Court Opinion

ID: 4292622
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-07-09 21:09:12.000664+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:12:34.375720
License: Public Domain

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                               Appellate Court                            Date: 2018.06.26
                                                                          09:56:35 -05'00'

                   People v. Anderson, 2018 IL App (4th) 160037

Appellate Court    THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v.
Caption            TYYUAN ANDERSON, Defendant-Appellant.

District & No.     Fourth District
                   Docket No. 4-16-0037

Filed              May 30, 2018
Rehearing denied   June 19, 2018

Decision Under     Appeal from the Circuit Court of Macon County, No. 15-CF-764; the
Review             Hon. Jeffrey S. Geisler, Judge, presiding.

Judgment           Affirmed in part and vacated in part; cause remanded with directions.

Counsel on         Michael J. Pelletier, Patricia Mysza, and Eric E. Castaneda, of State
Appeal             Appellate Defender’s Office, of Chicago, for appellant.

                   Jay Scott, State’s Attorney, of Decatur (Patrick Delfino, David J.
                   Robinson, and Allison Paige Brooks, of State’s Attorneys Appellate
                   Prosecutor’s Office, of counsel), for the People

Panel              PRESIDING JUSTICE HARRIS delivered the judgment of the court,
                   with opinion.
                   Justices Steigmann and DeArmond concurred in the judgment and
                   opinion.
                                             OPINION

¶1       Defendant, Tyyuan Anderson, appeals from his convictions of armed violence, unlawful
     possession of a weapon by a felon, and unlawful possession of a controlled substance with
     intent to deliver. In his direct appeal, defendant challenges the sufficiency of the State’s
     evidence, the comments of the prosecutor during closing argument, the constitutionality of his
     sentence, whether there was a violation of the one-act, one-crime doctrine, and the imposition
     of fines and associated credits. We affirm defendant’s convictions and sentence but vacate the
     improperly imposed fine and remand for the trial court to amend the sentencing judgment and
     impose the fine authorized by statute with the application of the appropriate per diem credit.

¶2                                       I. BACKGROUND
¶3       On July 1, 2015, the State charged defendant with (1) armed violence (720 ILCS
     5/33A-2(a), 33A-3(a) (West 2014)) (count I), a Class X felony, for knowingly possessing
     cocaine (720 ILCS 570/402 (West 2014)) while armed with a handgun; (2) unlawful
     possession of a weapon by a felon (720 ILCS 5/24-1.1(a) (West 2014)) (count II), a Class 3
     felony, for knowingly possessing a firearm after having been convicted of possession of a
     stolen motor vehicle in Macon County case No. 14-CF-783; (3) unlawful possession of a
     controlled substance with intent to deliver (720 ILCS 570/401(c)(2) (West 2014)) (count III), a
     Class 1 felony, for knowingly possessing with the intent to deliver between 1 and 15 grams of
     cocaine; (4) unlawful possession of a controlled substance (720 ILCS 570/402(c) (West 2014))
     (count IV), a Class 4 felony, for knowingly possessing less than 15 grams of cocaine; (5)
     unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver (720 ILCS 550/5(b) (West 2014)) (count
     V), a Class A misdemeanor, for knowingly and unlawfully possessing with the intent to deliver
     between 2.5 and 10 grams of cannabis; and (6) unlawful possession of cannabis (720 ILCS
     550/4(b) (West 2014)) (count VI), a Class B misdemeanor, for knowingly and unlawfully
     possessing between 2.5 and 10 grams of cannabis.
¶4       The charges against defendant stem from a June 24, 2015, encounter between detectives
     from the Decatur Police Department’s street-crimes unit and three males, one of whom was
     defendant. The three males were walking in the middle of a street at approximately 11:30 p.m.
     According to the officers’ sworn statements, one officer asked defendant to come toward him.
     Rather than comply with the officer’s request, defendant fled on foot in the opposite direction.
     Both officers gave chase and were able to take defendant into custody after he fell over a brush
     pile in a nearby residential backyard. Officers found a black Glock 27 handgun lying
     approximately two to three feet in front of defendant. In defendant’s right pocket, officers
     found seven bags of cannabis and a separate bag containing nine individually packaged bags of
     suspected crack cocaine. At the time of his arrest, defendant was on probation for a
     stolen-vehicle conviction (Macon County case No. 14-CF-783).
¶5       Defendant’s jury trial began on November 10, 2015. Detective Scott Rosenberry testified
     he and Detective James Callaway were on a “proactive enforcement operation” at
     approximately 11:30 p.m. on June 24, 2015, in cooperation with other Decatur police officers
     focusing on high-crime areas within the city. The detectives were dressed in plain clothes and
     black tactical vests with “police” written on the front and back. They were in a white unmarked
     Chevrolet Impala equipped with interior red and blue lights, a siren, and a driver-side mounted
     spotlight. As they traveled westbound in the 400 block of West Leafland Avenue, they

