Court Opinion

ID: 2696543
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-04 15:40:36.698605+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:44:24.359153
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Hites, 2012-Ohio-1892.]

                       IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                           THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                HARDIN COUNTY

STATE OF OHIO,

        PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,                                CASE NO. 6-11-07

        v.

SANDRA D. HITES,                                           OPINION

        DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.

                  Appeal from Hardin County Common Pleas Court
                            Trial Court No. 20112162CRI

                                       Judgment Affirmed

                              Date of Decision: April 30, 2012

APPEARANCES:

        David K. Goodin for Appellant

        Bradford W. Bailey and Ryan Zerby for Appellee
Case No. 6-11-07

SHAW, P.J.

       {¶1} Defendant-appellant, Sandra D. Hites (“Hites”), appeals the October

13, 2011 judgment of the Hardin County Court of Common Pleas sentencing her

to serve eight years in prison for her conviction on two counts of sexual battery.

       {¶2} On August 4, 2011, the Hardin County Prosecutor filed a bill of

information alleging Hites committed two counts of sexual battery, in violation of

R.C. 2907.03(A)(7), both felonies of the third degree. On the same day, Hites also

signed a waiver of indictment and pled guilty to both counts listed in the bill of

information. The charges stemmed from two incidents during which Hites, a

teacher’s aide and a coach at a local school district, digitally penetrated the vagina

of a thirteen-year-old student on school premises.

       {¶3} On October 11, 2011, Hites appeared for sentencing.               At the

sentencing hearing, the prosecution recommended a prison term of three years on

each count of sexual battery to run consecutively for a total six-year sentence.

After considering the arguments from the prosecution, the defendant and her

counsel, the pre-sentence investigative report and a statement written by the

victim’s parents, in addition to the evidence contained in the record, the trial court

sentenced Hites to serve four years in prison on each count of sexual battery with

the prison terms to run consecutively for a total of eight years in prison. Hites was

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Case No. 6-11-07

also classified as a Tier III sexual offender. Hites’ sentence was journalized in the

trial court’s October 13, 2011 judgment entry of conviction and sentence.

       {¶4} Hites now appeals, asserting the following assignments of error.

                       ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. I

       DEFENDANT’S EIGHT YEAR SENTENCE IS CONTRARY
       TO LAW BECAUSE IT IS INCONSISTENT WITH
       SENTENCES   IMPOSED   FOR   SIMILAR  CRIMES
       COMMITTED BY SIMILAR OFFENDERS.

                       ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. II

       THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED PREJUDICIAL ERROR
       WHEN IT RELIED ON NEW MATERIAL FACTS IN
       SENTENCING THE DEFENDANT WITHOUT CONTINUING
       THE HEARING OR TAKING OTHER APPROPRIATE
       ACTIONS TO ALLOW THE DEFENDANT AN ADEQUATE
       OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND, AS REQUIRED BY [R.C.]
       2930.14(B).

                      ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. III

       THE DEFENDANT’S SENTENCES ARE VOID AND MUST
       BE VACATED BECAUSE THE TRIAL COURT RELIED
       UPON       UNCONSTITUTIONAL     STATUTES,      [R.C.]
       2929.14(E)(4)  AND   [R.C.] 2929.14(E)(4)(b), WHEN
       SENTENCING THE DEFENDANT.

                      ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. IV

       DEFENDANT’S EIGHT YEAR SENTENCE IS UNDULY
       HARSH AND NOT SUPPORTED BY THE RECORD, AND
       THEREFORE CONSTITUTES AN ABUSE OF THE TRIAL
       COURT’S DISCRETION.

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Case No. 6-11-07

                      ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. V

      DEFENDANT’S SENTENCE IS CONTRARY TO LAW
      BECAUSE THE TRIAL COURT EMPLOYED THE
      “SENTENCING PACKAGE” DOCTRINE.

      {¶5} For ease of discussion, we elect to discuss some of Hites’

assignments of error together and out of order.

               First, Fourth and Fifth Assignments of Error

      {¶6} In her first, fourth and fifth assignments of error, Hites argues that the

trial court abused its discretion in imposing the eight-year prison term and asserts

that the prison term imposed by the trial court is contrary to law. Specifically,

Hites claims that the eight-year prison term imposed by the trial court is unduly

harsh and was not supported by the record. Hites also argues that the sentence

imposed by the trial court is contrary to law because it is inconsistent with

sentences imposed for similar crimes committed by similar offenders and because

the trial court erroneously employed the “sentencing package” doctrine in

imposing Hites’ sentence.

