Court Opinion

ID: 4511484
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-02-28 17:04:06.911209+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:30:37.738751
License: Public Domain

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),                                     FILED
this Memorandum Decision shall not be
                                                                      Feb 28 2020, 10:26 am
regarded as precedent or cited before any
court except for the purpose of establishing                               CLERK
                                                                       Indiana Supreme Court
the defense of res judicata, collateral                                   Court of Appeals
                                                                            and Tax Court

estoppel, or the law of the case.

ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT                                   ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Jennifer L. Koethe                                       Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
Navarre, Florida                                         Attorney General of Indiana

                                                         Lauren A. Jacobsen
                                                         Deputy Attorney General
                                                         Indianapolis, Indiana

                                           IN THE
    COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

Franklin Powell,                                         February 28, 2020
Appellant-Defendant,                                     Court of Appeals Case No.
                                                         19A-CR-1913
        v.                                               Appeal from the LaPorte Circuit
                                                         Court
State of Indiana,                                        The Honorable Thomas Alevizos,
Appellee-Plaintiff                                       Judge
                                                         The Honorable Pamela S.
                                                         Munsey, Magistrate
                                                         Trial Court Cause No.
                                                         46C01-1808-F6-961

May, Judge.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1913 | February 28, 2020              Page 1 of 11
[1]   Franklin Powell appeals his two-year sentence for Level 6 felony theft with a

      prior conviction. 1 Powell raises two issues on appeal, which we restate as: (1)

      whether his sentence is inappropriate in light of the nature of his offense and his

      character; and (2) whether the trial court abused its discretion when the

      Magistrate failed to consider purported mitigating circumstances and the

      Judge’s prior statements. We affirm.

                                Facts and Procedural History
[2]   On August 27, 2018, a La Porte County (“LPC”) Sergeant received a phone

      call from a Valparaiso Police Department (“VPD”) Detective about an enclosed

      trailer that had been recovered after being reported stolen. The trailer was

      purchased from Powell on August 24, 2018. The purchaser was suspicious of

      the trailer, so he had a North Judson police officer—with whom he has a

      familial relationship —conduct a license plate check on the trailer, and the

      report indicted the VPD had received a report that the trailer had been stolen.

      With the VPD detective’s knowledge, the purchaser set up a meeting to

      purchase a second trailer from Powell, believing that trailer also to be stolen.

[3]   At the scene of the purchase, Powell was detained with a black spray painted,

      enclosed trailer attached to his pickup truck. The officers could not locate any

      VIN numbers on the trailer, but they located two holes where the VIN plate

      1
          Ind. Code § 35-43-4-2(a)(1)(C).

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1913 | February 28, 2020   Page 2 of 11
      was previously fastened. Since they could not identify the trailer as stolen

      without the VIN numbers, the officers decided to transport Powell to the LPC

      Sheriff’s office. A detective later made contact with the owner of the trailer

      who positively identified the trailer by telling the detective that “there was a

      black tool box fixed by 2X4s to the front interior of the trailer, along with a

      weight on the floor.” (App. Vol. II at 22.) Also, the detective conducted a

      criminal history search on Powell and found he was previously convicted for

      theft.

[4]   On August 28, 2018, a detective was monitoring inmate phone calls placed in

      the LPC Jail and heard Powell instructing his family to sell a lawnmower.

      Because Powell was a suspect in multiple thefts, the detective went to Powell’s

      family’s registered address to inspect the lawnmower. The detective found the

      lawnmower’s serial number, and contacted the store manager to find out who

      bought it. The detective obtained the purchaser’s contact information, and the

      purchaser informed him that the lawnmower had been inside the same trailer

      that he reported stolen to the VPD on August 24.

[5]   On August 28, 2018, the State charged Powell with Level 6 felony theft and

      Level 6 felony theft with a prior conviction. On September 7, 2018, a public

      defender accepted appointment and filed appearance. On September 11, 2018,

      the State filed a motion to amend information by adding Level 6 felony dealing

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1913 | February 28, 2020   Page 3 of 11
      in altered property 2 and Level 6 felony attempted dealing in altered property. 3

      The trial court granted the State’s motion to amend charges.

