Court Opinion

ID: 9882674
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-10-05 22:18:21.6108+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:00:43.293041
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Doran, 2023-Ohio-3590.]

             IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                             SEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                COLUMBIANA COUNTY

                                            STATE OF OHIO,

                                            Plaintiff-Appellee,

                                                    v.

                                       WILLIAM D. DORAN,

                                       Defendant-Appellant.

                        OPINION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY
                                            Case No. 22 CO 0046

                                  Criminal Appeal from the
                      Court of Common Pleas of Columbiana County, Ohio
                                  Case No. 2021 CR 00551

                                           BEFORE:
                   Cheryl L. Waite, Carol Ann Robb, Mark A. Hanni, Judges.

                                               JUDGMENT:
                                                 Affirmed.

Atty. Vito J. Abruzzino, Columbiana County Prosecutor and Atty. Tammie Riley Jones,
Assistant Prosecutor, Columbiana County Prosecutor's Office, 135 South Market Street,
Lisbon, Ohio 44432, for Plaintiff-Appellee

Atty. James E. Lanzo, 4126 Youngstown-Poland Road, Youngstown, Ohio 44514, for
Defendant-Appellant

                                     Dated: September 28, 2023
                                                                                        –2–

WAITE, J.

       {¶1}   Appellant William D. Doran appeals an October 7, 2022 Columbiana County

Court of Common Pleas sentencing entry. Appellant contests only his sentence, arguing

the trial court abused its discretion. For the reasons that follow, Appellant’s argument is

without merit and the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

                                Factual and Procedural History

       {¶2}   Due to a plea agreement, there are few facts in the record. However, the

record does reveal that Appellant responded to an advertisement on a website seeking

sexual activity involving, he believed, a fifteen-year-old girl. Appellant inquired about the

cost and was told the “girl” charged $150 for “full services.” He responded that he was

interested, and was told to arrive at a specific address on a specific date with the money,

a bag of Doritos, and a Pepsi. Appellant “asked the girl if she was legit, as he didn’t want

to end up on ‘to catch a predator.’ ” (PSI). Appellant arrived at the assignation to find

that he had actually been communicating with a police officer. At the time, he had $150,

a bag of Doritos, and a Pepsi on his person.

       {¶3}   On December 15, 2021, Appellant was indicted on one count of

importuning, a felony of the fifth degree in violation of R.C. 2907.07(D)(2); one count of

compelling prostitution, a felony of the third degree in violation of R.C. 2907.21(A)(2),(B);

one count of possessing criminal tools, a felony of the fifth degree in violation of R.C.

2923.23; and one count of attempting illegal assembly, a felony of the fourth degree in

violation of R.C. 2923.02(A).

       {¶4}   On June 24, 2022, the parties entered into a plea agreement. Appellant

agreed to plead guilty to importuning (as charged), attempted compelling of prostitution

Case No. 22 CO 0046
                                                                                      –3–

(amended to a lesser charge), and attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor

(amended charge). The remaining charges were dismissed.

       {¶5}   On October 7, 2022, the trial court sentenced Appellant to nine months of

incarceration for importuning, nine months for attempted compelling of prostitution, and

nine months for attempted unlawful contact with a minor.         The court ordered the

sentences to run concurrently and credited Appellant for three days of time served. It is

from this entry that Appellant timely appeals.

                               ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR

       The sentencing Court abused its discretion by failing to be guided by the

       overriding purposes of felony sentencing and by failing to properly consider

       the factors listed in 2929.12 and by imposing upon the within defendant to

       a prison sentence.

       {¶6}   Appellant bases his arguments on a case abrogated by the Ohio Supreme

Court several years ago, State v. Kalish, 120 Ohio St.3d 23, 2008-Ohio-4912, 896 N.E.2d

124. Because Appellant relies on invalid caselaw, his arguments entirely revolve around

law that no longer applies. In addition, Appellant contests the manner in which the court

weighed the R.C. 2929.12 factors, but does not mention relevant law. State v. Jones,

163 Ohio St.3d 242, 2020-Ohio-6729, 169 N.E.3d 649.

       {¶7}   The state notes Appellant’s reliance on no longer good law and argues that,

using the correct standard, the court made the appropriate findings, which are supported

by the record.

Case No. 22 CO 0046
                                                                                          –4–

       {¶8}   “[A]n appellate court may vacate or modify a felony sentence on appeal only

if it determines by clear and convincing evidence that the record does not support the trial

court's findings under relevant statutes or that the sentence is otherwise contrary to law.”