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       observed three males walking in the roadway. Rosenberry used his spotlight to “light up the
       area,” and the officers got out of the vehicle to approach the subjects. Rosenberry called to one
       of the subjects, later identified as defendant, to come to him. Defendant, who was wearing
       shorts and a hooded sweatshirt with the hood up and pulled tightly to reveal only the front
       portion of his face, fled on foot. Rosenberry said he yelled, “ ‘Police. Stop,’ ” but defendant
       disregarded his commands and continued to run. Defendant ran through the backyards of
       nearby houses but fell over a large brush pile and ended up on his stomach. Rosenberry said he
       noticed defendant kept his hands “tucked inside towards the front of his waistband near his
       stomach” as he ran. Rosenberry put defendant’s arms behind his back as defendant lay on the
       ground until Callaway arrived and secured defendant in handcuffs. Upon illuminating the area
       with a flashlight, the officers saw a Glock 27 handgun with a 15-round magazine lying two to
       three feet in front of defendant. The gun was secured and later sent to the Illinois State Police
       (ISP) crime lab for fingerprint testing.
¶6          Rosenberry said the officers conducted a search incident to defendant’s arrest and found a
       clear plastic Baggie in the pocket of defendant’s shorts containing seven individually wrapped
       packages of a substance, which was field-tested positive for cannabis, and a separate knotted
       Baggie with nine individually packaged, field-tested-positive rocks of crack cocaine. The State
       introduced as exhibits photographs of the contraband and the contraband itself.
¶7          On cross-examination, Rosenberry testified the foot pursuit of defendant lasted no more
       than 20 seconds before he fell. He said defendant was wearing “basketball shorts,” which, as
       far as he could remember, were not secured with a belt. Rosenberry did not see defendant
       holding a gun nor did he see defendant throw or drop a gun. Rosenberry said he was “still
       securing” defendant while Callaway searched him. Rosenberry saw Callaway take the drugs
       and a cellular telephone from defendant’s pocket. Rosenberry identified the handgun during
       his testimony and testified it appeared the gun had dirt in the “checkering on the grip.” The
       Baggie, containing all of the drugs found, was knotted at the top and tied shut. Inside the bag
       were seven individual knotted Baggies containing cannabis. An eighth bag was knotted closed
       and contained nine individual Baggie corners with a rock of crack cocaine in each.
¶8          Decatur police officer Steve Hagemeyer testified he was on patrol that evening and
       responded to the scene after the detectives’ call for assistance. When he approached the
       backyard where defendant had been apprehended, he shown his flashlight around the area and
       saw a Glock semiautomatic handgun lying two to three feet from defendant. On
       cross-examination, Hagemeyer testified he did not know how the gun came to be in that
       location nor did he see defendant with the gun at any time.
¶9          Detective James Callaway testified, corroborating much of Rosenberry’s testimony. He
       said they attempted to make contact with defendant and the two other males because they were
       “improperly walking in the roadway.” He said when Rosenberry asked defendant to approach
       them, both officers were out of the vehicle and the word “Police” on their vests would have
       been visible. Callaway testified consistently with Rosenberry’s testimony regarding the foot
       pursuit, apprehension of defendant, discovery of the gun, and search of defendant’s pockets
       yielding the drugs.
¶ 10        Callaway spoke with defendant after his arrest. Defendant told Callaway he ran from them
       because he “thought someone was after him.” He said “he guessed” he realized it was the
       police during the pursuit. Callaway identified the gun and the bags of drugs as those recovered
       at the scene.

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¶ 11        On cross-examination, Callaway testified he secured a search warrant for the cellular
       phone found in defendant’s pocket in an attempt to find information on the gun or drugs.
       Callaway did not find any incriminating photographs or text messages. On the night of the
       incident, Callaway did not see defendant with the gun, and defendant denied carrying it.
       However, in Callaway’s opinion, defendant dropped the gun when he fell. The gun was tested
       for latent fingerprints but not deoxyribonucleic acid (commonly known as DNA). According
       to Callaway, defendant told him he ran because he thought “someone was trying to get him”
       because “of everything going on.” Callaway confirmed there had been recent shootings in the
       area. When Callaway informed defendant he would be charged with armed violence, defendant
       stated he had not harmed anyone. Defendant said he knew nothing about a gun.
¶ 12        Kristin Stiefvater, a drug chemist with the ISP crime lab, testified she weighed the
       substance believed to be crack cocaine and then performed a color test and mass spectrometry.
       The total weight of the nine separate plastic bags was 0.7 grams and the contents tested
       positive for cocaine.
¶ 13        Gary Havey, a forensic scientist also with the ISP crime lab, testified he tested the handgun
       for latent fingerprints and could conclude only that the handgun had been touched. He found
       “ridge detail” on the handgun but nothing suitable to either identify or exclude any person.
¶ 14        Decatur police officer David Dailey testified as the State’s expert in the field of narcotics
       distribution and use. Dailey said the majority of cocaine in Decatur comes from the source
       cities of Chicago and Indianapolis, whereas the majority of cannabis comes from California
       and Colorado. He said the typical dosage unit for crack cocaine is 0.2 grams and 0.5 grams for
       cannabis. The street value for crack cocaine is $100 per gram and $10 per gram for cannabis.
       After Dailey’s review of the investigative reports in this case, he said in his opinion, to a
       reasonable degree of certainty, the cocaine and cannabis were possessed with the intent to
       distribute. His opinion was based on the weight and packaging of each substance in addition to
       the absence of paraphernalia. He said without paraphernalia, defendant had no means to
       consume either drug. On cross-examination, Dailey testified the street value of the drugs found
       on defendant totaled $126.70, $70 of cocaine and $56.70 of cannabis.
¶ 15        At the close of the State’s case, the trial court read two stipulations to the jury. First, the
       parties agreed defendant had been convicted of a prior felony on June 24, 2015. Second,
       Decatur police officer Troy Kretsinger, an expert in the field of cannabis identification,
       determined to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty that the substance weighing 5.6 grams
       was cannabis but, if called to testify, he would have no basis to form an opinion regarding
       defendant’s intent for its use. The State rested.
¶ 16        Defendant moved for a directed verdict, arguing the State failed to present sufficient
       evidence for the jury to determine defendant possessed (1) the cannabis and cocaine with the
       intent to deliver, (2) the handgun, and (3) between 1 and 15 grams of cocaine to satisfy the
       Class 1 felony offense as charged in count III. The trial court denied defendant’s motion,
       finding the State presented a prima facie case for counts I, II, IV, V, and VI, and indicated it
       would allow the State to instruct the jury as to count III on a lesser offense.
¶ 17        The State made an oral motion to amend count III to conform it with the evidence
       presented at trial. The State asked the information be amended to reflect that defendant
       allegedly possessed less than one gram of cocaine with the intent to deliver, changing the
       offense from a Class 1 felony to a Class 2 felony. The trial court granted the motion, allowing
       the State to amend count III by interlineation.

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¶ 18       Defendant did not present any evidence. Prior to closing arguments, the trial court advised
       the jury of the following: “What the lawyers say to you during arguments is not evidence and
       should not be considered by you as evidence. The lawyers are permitted to draw conclusions
       and reasonable inferences from the evidence previously presented to you.” During the State’s
       closing argument, the prosecutor argued the concepts of “constructive possession” and
       “circumstantial evidence” as those terms related to the handgun. The prosecutor stated:
                    “So to believe this defendant didn’t possess the handgun, you would have to
                believe that it had just been lying loaded in this yard and just been left there. Is that
                reasonable? No. Do people leave loaded handguns laying in plain view in a yard?
                No—”
       Defense counsel objected, claiming “[t]hat’s not in evidence. We had no testimony as to
       whether or not how often this occurs or it doesn’t occur.” The trial court overruled the
       objection.
¶ 19       The jury found defendant guilty of armed violence (count I), unlawful possession of a
       weapon by a felon (count II), unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to
       deliver (count III), and unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver (count V).
¶ 20       On December 11, 2015, defendant filed a motion for a new trial, alleging several trial
       errors, including some of those presented in this appeal. At a hearing on December 30, 2015,
       the trial court denied defendant’s motion. The court then proceeded to sentencing. Neither
       party presented evidence other than the presentence investigation report (PSI). The State
       recommended 20 years in prison for the armed-violence conviction and concurrent 10-year
       terms on the other merged offenses. Defendant recommended 15 years in prison for the
       armed-violence conviction and concurrent 5-year terms on the other merged offenses. After
       considering the PSI, defendant’s criminal history, his age, and arguments of counsel, the court
       sentenced defendant to 16 years for the armed-violence conviction (count I), two concurrent
       five-year terms for the unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon (count II) and the unlawful
       possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver (count III) convictions, and 60
       days in jail for the unlawful possession of cannabis with the intent to deliver conviction (count
       V). The court ordered a $2,000 mandatory assessment on count III, a $100 lab fee, and a $126
       street-value fine. The court awarded defendant $995 in per diem credit to be applied toward his
       fines.
¶ 21       This appeal followed.