      {¶7} An appellate court must conduct a meaningful review of the trial

court’s sentencing decision. State v. Daughenbaugh, 3d Dist. No. 16–07–07,

2007–Ohio–5774, ¶ 8, citing State v. Carter, 11th Dist. No. 2003–P–0007, 2004–

Ohio–1181. In particular, R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) provides the following regarding an

appellate court’s review of a sentence on appeal.

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Case No. 6-11-07

      The court hearing an appeal * * * shall review the record,
      including the findings underlying the sentence or modification
      given by the sentencing court.

      The appellate court may increase, reduce, or otherwise modify a
      sentence that is appealed under this section or may vacate the
      sentence and remand the matter to the sentencing court for
      resentencing. The appellate court’s standard for review is not
      whether the sentencing court abused its discretion. The
      appellate court may take any action authorized by this division if
      it clearly and convincingly finds either of the following:

      (a) That the record does not support the sentencing court’s
      findings under division (B) or (D) of section 2929.13, division
      (B)(2)(e) or (C)(4) of section 2929.14, or division (I) of section
      2929.20 of the Revised Code, whichever, if any, is relevant;

      (b) That the sentence is otherwise contrary to law.

      {¶8} In addition, a sentence imposed for a felony shall be reasonably

calculated to achieve the two overriding purposes of felony sentencing, which are

to protect the public from future crimes by the offender and others and to punish

the offender, and shall be commensurate with and not demeaning to the

seriousness of the offender’s conduct and its impact upon the victim, and

consistent with sentences imposed for similar crimes committed by similar

offenders.” See R.C. 2929.11(A),(B).

      {¶9} Hites pled guilty to two counts of sexual battery in violation of R.C.

2907.03(A)(7), both felonies of the third degree.        Revised Code Section

2907.03(A)(7) provides, in pertinent part.

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Case No. 6-11-07

        (A) No person shall engage in sexual conduct with another, not
        the spouse of the offender, when any of the following apply:

        (7) The offender is a teacher, administrator, coach, or other
        person in authority employed by or serving in a school for which
        the state board of education prescribes minimum standards
        pursuant to division (D) of section 3301.07 of the Revised Code,
        the other person is enrolled in or attends that school, and the
        offender is not enrolled in and does not attend that school.

        {¶10} Pursuant to R.C. 2929.14(A)(3)(a), “[f]or a felony of the third degree

that is a violation of section * * * 2907.03 * * * of the Revised Code, * * * the

prison term shall be twelve, eighteen, twenty-four, thirty, thirty-six, forty-two,

forty-eight, fifty-four, or sixty months.” Here, the trial court sentenced Hites to

four years, or forty-eight months, on each count of sexual battery, which is within

the statutory range and not the maximum sentence the trial court was authorized to

impose. The trial court also determined that the facts of this case warranted

imposing the two, four-year prison terms to run consecutively.

        {¶11} The revisions to the felony sentencing statutes under H.B. 86 now

require a trial court to make specific findings when imposing consecutive

sentences.1 In particular, R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) provides, in relevant part:

        (4) If multiple prison terms are imposed on an offender for
        convictions of multiple offenses, the court may require the
        offender to serve the prison terms consecutively if the court finds
        that the consecutive service is necessary to protect the public
        from future crime or to punish the offender and that consecutive
        sentences are not disproportionate to the seriousness of the
1
 We note that because H.B. 86 took effect on September 30, 2011, and Hites was sentenced on October 13,
2011, the trial court was required to sentence Hites according to the revisions implemented in H.B. 86.

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Case No. 6-11-07

       offender’s conduct and to the danger the offender poses to the
       public, and if the court also finds any of the following:

       (a) The offender committed one or more of the multiple
       offenses while the offender was awaiting trial or sentencing, was
       under a sanction imposed pursuant to section 2929.16, 2929.17,
       or 2929.18 of the Revised Code, or was under post-release
       control for a prior offense.

       (b) At least two of the multiple offenses were committed as part
       of one or more courses of conduct, and the harm caused by two
       or more of the multiple offenses so committed was so great or
       unusual that no single prison term for any of the offenses
       committed as part of any of the courses of conduct adequately
       reflects the seriousness of the offender’s conduct.

       (c) The offender’s history of criminal conduct demonstrates
       that consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public
       from future crimes by the offender.

