgment do not include the criminal conviction

assessment fee or the court security fee.

       In High, supra, 119 Cal. App. 4th 1192, the defendant was convicted of various

crimes and sentenced to state prison. (Id. at p. 1195.) There were clerical errors in the

abstract of judgment. (Id. at pp. 1199-1200.) Noting that although “a detailed recitation

of all the fees, fines and penalties on the record may be tedious” and that “California law

does not authorize shortcuts,” the appellate court explained that “[a]ll fines and fees must

be set forth in the abstract of judgment” because it “‘“‘digest[s] or summarize[s]’”’” the

judgment, and without such specification the Department of Corrections and

Rehabilitation “cannot fulfill its statutory duty to collect and forward deductions from

prisoner wages to the appropriate agency.” (Id. at p. 1200.) Thus, the Court of Appeal

remanded to the trial court to correct the clerical errors. (Id. at pp. 1200-1201.)

                                             11
       Here, the trial court’s reference to the probation report and its incorporation of

certain portions thereof was proper. (See People v. Voit (2011) 200 Cal. App. 4th 1353,

1373; People v. Sharret (2011) 191 Cal. App. 4th 859, 864.) However, the trial court’s

reference to the probation report was incomplete as it failed to include page 13 of the

probation report. Further, the court failed to impose the mandatory court security fee.

After oral pronouncement of the sentence occurs, “[t]he responsibility then falls to the

trial court clerk to specify the penalties and surcharge in appropriate amounts in the

minutes and, more importantly, the abstract of judgment.” (People v. Sharret, supra, at

p. 864; see also People v. Voit, supra, at p. 1373.) Neither the minute order nor the

abstract of judgment specify all the penalties and surcharges to be imposed here.

       Accordingly, we must remand the case to the trial court for it to set forth the fines,

fees, and assessments to be imposed upon defendant, and to identify and specify the

statutory bases for all fines, fees, and assessments imposed upon defendant. (See High,

supra, 119 Cal.App.4th at pp. 1200-1201.)

                                             III

                                      DISPOSITION

       The matter is remanded for resentencing in accordance with this opinion. On

remand, the trial court is directed to select the attempted robbery conviction in count 1 as

the principal term; stay defendant’s sentence on count 3 for possession of ammunition by

a felon; and stay defendant’s sentence on count 4 for the substantive gang offense. On

remand, the trial court is also directed to impose the relevant and mandatory fines, fees,

                                             12
and assessments. Following the resentencing hearing, the clerk of the superior court is

directed to prepare an amended abstract of judgment reflecting the modifications made at

the resentencing hearing and to forward a copy of the amended abstract of judgment to

the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. In all other respects, the judgment is

affirmed.

      NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS

                                                              RAMIREZ
                                                                                      P. J.
We concur:

RICHLI
                          J.

MILLER
                          J.

                                           13