¶ 22                                          II. ANALYSIS
¶ 23                                  A. Possession of the Handgun
¶ 24       Defendant first contends the State failed to prove him guilty of armed violence and
       unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon because it failed to prove beyond a reasonable
       doubt he possessed the handgun. The police officers testified they never saw defendant with
       the handgun nor did they see him throw or drop the weapon. They only saw the handgun lying
       on the ground two to three feet from defendant when the area was illuminated by a flashlight.
       Defendant claims this evidence was insufficient to support the possession element of the
       offenses. We disagree.
¶ 25       Initially, we note the parties disagree over the standard of review. Defendant claims no
       relevant facts are in dispute and therefore our review is de novo. See People v. Smith, 191 Ill.

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       2d 408, 411 (2000). On the other hand, the State contends questions of fact remain because
       factual inferences must be drawn from the evidence presented at trial. Because defendant is
       challenging the sufficiency of the evidence with regard to the elements required for his
       convictions, we agree with the State. De novo standard of review applies only when the facts
       are not in dispute and the defendant’s guilt is a question of law. Smith, 191 Ill. 2d at 411.
                    “When considering a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence in a criminal case,
               our function is not to retry the defendant. [Citation.] Rather, our inquiry 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 offense beyond a reasonable
               doubt. [Citation.] This means that we must allow all reasonable inferences from the
               record in favor of the prosecution. [Citation.] ‘We will not reverse a conviction unless
               the evidence is so improbable, unsatisfactory, or inconclusive that it creates a
               reasonable doubt of defendant’s guilt.’ ” People v. Lloyd, 2013 IL 113510, ¶ 42
               (quoting People v. Collins, 214 Ill. 2d 206, 217 (2005)).

¶ 26                                         1. Armed Violence
¶ 27        The State charged defendant with armed violence predicated on unlawful possession of a
       controlled substance while armed with a handgun, a Category I weapon (720 ILCS
       5/33A-1(c)(2), 33A-2(a) (West 2014)). Our supreme court has emphasized the purpose of the
       armed-violence statute is to deter felons from using dangerous weapons, thereby minimizing
       the deadly consequences that may result when a felony victim resists. People v. Condon, 148
       Ill. 2d 96, 109 (1992). That is, a defendant violates this statute by simply having possession of
       a firearm during the commission of another predicate felony. “Thus, for [the purpose of the
       statute] to be served, it would be necessary that the defendant have some type of immediate
       access to or timely control over the weapon.” (Emphasis in original.) Condon, 148 Ill. 2d at
       110. “A felon with a weapon at his or her disposal is forced to make a spontaneous and often
       instantaneous decision to kill without time to reflect on the use of such deadly force. [Citation.]
       Without a weapon at hand, the felon is not faced with such a deadly decision.” Condon, 148 Ill.
       2d at 109-10. The question here is whether the weapon found a few feet from defendant
       qualifies as the available access to the gun that the legislature sought to avoid. We will discuss
       further below.

¶ 28                         2. Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon
¶ 29       The State also charged defendant with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. 720
       ILCS 5/24-1.1(a) (West 2014). A defendant violates this statute if he “knowingly posses[es] on
       or about his person *** any firearm *** if the person has been convicted of a felony under the
       laws of this State or any other jurisdiction.” 720 ILCS 5/24-1.1(a) (West 2014). Unlike the
       proof required for a conviction for armed violence, here, the State must prove beyond a
       reasonable doubt the defendant had a prior felony conviction. 720 ILCS 5/24-1.1(a) (West
       2014). However, like the proof required for a conviction for armed violence, the State must
       prove beyond a reasonable doubt the defendant possessed the gun. This element may be
       satisfied with proof the defendant had constructive possession, i.e., he knew of the gun and it
       was in his immediate and exclusive control. People v. Hester, 271 Ill. App. 3d 954, 961 (1995).

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¶ 30                                    3. Constructive Possession
¶ 31       Possession of contraband may be actual or constructive. People v. Neylon, 327 Ill. App. 3d
       300, 306 (2002). “Actual possession is proved by testimony which shows that defendant has
       exercised some dominion over the [contraband]. [Citation.] The act of dominion may be that
       defendant had the [contraband] on his body, that he tried to conceal it, [or] that he was seen
       throwing it away.” People v. Howard, 29 Ill. App. 3d 387, 389 (1975). However, mere
       proximity is not sufficient evidence to prove actual possession. Howard, 29 Ill. App. 3d at 389.
¶ 32       “Actual possession need not be demonstrated if constructive possession can be inferred.”
       Neylon, 327 Ill. App. 3d at 306. To establish constructive possession, the State must prove
       beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant (1) knew the handgun was present and (2) exercised
       immediate and exclusive control over the area where the handgun was found. People v. Sams,
       2013 IL App (1st) 121431, ¶ 10. Knowledge may be shown by evidence of defendant’s acts,
       declarations, or conduct from which it can be inferred that he knew the handgun existed in the
       place where it was found. People v. Spencer, 2012 IL App (1st) 102094, ¶ 17. Control may be
       shown by evidence that defendant had the intent and capability to maintain control and
       dominion over the handgun, even if he lacked personal present dominion over it. Spencer,
       2012 IL App (1st) 102094, ¶ 17. “ ‘Knowledge and possession are questions of fact to be
       resolved by the trier of fact, whose findings should not be disturbed upon review unless the
       evidence is so unbelievable, improbable, or palpably contrary to the verdict that it creates a
       reasonable doubt of guilt.’ ” People v. Faulkner, 2017 IL App (1st) 132884-B, ¶ 39 (quoting
       People v. Luckett, 273 Ill. App. 3d 1023, 1033 (1995)).
¶ 33       Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, we conclude a rational trier of
       fact could have found beyond a reasonable doubt defendant, a convicted felon, had knowledge
       of, and had immediate access to, the loaded handgun. Detective Rosenberry testified
       defendant’s hands were “tucked inside towards the front of his waistband” as he fled from the
       police, and while he was still on the ground being secured, the gun was found two to three feet
       away. From this evidence, we find it was reasonable for the jury to believe defendant was
       armed with the handgun while he was being pursued by the police.
¶ 34       Defendant cites several cases in support of his argument. However, we find the evidence in
       this case is distinguishable from that presented in defendant’s cited authority. For example, in
       People v. Wright, 2013 IL App (1st) 111803, ¶ 26, the appellate court reversed the defendant’s
       conviction of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon because the State failed to sufficiently
       prove the defendant knowingly possessed the gun. This was so because the State was unable to
       prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant “exercised exclusive or immediate control
       over the area where the weapon was found.” Wright, 2013 IL App (1st) 111803, ¶ 26. There,
       the gun was found underneath the defendant’s torso after he had fallen down stairs at the same
       time as another man. The defendant was one of five people in the immediate area of the
       basement of a residence that was not the defendant’s. For these reasons, the State could not
       prove beyond a reasonable doubt that it was the defendant, as opposed to the others in the
       immediate area, who constructively possessed the gun. Wright, 2013 IL App (1st) 111803,
       ¶ 26. Contrary to the facts in Wright, in this case, it would be reasonable to describe defendant
       as having the exclusive or immediate control over the area where the weapon was found, as no
       others were present in the yard.
¶ 35       Also distinguishable are the facts set forth in the First District’s decision in Sams. See
       Sams, 2013 IL App (1st) 121431, ¶ 13. There, the reviewing court found the State had failed to