Both on the record at the sentencing hearing and in the judgment entry of

conviction and sentence, the trial court articulated the appropriate findings

consistent with the directives of R.C. 2929.14(C)(4). Specifically, the trial court

made the following findings:

       The Court finds that consecutive sentences are necessary to
       protect the public from future crime and to punish the offender,
       and that consecutive sentences are not disproportionate to the
       seriousness of the offender’s conduct and to the danger the
       offender poses to the public; and further, that the two offenses
       were committed as part of one or more courses of conduct and
       the harm caused by the two offenses was so great or unusual that
       no single prison term for any of the offenses committed as part
       of any of the courses of conduct adequately reflects the
       seriousness of the offender’s conduct.

(JE, Oct. 13, 2011 at p.4); (see, also, Trans. Oct. 11, 2011 Hrg. at p. 19).

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Case No. 6-11-07

       {¶12} In addition, the trial court also stated the following on the record at

the sentencing hearing regarding its rationale for imposing Hites’ sentence.

       I went back, Ms. Hites, and checked my records, and there have
       been people who committed sexual offenses in this county who
       have been put on community control. Those offenses were
       entirely different than this offense. The Court is very troubled
       by the fact that you used a position of trust with this child, but
       more importantly, that you used your position in the public
       schools to facilitate one or more of these offenses. That causes
       me great concern. [Your attorney] says you understand you
       caused harm. I’m not sure how much harm you realize you’ve
       caused, because it’s more than just this child. It’s a whole school
       system, it’s a whole way of thinking about people and how they
       interact with children. For someone who is dedicated to young
       people, the Court doesn’t see that. Maybe there’s a lot of things
       I wasn’t apprised of today, but this is not dedication to young
       people, this is taking advantage of one young person. The Court
       certainly, I would believe had this not come on a bill of
       information, that you probably would be looking at a life
       sentence in prison for these offenses at this point in time. So
       anything the Court does, I would think would be something a
       whole lot less than that, because I don’t have that ability * * *
       the Court finds that you are not amenable to an available
       combination of community control sanctions. [I] [f]ind that to
       not send you to prison would be seriously ignoring the harm that
       you have caused in this particular manner * * *[and] that only
       prison can, in fact, justify punishment in this case.

(Trans. Oct. 11, 2011 Hrg. at pp. 16-18).

       {¶13} Initially, we note that on appeal Hites claims the trial court

improperly used the “sentencing package” doctrine when it imposed consecutive

sentences. Specifically, Hites contends that the trial court attempted to achieve a

particular aggregate sentence and considered the two offenses as one group in

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Case No. 6-11-07

order to impose an omnibus sentence, a sentencing concept which has been

rejected by the Supreme Court of Ohio. See State v. Saxon, 109 Ohio St.3d 176,

2006-Ohio-1245. In support of her argument, Hites points to a comment made by

the trial court during the sentencing hearing, in which the trial court stated the

following:

       The Court certainly, I would believe had this not come on a bill
       of information, that you probably would be looking at a life
       sentence in prison for these offenses at this point in time.

(Trans. Oct. 11, 2011 Hrg. at pp. 17-18). Hites maintains that this comment

demonstrates that by imposing consecutive sentences, the trial court attempted to

impose a sentence more appropriate for the charge of rape rather than imposing a

sentence appropriate for the lesser charges of sexual battery for which Hites was

convicted. However, when this comment is taken out of isolation and viewed in

the context of the entire rationale stated by the trial court for imposing the

sentence, it is evident that the trial court relied on specific aggravating facts and

circumstances in the record when it imposed consecutive sentences for Hites’

conviction for two counts of sexual battery. There is no evidence in the record

that the trial court ignored the statutory provisions of sentencing in order to obtain

the result of a lengthy sentence. Thus, we find Hites’ claim that the trial court

improperly applied the “sentencing package” doctrine to her case to be meritless.