[6]   On November 7, 2018, the State offered Powell a plea agreement with the

      following terms:

                    a. Defendant agrees to enter a plea of guilty to [t]heft, Level 6
                       [f]elony.
                    b. The [d]efendant shall be sentenced to 2.5 years in the [LPC]
                       Jail.
                    c. Defendant may serve 1 year of his sentence in the [LPC]
                       Community Corrections Work Release Program, so long as
                       he is eligible and compliant.
                    d. Defendant may serve the remaining balance of his sentence
                       in the [LPC] Community Corrections GPS Program, so
                       long as he is eligible and compliant.
                    e. The [d]efendant’s sentence shall be consecutive to any
                       sentence imposed in 46C01-1507-F5-577.
                    f. The [d]efendant shall pay restitution in the amount of $500
                       to Ed Whitcomb Carpet & Tile as a condition of his
                       placement in Work Release.
                    g. The [d]efendant shall pay a $1.00 fine and [c]ourt costs of
                       $185.00.
                    h. The State shall dismiss the remaining charges in this Cause.

      (App. Vol. II. at 120-21.) The plea agreement called for Community

      Corrections consideration. On November 27, 2018, Community Corrections

      reported that there was no appropriate placement in Community Corrections

      2
          Ind. Code § 35-43-4-2.3(b).
      3
          Ind. Code § 35-41-5-1 (attempt); Ind. Code § 35-43-4-2.3 (dealing in altered property).

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1913 | February 28, 2020             Page 4 of 11
      for Powell. 4 On May 31, 2019, Powell pled guilty to Level 6 felony theft with a

      prior conviction and left sentencing up to the court. On June 12, 2019, the trial

      court sentenced Powell to two years in the Indiana Department of Correction,

      with sixty-five days of credit under Class I. On the same day, the State moved

      to dismiss the remaining charges, and the court granted the motion.

                                   Discussion and Decision
                                         Inappropriate Sentence
[7]   Powell asserts his sentence is inappropriate. Under Indiana Appellate Rule

      7(B), we may revise a sentence if, after due consideration of the trial court’s

      decision, we determine the sentence is inappropriate in light of the nature of the

      offense and the character of the offender. Adams v. State, 120 N.E.3d 1058,

      1064 (Ind. Ct. App. 2019). We consider aggravating, mitigating, and any other

      factors appearing in the record. Johnson v. State, 986 N.E.2d 852, 856 (Ind. Ct.

      App. 2013). Our goal is to decide whether the appellant’s sentence is

      inappropriate, not whether some other sentence would be more appropriate.

      Conley v. State, 972 N.E.2d 864, 876 (Ind. 2012), reh’g denied. Powell bears the

      burden of demonstrating his sentence is inappropriate. See Childress v. State, 848

      4
       In the transcript, Counsel for Powell stated the court rejected the plea agreement offer. (Tr. Vol. II at 6.)
      However, the appendix reveals that Powell was ineligible for Community Corrections placement because he
      had two probation revocations and owed $100 in fees. (App. Vol. II at 134.)

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1913 | February 28, 2020                 Page 5 of 11
       N.E.2d 1073, 1080 (Ind. 2006) (“defendant must persuade the appellate court

       that his or her sentence has met this inappropriateness standard of review”).

[8]    When considering the nature of the offense, we start by looking at the advisory

       sentence to determine the appropriateness of a sentence. Anglemyer v. State, 868

       N.E.2d 482, 494 (Ind. 2007), clarified on reh’g 875 N.E.2d 218 (Ind. 2007). The

       sentencing range for a Level 6 felony is “a fixed term of between six (6) months

       and two and one half (2 ½) years” with a one-year advisory sentence. Ind.

       Code § 35-50-2-7(b). Powell was sentenced to two years, which he contends is

       inappropriate because his “offense was related to [his] substance abuse issues.”

       (Appellant’s Br. at 12.)

[9]    Powell stole two box trailers valued over $1000 each and a lawnmower valued

       overt $5800, and he had a prior conviction for Level 6 felony theft. (App. Vol.

       II at 90, 132.) Though Powell admits he has a substance abuse problem, Powell

       does not explain the alleged relationship between his offense and his substance

       abuse issues. As such, he has failed to explain why his sentence is

       inappropriate for his crime. See Reis v. State, 88 N.E.3d 1099, 1105-06 (Ind. Ct.