                                                   -7-
       prove the defendant constructively possessed the weapon found underneath a couch in a
       residence that was not the defendant’s, but one that the defendant was seen exiting. The court
       noted the police officers’ “testimony shows only that [the] defendant walked out of a house in
       which a gun was later found. Mere presence in the vicinity or access to the area in which
       contraband is found is insufficient to establish constructive possession.” Sams, 2013 IL App
       (1st) 121431, ¶ 13. Again, the facts in this case, unlike the facts in Sams, indicate defendant
       had exclusive and immediate control of the area where the gun was found.
¶ 36       Our supreme court has “ ‘consistently held that a conviction may be based solely on
       circumstantial evidence.’ People v. Patterson, 217 Ill. 2d 407, 435 (2005); [People v.] Hall,
       194 Ill. 2d [305,] 330 *** [(2000)] (‘Circumstantial evidence is sufficient to sustain a criminal
       conviction, provided that such evidence satisfies proof beyond a reasonable doubt of the
       elements of the crime charged’).” People v. Wheeler, 226 Ill. 2d 92, 120 (2007). Based on the
       evidence presented at trial, a rational trier of fact could have reasonably concluded, at the time
       defendant was a convicted felon, he had knowledge of the firearm and exercised immediate
       and exclusive control over the area where it was found. The jury was entitled to infer defendant
       was indeed carrying the weapon on his person before he fell. In other words, it could find,
       beyond a reasonable doubt, defendant was armed for the purposes of the statute. Thus, we find
       the evidence was sufficient to support the conclusion defendant had possession of the handgun
       recovered at the time of his arrest.

¶ 37                       B. Sufficiency of the Evidence of Armed Violence
¶ 38       Next, defendant argues, because he was not in possession of the handgun at the time of his
       arrest, he could not be considered “armed with a dangerous weapon” for the purposes of his
       armed-violence conviction. As such, the issue before us is whether defendant was “armed” as
       that term is defined in the armed-violence statute. “A person is considered armed with a
       dangerous weapon for purposes of this Article, when he or she carries on or about his or her
       person or is otherwise armed with a Category I, Category II, or Category III weapon.” 720
       ILCS 5/33A-1(c)(1) (West 2014). The supreme court has further refined the definition of
       “ ‘otherwise armed’ ” to mean having immediate access to or timely control over the weapon.
       Condon, 148 Ill. 2d at 110.
¶ 39       As briefly mentioned above, the purpose of the armed violence statute is to deter felons
       from using weapons during the commission of an offense. Smith, 191 Ill. 2d at 411-12 (citing
       Condon, 148 Ill. 2d at 109). Keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of criminals
       minimizes the deadly consequences should circumstances go awry. Smith, 191 Ill. 2d at 412.
       The analysis of the sufficiency of the evidence for this conviction should consider whether the
       defendant had “ ‘ “immediate access to” ’ or ‘ “timely control over” ’ a weapon” at the time he
       was confronted by the police. Smith, 191 Ill. 2d at 412 (quoting Condon, 148 Ill. 2d at 110).
¶ 40       In Smith, the supreme court concluded the defendant did not have the required access to or
       control over the weapon in question at the time the police entered the residence because the
       defendant had dropped the gun out of a window. Smith, 191 Ill. 2d at 412. The court found that
       allowing a conviction for armed violence to stand against this defendant “would not serve, but
       rather would frustrate, the statute’s purpose of deterring criminals from involving themselves
       and others in potentially deadly situations.” Smith, 191 Ill. 2d at 413.
¶ 41       Here, a reasonable jury could have found from the evidence defendant possessed the gun in
       question in that he was likely carrying the gun on his person during the police pursuit and then

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       either dropped it or discarded it when he fell. Regardless, defendant had “immediate access to
       or timely control over the weapon” while he committed the felony offense of unlawful
       possession of a controlled substance. (Emphasis omitted.) Condon, 148 Ill. 2d at 110. We find
       the facts of this case further the deterrence purpose of the armed-violence statute in that
       defendant had immediate access to this weapon and, as the legislature recognized, “a felon
       with immediate access to a weapon was predisposed to use it when confronted with resistance,
       either from victims, law enforcement representatives, or other criminals.” Neylon, 327 Ill.
       App. 3d at 308. It was reasonable for the jury to conclude this loaded weapon was immediately
       accessible to defendant before and during defendant’s arrest so that he was “otherwise armed,”
       as that term is defined, during the commission of the predicate felony of unlawful possession
       of a controlled substance.