State v. Marcum, 146 Ohio St.3d 516, 2016-Ohio-1002, 59 N.E.3d 1231, ¶ 1.

       {¶9}   “A sentence is considered to be clearly and convincingly contrary to law if it

falls outside of the statutory range for the particular degree of offense; if the trial court

failed to properly consider the purposes and principles of felony sentencing as

enumerated in R.C. 2929.11 and the seriousness and recidivism factors set forth in R.C.

2929.12; or if the trial court orders consecutive sentences and does not make the

necessary consecutive sentence findings.” State v. Pendland, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 19

MA 0088, 2021-Ohio-1313, ¶ 41; citing State v. Collins, 7th Dist. Noble No. 15 NO 0429,

2017-Ohio-1264, ¶ 9; State v. Bonnell, 140 Ohio St.3d 209, 2014-Ohio-3177, 16 N.E.3d

659, ¶ 30.

       {¶10} Further, as noted by the state, a court of appeals is limited in its review of a

felony sentence. The Ohio Supreme Court has clarified an appellate court’s review of

felony sentences in Jones, supra. The Jones Court modified the standard of review for

felony sentences that was previously announced in Marcum. The Marcum Court held

“that R.C. 2953.08(G)(2)(a) compels appellate courts to modify or vacate sentences if

they find by clear and convincing evidence that the record does not support any relevant

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.’ ” Marcum, supra, at

¶ 22. Jones did not directly overrule Marcum, but clarified certain dicta to reflect that

“[n]othing in R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) permits an appellate court to independently weigh the

Case No. 22 CO 0046
                                                                                           –5–

evidence in the record and substitute its judgment for that of the trial court concerning the

sentence that best reflects compliance with R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12.” Jones, supra, at

¶ 42.

        {¶11} The sentences imposed by the court, here, falls within the statutory range.

        {¶12} Pursuant to Jones, we may not independently weigh the R.C. 2929.12

factors.   However, it is apparent from the court’s statements that it did make the

appropriate findings, which are supported by the record.

        {¶13} While Appellant claims he expressed genuine remorse, it was apparent the

court did not believe he was genuine. He stated: “I would just like to apologize to the

Court. I feel horrible. It’s the worst mistake I have ever made in my life. And it’s not a

victimless crime. I just hope it doesn’t ruin my life.” (Sentencing Hrg. Tr., p. 7.)

        {¶14} The court responded by noting that Appellant’s two daughters are older than

the girl he thought he engaged for sexual favors, here. The court discredited Appellant’s

downplaying of his criminal record by reminding him that he admitted he smoked

marijuana every day. In addition, the record reveals that Appellant has used cocaine,

LSD, Percocet, and Vicodin in the past. He also faced three drug related charges in

Michigan in 2019, and two drug related charges in Pennsylvania in 2018 and 2019.

        {¶15} The court specifically addressed Appellant’s claim that he did not intend to

follow through with his plan by first pointing out that he arrived as scheduled with the

correct money, Doritos, and a Pepsi. The court stated:

        And it’s also troubling when I read the report that part of your interaction is,

        I hope this isn’t To Catch a Predator type thing. So you are very aware of

        what is going on.     You are very aware of the risk you are taking in

Case No. 22 CO 0046
                                                                                        –6–

       participating in that conduct, so much so that you literally indicate that you

       hope it’s not that type of situation; okay? So you are very aware. You know

       what the consequences are and yet you do it anyway.

(Sentencing Hrg. Tr., p. 8.)

       {¶16} The record shows the trial court conducted the appropriate analysis, the

sentence is within the statutory range, and there is no evidence that the sentence is

contrary to law. As such, Appellant’s sole assignment of error is without merit and is

overruled.

                                           Conclusion

       {¶17} Appellant contests only his sentence, arguing that it amounts to an abuse

of discretion. For the reasons provided, Appellant’s argument is without merit and the

judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Robb, J. concurs.

Hanni, J., concurs.

Case No. 22 CO 0046
[Cite as State v. Doran, 2023-Ohio-3590.]

        For the reasons stated in the Opinion rendered herein, the assignment of error is

overruled and it is the final judgment and order of this Court that the judgment of the Court

of Common Pleas of Columbiana County, Ohio, is affirmed. Costs waived.

        A certified copy of this opinion and judgment entry shall constitute the mandate in

this case pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure. It is ordered that a

certified copy be sent by the clerk to the trial court to carry this judgment into execution.

                                        NOTICE TO COUNSEL

        This document constitutes a final judgment entry.