       App. 2017) (defendant failed to advance an argument regarding why his

       sentence is inappropriate in consideration of his alcohol problem).

[10]   When considering the character of the offender, one relevant fact is the

       defendant’s criminal history. Johnson, 986 N.E.2d at 857. The significance of

       criminal history varies based on the gravity, nature, and number of prior

       offenses in relation to the current offense. Id. Powell’s criminal history consists

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1913 | February 28, 2020   Page 6 of 11
       of: (1) juvenile adjudications such as criminal mischief; false informing; leaving

       home without permission of parent, guardian, or custodian; habitual

       disobedience of parent, guardian or custodian; failure to return to lawful

       detention; burglary; truancy; theft; and auto theft; (2) misdemeanors such as

       conversion; false informing; and theft; and (3) felonies such as burglary;

       receiving stolen property; theft—aiding, inducing, or causing an offense; and

       larceny.

[11]   Powell contends that this offense was related to his substance abuse issue, that

       he has taken responsibility for his actions, that he has shown remorse, and that

       he wants to address his substance abuse issues. However, Powell has an

       extensive criminal history that includes similar crimes. Furthermore, he has a

       history of unsatisfactorily releases from probation. Given Powell’s criminal

       history and probation revocation history, we cannot say that the sentence is

       inappropriate for his character. See Rasnick v. State, 2 N.E.3d 17, 29 (Ind. Ct.

       App. 2013) (defendant’s sentence not inappropriate when the facts in the case

       and defendant’s criminal history “strongly support the trial court’s sentencing

       judgment”), trans. denied.

                                          Abuse of Discretion
[12]   Powell also claims the trial court abused its sentencing discretion by

       disregarding: (1) his plea of guilty, (2) his remorse, (3) his need for drug

       treatment, and (4) the Judge’s statements prior to his plea entry. Sentencing

       decisions ‘“rest within the sound discretion of the trial court and are reviewed

       on appeal only for an abuse of discretion.”’ McElfresh v. State, 51 N.E.3d 103,
       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1913 | February 28, 2020   Page 7 of 11
       107 (Ind. 2016) (quoting Anglemyer v. State, 868 N.E.2d 482, 490 (Ind. 2007),

       clarified on reh’g 875 N.E.2d 218 (Ind. 2007)). An abuse of discretion occurs if

       the trial court’s decision is “clearly against the logic and effect of the facts and

       circumstances before the court, or the reasonable, probable, and actual

       deductions to be drawn therefrom.” Lewis v. State, 31 N.E.3d 539, 541-42 (Ind.

       Ct. App. 2015).

[13]   A trial court may abuse its sentencing discretion by finding reasons not

       supported by the record. Anglemyer, 868 N.E.2d at 490. We review “the court’s

       finding of aggravators and mitigators to justify a sentence, but we cannot review

       the relative weight assigned to those factors.” Baumholser v. State, 62 N.E.3d

       411, 416-17 (Ind. Ct. App. 2016) (citing Anglemyer, 868 N.E.2d at 490-91), trans.

       denied. When reviewing the aggravating and mitigating circumstances in the

       sentencing order, we will remand only if “the record does not support the

       reasons, or the sentencing statement omits reasons that are clearly supported by

       the record, and advanced for consideration, or the reasons given are improper

       as a matter of law.” Id. The court “is neither obligated to accept the

       defendant’s arguments as to what constitutes a mitigating factor nor required to

       give the same weight to a proposed mitigating factor as does the defendant.”

       Hunter v. State, 72 N.E.3d 928, 935 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017). On appeal, the

       defendant must “establish that the mitigating evidence is both significant and

       clearly supported by the record.” Id.

[14]   Powell argues the trial should have considered his guilty plea as a mitigating

       factor. “While the trial court must assess the potential mitigating weight of a

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1913 | February 28, 2020   Page 8 of 11
       guilty plea, the significance of a guilty plea varies from case to case.” Jackson v.