¶ 42                                C. Claim of Prosecutorial Misconduct
¶ 43        Defendant also contends the prosecutor improperly argued during closing argument that it
       was unreasonable to believe anything other than it was defendant’s gun lying in the yard.
       Defendant points to two specific instances in the prosecutor’s closing argument. First, the
       prosecutor stated: “So to believe this defendant didn’t possess the handgun, you would have to
       believe that it had just been lying loaded in this yard and just been left there. Is that reasonable?
       No. Do people leave loaded handguns laying in plain view in a yard? No.” Second, the
       prosecutor, during rebuttal, commented on defendant’s silence during police questioning as
       evidence of his guilt. The prosecutor stated:
                    “But remember the testimony of Detective Callaway, [defendant] didn’t
                continually deny having the gun. When Detective Callaway first confronted him with
                the gun, he—he said nothing. He was silent. He asked him about it several times and
                there was no response. Then later in the interview, he begins to deny it. It’s a different
                thing than the entire time saying, [‘W]hat gun? I didn’t have it.’ ”
¶ 44        Defendant claims, given the “highly contested” issue in this case of whether defendant
       possessed the gun, the prosecutor’s comments greatly prejudiced him in light of the overall
       close evidence in the case. Defendant contends the State’s entire case relied on inferences and
       circumstantial evidence and, thus, the prosecutor’s improper comments in closing argument
       swayed the jury toward a guilty verdict and jeopardized his right to a fair trial.
¶ 45        The first contested comment was sufficiently preserved for appeal by counsel’s objection
       at trial and the inclusion of the issue in his posttrial motion. See People v. Piatkowski, 225 Ill.
       2d 551, 564 (2007). “[W]here the defendant has made a timely objection and properly
       preserved an error for review, the reviewing court conducts a harmless-error analysis in which
       the State has the burden of persuasion with respect to prejudice.” People v. McLaurin, 235 Ill.
       2d 478, 495 (2009).
¶ 46        Defendant failed to sufficiently preserve the issue related to the second comment by neither
       objecting during the trial nor including the issue in his posttrial motion. See People v. Enoch,
       122 Ill. 2d 176, 186 (1988). However, defendant asks this court to review the issue under the
       plain-error doctrine set forth in People v. Herron, 215 Ill. 2d 167, 186-87 (2005) (to bypass
       forfeiture, a reviewing court may consider an unpreserved error if either (1) the evidence is
       close, regardless of the seriousness of the error, or (2) the error is serious, regardless of the
       closeness of the evidence). When applying plain error, the burden of persuasion remains with
       defendant. Herron, 215 Ill. 2d at 187.

                                                     -9-
¶ 47       “Whether statements made by a prosecutor at closing argument were so egregious that they
       warrant a new trial is a legal issue this court reviews de novo.” Wheeler, 226 Ill. 2d at 121.
       Although the supreme court was clear about this standard of review in Wheeler, and we later
       adopted that standard in People v. Wilson, 2015 IL App (4th) 130512, ¶ 66, we point out this
       court has recently noted the existence of a conflict among other courts regarding the correct
       standard. See People v. Trice, 2017 IL App (4th) 150429, ¶ 61 (the First District in People v.
       Anderson, 2017 IL App (1st) 122640, spoke of a conflict between Wheeler and People v.
       Hudson, 157 Ill. 2d 401, 441 (1993), where the court suggested the issue should be reviewed
       for an abuse of discretion). Like we did in Trice, we need not take a position here on the proper
       standard of review because defendant’s claim fails under either standard.
¶ 48       When reviewing a prosecutor’s comments during closing argument, the reviewing court
       asks whether the comments engendered “substantial prejudice against a defendant such that it
       is impossible to say whether or not a verdict of guilt resulted from them.” Wheeler, 226 Ill. 2d
       at 123. If a court of review cannot conclude “the prosecutor’s improper remarks did not
       contribute to the defendant’s conviction, a new trial should be granted.” Wheeler, 226 Ill. 2d at
       123. During closing argument, prosecutors are granted wide latitude. Wheeler, 226 Ill. 2d at
       123. “Closing arguments are viewed in their entirety, and the challenged remarks are
       considered within the context in which they were conveyed.” People v. Lewis, 2017 IL App
       (4th) 150124, ¶ 67.
¶ 49       As defendant observes, there was no physical evidence and no eyewitness testimony tying
       him to the handgun. In its prosecution, the State relied solely on inferences and circumstantial
       evidence. Defendant’s defense at trial was that he denied having any knowledge of the gun.
       Thus, defendant claims, the prosecutor’s improper remarks spoke directly to the determinative
       issue of whether defendant possessed a gun.

¶ 50                                  1. Prosecutor’s First Comment
¶ 51       Defendant contends the prosecutor improperly argued facts not in evidence when she
       urged the jurors to rely on their personal experiences about the reasonableness of someone
       leaving a loaded gun laying in plain view in a yard. As stated above, this issue was properly
       preserved for appeal, and thus, we must determine whether the trial court erred by overruling
       defendant’s objection and allowing the prosecutor’s comments to stand. If we find error, we
       then determine whether the error was harmless. See McLaurin, 235 Ill. 2d at 495.
¶ 52       While prosecutors should not make comments that could cause the jury to speculate about
       facts not in evidence (People v. Howell, 358 Ill. App. 3d 512, 527 (2005)), they are allowed to
       comment on the evidence and on any fair and reasonable inference the evidence may yield.
       People v. Runge, 234 Ill. 2d 68, 142 (2009). “It has been held that prosecutors may discuss
       subjects of common experience or common sense in closing argument as well. [Citation.]
       Indeed, since this court has acknowledged that jurors do not leave their common sense behind
       when they enter court [citation], it would seem proper for prosecutors to couch arguments in
       those terms and make appeals thereto.” Runge, 234 Ill. 2d at 146. “ ‘Jurors do not leave their
       common sense behind when they enter court, and even in the absence of cautionary
       instructions they will ordinarily be aware of the factors which make some witnesses
       unreliable.’ ” People v. Steidl, 142 Ill. 2d 204, 238 (1991) (quoting People v. Rollins, 108 Ill.
       App. 3d 480, 488 (1982)).