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Case No. 6-11-07

       {¶14} On appeal, Hites also argues that the sentence imposed by the trial

court is contrary to law because it is inconsistent with sentences imposed for

similar crimes committed by similar offenders. Hites further maintains that her

sentence is unduly harsh and not supported by the record. Initially, we note that

other appellate districts have stated the following regarding this issue:

       R.C. 2929.11(B) imposes a duty upon the trial court to insure
       consistency among the sentences it imposes. * * * [It is] also
       recognized, however, that trial courts are limited in their ability
       to address the consistency mandate, and appellate courts are
       hampered in their review of this issue, by the lack of a reliable
       body of data upon which they can rely. * * * “[A]lthough a
       defendant cannot be expected to produce his or her own
       database to demonstrate the alleged inconsistency, the issue
       must at least be raised in the trial court and some evidence,
       however minimal, must be presented to the trial court to provide
       a starting point for analysis and to preserve the issue for
       appeal.” Having failed to raise this issue at sentencing, [the
       defendant] cannot now argue that the sentence imposed by the
       trial court was inconsistent with those imposed on similar
       offenders.

State v. Bell, 2d Dist. No. 2004-CA-5, 2005-Ohio-655, at ¶ 140, quoting State v.

Roberts, 8th Dist. No. 84070, 2005-Ohio-28, at ¶ 60, internal citations omitted;

see, also, State v. McClendon, 7th Dist. No. 11 MA 15, 2012-Ohio-1410, ¶ 15.

The record demonstrates that Hites failed to object to the sentence imposed by the

trial court at the sentencing hearing or to otherwise raise the issue challenging the

consistency of her sentence with sentences imposed for similar crimes committed

by similar offenders.

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Case No. 6-11-07

      {¶15} Moreover, Hites cites to a variety of other appellate decisions in

support of her arguments that the sentence imposed by the trial court is

inconsistent with sentences imposed for similar crimes committed by similar

offenders and is unduly harsh and not supported by the record. However, there are

several distinguishing factors present when comparing this case to the ones cited

by Hites. We note that “there is no grid under Ohio law under which identical

sentences must be imposed for various classifications of offenders.” State v.

Allsup, 3d Dist. No. 6-10-09, 2011-Ohio-404, ¶ 56, citing State v. Dawson, 8th

Dist. No. 86417, 2006-Ohio-1083, ¶ 31. But rather, an appellate court must

examine the record not to decide whether the trial court “imposed a sentence that

is in lockstep with others, but whether the sentence is so unusual as to be outside

the mainstream of local judicial practice. Although the offense[s] may be similar,

distinguishing factors may justify dissimilar treatment.” Dawson at ¶ 31.

      {¶16} Consequently, a consistent sentence is not achieved from a case-by-

case comparison, but by the trial court’s proper application of the statutory

sentencing guidelines. State v. Hall, 179 Ohio App.3d 727, 2008-Ohio-6228, ¶ 10.

Thus, a sentencing court is not required to make a comparison of the current case

to previous cases, but is required to appropriately apply the statutory sentencing

guidelines in order to maintain consistency. State v. Saur, 10th Dist. No. 10AP-

1195, 2011-Ohio-6662, ¶ 37, citing State v. Holloman, 10th Dist. No. 07AP-875,

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2008-Ohio-2650. Therefore, an offender cannot simply present other cases in

which an individual convicted of the same offense received a lesser sentence to

demonstrate that his sentence is disproportionate. State v. Hayes, 10th Dist. No.

08AP-233, 2009-Ohio-1100, ¶ 10.

       {¶17} In the instant case, the record demonstrates that Hites was placed in a

position of trust at the victim’s school as a teacher’s aide, a coach and a mentor.

Hites began to take an interest in the thirteen-year-old victim and helped her

practice volleyball and basketball after school.     The record indicates that the

incidents in question occurred in the school locker room and bathroom during and

after school hours. Some of these incidents occurred in the presence of a special

needs child, of whom Hites was placed in charge during the school day. There is

evidence in the record that Hites used this special needs child as an excuse to leave

her classroom during the school day so that she could see the victim. Hites was

able to get permission to take the victim out of her classroom to assist with the

child, and then took both the victim and the child to the locker room, where she

kissed, fondled, and digitally penetrated the victim in the presence of the child.

Even though Hites was charged with two counts of sexual battery, the record

indicates that Hites sexually abused the victim on several occasions.

       {¶18} In imposing Hites’ sentence, the trial court specifically recited the

relevant facts and circumstances in the record to support the particular sentence

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Case No. 6-11-07

imposed. The trial court also explicitly stated in its judgment entry of conviction

and sentencing that it considered the overriding purposes of the felony sentencing

statutes stated in R.C. 2929.11, and balanced the seriousness and recidivism

factors in R.C. 2929.12. In addition, the sentences imposed by the trial court did

not exceed the permissible statutory range for the offenses for which Hites was

convicted. Based on our review of the record, we conclude that the trial court

considered the necessary statutory provisions and appropriately applied them to

the particular facts and circumstances of this case. Therefore, we are unpersuaded

by Hites’ contentions that her sentence is disproportionate to sentences imposed

for similar crimes committed by similar offenders and that her sentence is unduly

harsh and not supported by the record.