       State, 973 N.E.2d 1123, 1131 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012), trans. denied. Here, Powell

       relies on Sipple v. State, which states that “a guilty plea should be accorded

       significant mitigating weight” when: (1) it “‘saves the State the time and

       expense inherent in a lengthy trial;’” (2) it “‘extends a benefit to the State and

       the victim’s family by avoiding a full-blown trial;’” and (3) the defendant

       demonstrates “‘acceptance of responsibility of a crime.’” 788 N.E.2d 473, 483

       (Ind. Ct. App. 2003) (quoting Trueblood v. State, 715 N.E.2d 1242, 1257 (Ind.

       1999), rev’d on other grounds 301 F.3d 784 (7th Cir. 2002)). Powell’s guilty plea

       satisfies the elements in Sipple; it saved the State time and expense, and it

       extended a benefit to the State and victims as well as demonstrated Powell’s

       acceptance of responsibility for his crime. See Felder v. State, 870 N.E.2d 554,

       558 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001) (“a guilty plea demonstrates acceptance of a

       responsibility for a crime and must be considered a mitigating factor”) (citing

       Sheckel v. State, 655 N.E.2d 506, 511 (Ind. 1995)). However, Powell’s plea is

       not entitled to much weight because he received a substantial benefit in return

       for his plea.

[15]   The State charged Powell with Level 6 felony theft with a prior conviction,

       Level 6 felony attempted dealing in altered property, Level 6 felony dealing in

       altered property, and Level 6 felony theft. Powell pled guilty to only the Level

       6 felony theft with a prior conviction, and the State dismissed the remaining

       charges. We agree with the State that Powell “received a substantial benefit in

       exchange for his plea.” (State’s Br. at 12.) The trial court did not abuse its

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1913 | February 28, 2020   Page 9 of 11
       discretion when it did not consider Powell’s guilty plea as a significant

       mitigating factor. See Wells v. State, 836 N.E.2d 479, 594 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005)

       (“a guilty plea does not rise to the level of significant mitigation where the

       defendant has received a substantial benefit from the plea or where the evidence

       against him is such that the decision to plead guilty is merely a pragmatic one”),

       trans. denied.

[16]   Powell also contends the trial court erroneously failed to see his remorse and

       drug treatment as significant mitigating factors. When asked why he wanted to

       plead guilty, Powell stated that he wanted “to get the time done,” that it was

       “the right thing to do,” and that he wanted to stay clean since it was his first

       time being clean. (Tr. Vol. II at 5, 9.) Powell contends those three reasons

       should be given weight as mitigating factors. We disagree that Powell’s guilty

       plea and statements constitute remorse, and the record does not show anything

       contrary to the trial court’s omission of remorse as a mitigating factor. The trial

       court did not abuse its discretion when it did not find Powell’s remorse as a

       mitigating factor. See Stout v. State, 834 N.E.2d 707, 711 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005)

       (“without evidence of some impermissible consideration by the trial court, a

       reviewing court will accept its determination as to remorse”), trans. denied.

[17]   In the same manner, the trial court has discretion for the weight it gives

       Powell’s need for drug treatment as a mitigating factor. Here, the Magistrate

       did not see Powell’s need for drug treatment and the prior judge’s statements—

       that the trial court would probably give him a year-and a half with the

       probability of serving that time on work release and would put him into a drug

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1913 | February 28, 2020   Page 10 of 11
       treatment program (Tr. Vol. II at 10)—as mitigating factors. Just because

       Powell believes those two reasons should mitigate his sentence does not mean

       that the court should agree with that belief. See Hunter v. State, 72 N.E.3d 928,

       935 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017) (“the court is neither obligated to accept the

       defendant’s arguments as to what constitutes a mitigating factor nor required to

       give the same weight to a proposed mitigating factor as does the defendant”),

       trans. denied. The court did not abuse its discretion when it did not find any of

       Powell’s proffered sentencing mitigators.

                                               Conclusion
[18]   Powell failed to demonstrate that his sentence was inappropriate in light of the

       nature of his offense and his character. Additionally, the trial court was not

       obliged to accept Powell’s proffered mitigators and did not abuse its discretion

       when it sentenced Powell to two years. Accordingly, we affirm.

[19]   Affirmed.

       Crone, J., and Pyle, J., concur.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1913 | February 28, 2020   Page 11 of 11