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¶ 53       We find defendant mischaracterizes the prosecutor’s statement as an argument of facts not
       in evidence. By urging the jury to consider the unreasonableness of someone leaving a loaded
       weapon lying in plain view in a yard, the prosecutor was simply asking jurors to use their
       common sense and to conclude that such a scenario was improbable. Here, the prosecutor’s
       comment was a permissible request to the jury to draw an inference from the evidence
       presented, not a misstatement of facts or an argument of facts not in evidence. On this issue, we
       find no error. Instead, we observe it was simply effective and permissible advocacy. As we
       stated in People v. Dunlap, 2011 IL App (4th) 100595, ¶ 28:
               “[F]elony criminal trials are serious matters with high stakes, and we expect advocates
               in our adversarial system of justice—both prosecutors and defense attorneys—to ‘use
               all of their forensic skills to persuade the jury of the wisdom or justice of their
               respective positions.’ ”

¶ 54                                2. Prosecutor’s Second Comment
¶ 55       We now address the prosecutor’s comment about defendant’s post-Miranda silence, doing
       so under the first step of a plain-error analysis. “The first step of plain-error review is
       determining whether any error occurred.” People v. Thompson, 238 Ill. 2d 598, 613 (2010).
¶ 56       Generally, remarks by a prosecutor regarding a defendant’s postarrest silence are improper
       when used to create an inference of guilt. People v. Edwards, 309 Ill. App. 3d 447, 454 (1999).
       However, such individual error may not require reversal. Edwards, 309 Ill. App. 3d at 455.
¶ 57       Here, defendant contends the prosecutor improperly commented on defendant’s silence
       during his police interview, implying evidence of his guilt. The prosecutor stated:
                  “But remember the testimony of Detective Callaway, [defendant] didn’t
              continually deny having the gun. When Detective Callaway first confronted him with
              the gun, he—he said nothing. He was silent. He asked him about it several times and
              there was no response. Then later in the interview, he begins to deny it. It’s a different
              thing than the entire time saying, [‘W]hat gun? I didn’t have it.’ ”
       The prosecutor made this comment during her rebuttal closing argument. During the trial, the
       prosecutor asked Callaway if, during the interview, he had asked defendant “about the firearm
       that was located.” Callaway said he had. The prosecutor asked if he had discussed with
       defendant the “potential charges *** given the location of the cocaine and the firearm.”
       Callaway said he had and defendant responded he “didn’t hurt anyone.” On cross-examination,
       defense counsel asked Callaway if defendant denied carrying a gun. Callaway said yes.
¶ 58       On redirect examination, the following exchange occurred:
                  “Q. When you asked—when you began to ask him about the gun, at some point in
              the interview he began to deny carrying a gun, correct?
                  A. Yes.
                  Q. When you first asked him about the gun, what was his response?
                  A. He became silent and wouldn’t respond.
                  Q. And did you ask him several questions about the gun?
                  A. Yes.
                  Q. Did—would he respond at all to any of those questions?
                  A. No.”

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¶ 59        On recross-examination, defense counsel attempted to clarify the issue with the following
       questions:
                    “Q. And then now when you talk about him not answering questions about the gun,
                he never at any point said he had a gun, correct?
                    A. That’s correct.
                    Q. In fact, the only answer he gave was he didn’t know what you were talking
                about?
                    A. Correct.”
¶ 60        During defendant’s closing argument, counsel argued defendant “continually throughout
       this interview denie[d] knowing anything about the gun. So it’s not like he admitted to
       possessing it. There’s nothing of that at all. He continually denie[d].” In response, at the
       beginning of her rebuttal argument, the prosecutor addressed counsel’s statement that
       defendant “continually denied having the gun.” The prosecutor attempted to clarify that
       defendant did not “continually deny having the gun.” (Emphasis added.) The prosecutor
       wanted the jury to know that defendant initially said nothing, but later in the interview, he
       denied having the handgun.
¶ 61        Putting the contested comment in context, as we are required to do (People v. Burgess, 176
       Ill. 2d 289, 319 (1997)), it appears the prosecutor was rebutting defense counsel’s statement
       that defendant, during his police interview, “continually denied” knowing anything about the
       gun. According to the State, this was a mischaracterization of defendant’s interview responses.
       During his cross-examination of Callaway, it was defense counsel who first broached the
       subject of whether defendant had said in the interview that he knew about the gun. The
       prosecutor never asked Callaway on direct examination about defendant’s refusal to answer
       questions about the gun. Once defense counsel brought up the subject on cross-examination,
       the prosecutor clarified it on redirect and also disputed counsel’s argument in her rebuttal
       closing argument. Although the prosecutor referenced defendant’s post-Miranda silence, she
       did so to clarify or dispute defendant’s representation to the jury on the same subject.
¶ 62        Our supreme court has held that otherwise improper argument by the State will not be
       considered error when the comments are based on reasonable inferences drawn from the
       evidence or invited by the closing argument of defense counsel. People v. Kliner, 185 Ill. 2d
       81, 153 (1998). The jury was entitled to hear the prosecutor’s version of the events, i.e., that
       defendant did not actually continually deny knowing about the gun during the interview but,
       rather, he initially refused to answer such questions. Not answering the question and denying
       the question are two different responses, and the prosecutor was allowed to clarify that for the
       jury. We find no error, and thus, we honor defendant’s procedural default. The issue is
       forfeited and is not subject to plain-error analysis.

¶ 63               D. As-Applied Constitutional Challenge to Armed-Violence Sentence
¶ 64       Defendant contends, for the first time on appeal, the statute mandating a minimum 15-year
       sentence on his armed-violence conviction (720 ILCS 5/33A-3(a) (West 2014)) violated both
       the Illinois and United States Constitutions as applied to him because the trial court was
       precluded from considering “the signature qualities of [defendant]’s youth in issuing his
       sentence.” Defendant was arrested less than two weeks after he turned 18. He claims his
       16-year sentence for armed violence, predicated on his possession of 0.7 grams of cocaine, was

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       disproportionate to the crime considering his age, lack of criminal history, and the fact the
       sentence frustrates the purpose of restoring him to useful citizenship. See Ill. Const. 1970, art.
       I, § 11.
¶ 65        Statutes are presumed constitutional, and a court must construe a statute so as to affirm its
       constitutionality if possible. People v. Dinelli, 217 Ill. 2d 387, 397 (2005). To defeat this
       presumption, the party challenging the validity of a statute has the burden of clearly
       establishing a constitutional violation. People v. Jones, 223 Ill. 2d 569, 596 (2006). The
       constitutionality of a statute is a question of law requiring a de novo standard of review. Jones,
       223 Ill. 2d at 596.
¶ 66        Relying on the United States Supreme Court and Illinois Supreme Court line of cases
       addressing the adult sentencing scheme as applied to youthful adults, defendant argues the trial
       court here was wrongly precluded from sentencing defendant, a youthful offender, to anything
       less than the mandatory minimum of 15 years. Accordingly, defendant claims, the court was
       unable to fully consider a lesser sentence that would afford him an opportunity for meaningful
       rehabilitative potential.
¶ 67        Defendant also relies on State v. Lyle, 854 N.W.2d 378, 402 (Iowa 2014), where the Iowa
       Supreme Court held all mandatory minimum juvenile sentences are unconstitutional. We are
       not persuaded to consider this foreign decision as applicable to the facts of this case. Instead,
       we follow our supreme court precedent, which has interpreted the three United States Supreme
       Court cases addressing the above-referenced juvenile sentencing issue. See Miller v. Alabama,
       567 U.S. 460 (2012); Graham v. Florida, 560 U.S. 48 (2010); Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551
       (2005). As our supreme court has stated, the rationale expressed in these three United States
       Supreme Court cases should be invoked “only in the context of the most severe of all criminal
       penalties.” People v. Patterson, 2014 IL 115102, ¶ 110. In this case, defendant’s sentence of 16
       years is not of the same or similar severity as those involved in the cases defendant cites to
       which were de facto life sentences. Cf. People v. Merriweather, 2017 IL App (4th) 150407,
       ¶ 19 (juvenile’s 70-year sentence may be analyzed under Miller in proper collateral
       proceedings). We find defendant’s constitutional challenge unavailing.