      {¶19} Based on the foregoing discussion, Hites’ first, fourth and fifth

assignments of error are overruled.

                           Second Assignment of Error

      {¶20} In her second assignment of error, Hites claims the trial court

committed prejudicial error when it relied on new material facts introduced at the

sentencing hearing without continuing the hearing or allowing her an adequate

opportunity to respond. Hites’ argument under this assignment of error stems

from the written statement of the victim’s parents which was read into the record

at sentencing by the court-appointed Victim’s Advocate. In this statement, the

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Case No. 6-11-07

victim’s parents refer to allegations that Hites’ not only sexual abused their

daughter, but physically abused her as well by punching her on four occasions and

shoving her, causing her to fall down and injure her knee. Hites relies on R.C.

2930.14(B) in support of her argument, which states that

      The court shall consider a victim’s statement made under
      division (A) of this section along with other factors that the court
      is required to consider in imposing sentence or in determining
      the order of disposition. If the statement includes new material
      facts, the court shall not rely on the new material facts unless it
      continues the sentencing or dispositional proceeding or takes
      other appropriate action to allow the defendant or alleged
      juvenile offender an adequate opportunity to respond to the new
      material facts.

      {¶21} Initially, we note that R.C. 2930.14 only addresses a victim’s

statement.   However, R.C. 2929.19(A) permits the offender, the prosecuting

attorney, the victim or the victim’s representative in accordance with section

2930.14 of the Revised Code, and, with the approval of the court, any other person

to present information relevant to the imposition of sentence in the case at the

sentencing hearing. Regardless of who made the statement, the issue on appeal is

the same—specifically, whether the record indicates that the trial court relied on

new material facts when it imposed Hites’ sentence without allowing Hites an

adequate opportunity to respond to the new material facts.

      {¶22} The record demonstrates that immediately after the statement of the

victim’s parents was read, the trial court gave Hites’ an opportunity to respond to

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the statement prior to imposing her sentence. At this time, Hites admitted to

sexually abusing the victim, but denied physically abusing the victim in the

manner alleged in the statement. Moreover, there is no indication in the record

that the trial court took these allegations of physical abuse into consideration when

rendering Hites’ sentence.     Rather, as previously discussed, the trial court

specifically stated the relevant facts it relied upon in imposing Hites’ sentence,

which pertained to Hites’ repeated and systematic sexual abuse of the victim and

not the additional allegations of physical abuse. Accordingly, we do not find that

the trial court committed any prejudicial error to the defendant on this basis.

Hites’ second assignment of error is overruled.

                             Third Assignment of Error

       {¶23} In her third assignment of error, Hites alleges that the trial court

relied on unconstitutional provisions of the felony sentencing statutes when it

imposed her sentence. Hites bases her argument on the decision of the Supreme

Court of Ohio in State v. Foster, 109 Ohio St.3d 1, 2006-Ohio-856, in which the

Supreme Court severed and declared unconstitutional portions of the felony

sentencing statute in effect at that time. However, we note that the Supreme Court

in State v. Hodge, 128 Ohio St.3d 1, 2010-Ohio-6320 has since acknowledged that

the severed portions of the felony sentencing statute would be considered

constitutional under the decision of the United States Supreme Court of Oregon v.

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Ice, 555 U.S. 160 (2009) and concluded that given the holding and reasoning of

the United States Supreme Court in Ice, “the General Assembly is no longer

constrained by Foster’s holdings regarding the constitutionality of the

consecutive-sentencing provisions invalidated in Foster and may, if it chooses to

do so, respond with enactment of a statutory provision in light of Ice’s holding.”

Hodge at ¶ 6. The General Assembly recently addressed this precise issue and

superseded the Supreme Court of Ohio’s holding in Foster by enacting the recent

revisions to the felony sentencing statute in H.B. 86. Accordingly, Hites’ reliance

on Foster is obsolete and her arguments on this point have no merit. Hites’ third

assignment of error is overruled.

       {¶24} For all these reasons, the judgment is affirmed.

                                                                Judgment Affirmed

PRESTON and WILLAMOWSKI, J.J., concur.

/jlr

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