¶ 68                                         E. Intent to Deliver
¶ 69       Defendant next contends his convictions related to his possession of cocaine and cannabis
       should be reduced to simple possession because the State failed to prove he intended to deliver,
       rather than personally use, the drugs. The evidence in this case demonstrated defendant
       possessed 0.7 grams of crack cocaine and 5.6 grams of cannabis. The State’s expert witness,
       Officer Dailey, testified the typical personal dosage unit for crack cocaine is 0.2 grams and 0.5
       grams for cannabis. In Dailey’s opinion, the drugs in defendant’s possession were intended to
       be sold based upon the weight, the packaging, and the absence of paraphernalia.
¶ 70       “Where a criminal conviction is challenged based on insufficient evidence, a reviewing
       court, considering all of the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, must
       determine whether any rational trier of fact could have found beyond a reasonable doubt the
       essential elements of the crime.” People v. Brown, 2013 IL 114196, ¶ 48. “When considering
       the sufficiency of the evidence, ‘our function is not to retry the defendant.’ ” People v.
       Beauchamp, 241 Ill. 2d 1, 8 (2011) (quoting People v. Sutherland, 223 Ill. 2d 187, 242 (2006)).
       “As a reviewing court, ‘[w]e will not reverse a conviction unless the evidence is so improbable,

                                                   - 13 -
       unsatisfactory, or inconclusive that it creates a reasonable doubt of defendant’s guilt.’ ”
       Beauchamp, 241 Ill. 2d at 8 (quoting Collins, 214 Ill. 2d at 217).
¶ 71       In Robinson, our supreme court recognized a criminal defendant’s intent to deliver a
       controlled substance is usually proved by circumstantial evidence. People v. Robinson, 167 Ill.
       2d 397, 408 (1995). The court found factors probative to an intent deliver include (1) “whether
       the quantity of controlled substance in defendant’s possession is too large to be viewed as
       being for personal consumption”; (2) the purity of the drug; (3) possession of weapons, large
       amounts of cash, and cellular telephones; (4) presence of drug paraphernalia; and (5) “the
       manner in which the substance is packaged.” Robinson, 167 Ill. 2d at 408.
¶ 72       The Robinson court expressly stated, “[t]he question of whether the evidence is sufficient
       to prove intent to deliver must be determined on a case-by-case basis” (Robinson, 167 Ill. 2d at
       412-13) and cautioned: “In light of the *** infinite number of potential factual scenarios in
       [drug] cases, there is no hard and fast rule to be applied in every case” (Robinson, 167 Ill. 2d at
       414). “It is the jury’s function to weigh the evidence, assess the credibility of the witnesses,
       resolve conflicts in the evidence, and draw reasonable inferences therefrom.” People v.
       Washington, 2012 IL 110283, ¶ 60.
¶ 73       A reasonable jury could have relied on Dailey’s testimony that it was likely defendant
       intended to deliver the packages he was carrying, based on the following: (1) both drugs were
       in individually wrapped packages, (2) he was carrying more doses than typically used for
       personal use, (3) he was carrying no means to consume the drugs himself, and (4) as the jury
       concluded, he possessed a handgun. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the
       State, we conclude the evidence in this case was sufficient to support an inference defendant
       intended to deliver the cocaine and the cannabis.

¶ 74                                      F. One-Act, One-Crime
¶ 75       Defendant also contends his convictions for unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon
       and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver should be vacated under the
       one-act, one-crime doctrine because they constitute the underlying felonies of his
       armed-violence conviction and are carved from the same physical act. We disagree.
¶ 76       The State charged defendant in count I with armed violence, alleging he knowingly
       possessed cocaine while armed with a handgun. See 720 ILCS 5/33A-2(a) (West 2014). In
       count II, the State charged defendant with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. See 720
       ILCS 5/24-1.1(a) (West 2014). In count III, the State charged defendant with unlawful
       possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver cocaine. See 720 ILCS
       570/401(c)(2) (West 2014). Defendant insists his convictions under counts II and III cannot
       stand.
¶ 77       The one-act, one-crime doctrine was first espoused by our supreme court in People v. King,
       66 Ill. 2d 551, 559-66 (1977). The King doctrine provides that a defendant’s conduct cannot
       result in multiple convictions if the convictions are based on precisely the same physical act
       and any of the offenses are included offenses. King, 66 Ill. 2d at 566. The supreme court
       reaffirmed the King doctrine in People v. Rodriguez, 169 Ill. 2d 183, 186 (1996). To analyze
       the doctrine, the reviewing court must first determine whether a defendant’s conduct consisted
       of separate acts or a single physical act. Rodriguez, 169 Ill. 2d at 186. If separate acts were
       involved, the court must then determine whether any of the offenses are included offenses.
       Rodriguez, 169 Ill. 2d at 186.

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¶ 78        Defendant relies on People v. Williams, 302 Ill. App. 3d 975, 978 (1999), where the Second
       District concluded the defendant’s convictions for unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon
       and armed violence were born out of the same physical act. In Williams, the defendant was
       convicted of and sentenced to concurrent terms of 18 years in prison for armed violence based
       on possession of a controlled substance and 10 years in prison for unlawful possession of a
       weapon by a felon. The court held the two convictions were born out of the common act of a
       felon possessing a gun and drugs simultaneously. “In one instance the gun is combined with
       possession of a controlled substance to constitute armed violence, and in the other it is
       combined with the act of a convicted felon status to create a separate offense.” Williams, 302
       Ill. App. 3d at 978. Accordingly, the court reversed the separate conviction for unlawful
       possession of a weapon by a felon and vacated the sentence. Williams, 302 Ill. App. 3d at 978.
¶ 79        In People v. White, 311 Ill. App. 3d 374, 385 (2000), where the defendant was also
       convicted of armed violence predicated on being armed while in possession of a controlled
       substance and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, this court concluded Williams was
       wrongly decided. We determined the defendant’s possession of the gun and his possession of
       the drugs, though simultaneous, were distinct acts. White, 311 Ill. App. 3d at 385. Also, it was
       not dispositive that the defendant’s possession of the gun was common to both convictions.
       White, 311 Ill. App. 3d at 385. We cited Rodriguez for the proposition that a person can be
       guilty of two offenses when a common act is part of both. White, 311 Ill. App. 3d at 385 (citing
       Rodriguez, 169 Ill. 2d at 188). This court determined
                “that defendant’s convictions for armed violence and unlawful possession of a weapon
                were based on separate acts. Though defendant may have possessed the weapon and
                the drugs close in time, or even simultaneously, we conclude nevertheless that each
                possession was a separate act. Although both offenses shared the common act of
                possession of a weapon, armed violence required the additional act of possession of the
                drugs, and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon required the additional element
                of status as a felon. Accordingly, the two offenses did not result from precisely the
                same physical act.” White, 311 Ill. App. 3d at 386.
¶ 80        In a recent decision, our supreme court was asked to reconcile Williams and White. See
       People v. Coats, 2018 IL 121926, ¶ 25. In doing so, the court concluded Williams misapplied
       the one-act, one-crime rule. Coats, 2018 IL 121926, ¶ 26. The court reminded that “a
       defendant can be convicted of two offenses even when they share a common act, as long as
       there is an additional act that can support a separate offense.” Coats, 2018 IL 121926, ¶ 26
       (citing Rodriguez, 169 Ill. 2d at 189).
¶ 81        Because defendant’s possession of a handgun and his possession of drugs were separate
       acts, there is no violation under the first step of the King doctrine. See Coats, 2018 IL 121926,
       ¶ 27. Considering the second step of the King doctrine, we determine whether either offense is
       an included offense using the abstract elements approach. Coats, 2018 IL 121926, ¶ 30.
       “Under the abstract elements approach, a comparison is made of the statutory elements of the
       two offenses. If all of the elements of one offense are included within a second offense and the
       first offense contains no element not included in the second offense, the first offense is deemed
       a lesser-included offense of the second.” People v. Miller, 238 Ill. 2d 161, 166 (2010).
¶ 82        Here, defendant was convicted of armed violence, which required his possession of the gun
       at the time he unlawfully possessed cocaine. See 720 ILCS 5/33A-2(a) (West 2014). He was
       also convicted of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, which required his possession of

                                                  - 15 -
       a gun and having been convicted of a prior felony. See 720 ILCS 5/24-1.1(a) (West 2014).
       Each offense, though sharing the common act of possessing the weapon, required an additional
       act not required by the other. Thus, the two offenses did not result from the same physical act.
       See White, 311 Ill. App. 3d at 386. Because we find no error, defendant’s alternative claim of
       ineffective assistance of counsel for failing to raise the one-act, one-crime issue at sentencing
       is without merit.

¶ 83                                      G. Sentencing Judgment
¶ 84        Finally, defendant challenges the imposition of certain fines and fees and the application of
       the proper per diem credit. For his first argument, defendant contends the sentencing judgment
       should reflect he was convicted of the unlawful possession of less than 1 gram of cocaine (720
       ILCS 570/401(d) (West 2014)), a Class 2 felony, not 1 gram or more but less than 15 grams of
       cocaine (720 ILCS 570/401(c)(2) (West 2014)), a Class 1 felony. The State concedes this
       issue, and we accept the State’s concession. On remand, we order the trial court to amend the
       sentencing judgment to accurately reflect defendant’s conviction of unlawful possession of
       cocaine with intent to deliver in count III as a Class 2 felony rather than a Class 1 felony.
¶ 85        Defendant also questions whether his per diem credit of $5 per day (for a total of $995) for
       each day spent in pretrial custody was awarded toward his fines. At the sentencing hearing, the
       trial court assessed defendant $2000 as a drug-assessment fine pursuant to section 411.2(a)(2)
       of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act (720 ILCS 570/411.2(a)(2) (West 2014) (the required
       assessment for a Class 1 felony is $2000)). Because defendant was actually convicted of a
       Class 2 felony, he claims the court should have assessed a fine of $1000 pursuant to section
       411.2(a)(3). See 720 ILCS 570/411.2(a)(3) (West 2014) (the required assessment for a Class 2
       felony is $1000). Applying his $995 per diem credit to the required $1000 fine, defendant
       would be left with a $5 balance instead of the $1005 he claims is shown on the “fines and fees
       order,” which we do not find as part of the record before us.
¶ 86        The State claims the $2000 assessment should not be disturbed because defendant should
       have actually been assessed $3000 pursuant to section 411.2(a)(1). See 720 ILCS
       570/411.2(a)(1) (West 2014) (the required assessment for a Class X felony is $3000). Because
       defendant was convicted of a Class X offense when “he unlawfully possessed cocaine while
       armed with a handgun,” the State claims, defendant should be assessed the Class-X-required
       assessment. We disagree with the State’s interpretation of this statute.
¶ 87        Section 411.2(a) states as follows: “Every person convicted of a violation of this Act, ***
       shall be assessed for each offense a sum fixed at: (1) $3,000 for a Class X felony; (2) $2,000 for
       a Class 1 felony; (3) $1,000 for a Class 2 felony ***.” (Emphasis added.) 720 ILCS
       570/411.2(a) (West 2014). The statutory language is clear that the assessments only apply to
       violations of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act (720 ILCS 570/100 to 603 (West 2014)),
       not the Criminal Code of 2012 (720 ILCS 5/1-1 to 49-6 (West 2014)). Defendant’s Class X
       conviction of armed violence is governed by sections 33A-2 and 33A-3 of the Criminal Code
       of 2012 (720 ILCS 5/33A-2(a), 33A-3(a) (West 2014)). Thus, we conclude defendant’s drug
       fine should have been assessed as a Class 2 felony in the amount of $1000 (720 ILCS
       570/411.2(a)(3) (West 2014)) less the per diem credit awarded in the amount of $995. We
       vacate the improperly imposed fine and remand with directions for the trial court to impose the
       appropriate fine as authorized by statute and award the appropriate per diem credit.

                                                   - 16 -
¶ 88                                       III. CONCLUSION
¶ 89       For the reasons stated, we affirm the trial court’s judgment, remand for the trial court to
       amend the sentencing judgment to reflect the proper class felony for count III (a Class 2
       felony), vacate the improperly imposed fine, and remand with directions for the trial court to
       impose the appropriate fine as authorized by statute as set forth above. As part of our judgment,
       we award the State its $75 statutory assessment against defendant as costs of this appeal.

¶ 90      Affirmed in part and vacated in part; cause remanded with directions.

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