Court Opinion

ID: 2721749
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-28 17:04:49.402634+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:39:51.842954
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Hart, 2014-Ohio-3733.]

                               IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                                  FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                       ATHENS COUNTY

STATE OF OHIO,                                         :
                                                       :
        Plaintiff-Appellee,                            :
                                                       :               Case No. 13CA8
        v.                                             :
                                                       :               DECISION AND
FLOYD HART,                                            :               JUDGMENT ENTRY
                                                       :
        Defendant-Appellant.                           :               Released: 08/21/2014

                                           APPEARANCES:
Timothy Young, Ohio Public Defender, and Stephen P. Hardwick, Ohio Assistant Public
Defender, Columbus, Ohio for Appellant.

Keller J. Blackburn, Athens County Prosecutor, and Matthew W. Ward, Athens County Assistant
Prosecutor, Athens, Ohio for Appellee.

Hoover, J.:

        {¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Floyd Hart, appeals his sentence from the Athens County

Court of Common Pleas. Hart was sentenced to a total of 5 years and 6 months after violating his

community control sanctions in two separate cases. The trial court ordered the sentences in each

case to be served consecutively. On appeal Hart presents three assignments of error. First, Hart

argues that the trial court abused its discretion when it arbitrarily found the seriousness of his

original offense to be more serious in 2013 than when it occurred in 2007. Second, Hart contends

the trial court incorrectly determined that it was bound to impose consecutive prison terms.

Lastly, Hart argues that the prison term for the violation of community control sanctions cannot

run consecutively to any other sentence.

        {¶ 2} In January 2007 in case number 06CR0284, Hart pleaded guilty to Failure to

Comply, in violation of R.C. 2921.331(B), a felony of the third degree. Hart was sentenced to,
Athens App. No. 13CA8                                                                        2

among other things, 4 years of community control sanctions; and he was ordered to successfully

complete the SEPTA Correctional Facility Program. The trial court stated: “Violation of any of

this sentence shall lead to a longer term under the same sanction, a more restrictive sanction, or a

prison commitment of four (4) years.”

       {¶ 3} In July 2008, the trial court found probable cause that Hart violated the terms of his

community control. At the dispositional hearing in September 2008, the court sentenced Hart to

complete the remainder of the 4 years of community control sanctions and to enter the MonDay

Program. The trial court found that “the factors against recidivism outweigh the factors for

recidivism and that the less serious factors outweigh the more serious factors.” The trial court

notified Hart that if he violated any of the terms of the community control sanctions, a longer

term of community control under the same sanction, a more restrictive sanction, or a prison

commitment of 4 years shall result.

       {¶ 4} Approximately one year later in June 2009, Hart again violated the terms of his

community control sanctions. As a result of this violation, the trial court found: “***the factors

for recidivism outweigh the factors against recidivism. Also, the more serious factors outweigh

the less serious factors.” The trial court sentenced Hart to 4 years in the State Penal System. The

trial court then recited the required notifications if Hart violates any conditions of post-release

control.

       {¶ 5} In January 2010, after Hart filed a Motion for Judicial Release, the trial court

granted the motion. The trial court suspended the balance of Hart's original sentence of 4 years

and placed Hart on judicial release subject to community control conditions. The trial court

informed Hart that the suspended portion of the prison term could be reimposed.
Athens App. No. 13CA8                                                                        3

       {¶ 6} In May 2012, the State filed a Notice of Violation of Community Control alleging

six violations. Violation 3 referred to an assault on Jessica Segar. Hart stipulated to violations 3

through 6 and the trial court found probable cause upon each violation. As a result of the

violation of community control sanctions, the trial court sentenced Hart in case number

06CR0284 to continue the previously ordered community control/judicial release.

       {¶ 7} Consequently, the State charged Hart with Domestic Violence, in violation of R.C.

2919.25(A), in case number 12CR0168. Hart pleaded guilty to one count Domestic Violence in

exchange for a recommended sentence of 5 years of community control and continued

community control in case number 06CR0284. The trial court sentenced Hart to 5 years of

community control sanctions1. Hart was also ordered, among other things, to successfully

complete the SEPTA Correctional Facility Program. Hart was again notified of the possible

punishments if he would violate any of the 5 years of community control sanctions.

       {¶ 8} At the July 19, 2012 sentencing hearing, in case number 12CR0168, the trial court

instructed Hart:

       BY THE JUDGE: Okay. Alrighty. Then I need to advise you, Mr. Hart, that if

       you violate any terms and conditions of your community control the Court could

       increase the time period you’re on community control. The Court can impose

       additional terms and conditions for you to follow on community control. And the

       Court can sentence you a specific prison term of eighteen months to be served

       consecutively to any prison sentence imposed upon you in 06CR0284.

1
 In the trial court's judgment entry dated May 18, 2012, the trial court also mentioned that Hart
was sentenced to five (5) years of community control for Case 12CR0168.
Athens App. No. 13CA8                                                                      4

The corresponding judgment entry failed to include language regarding serving the sentence of

18 months consecutively to a sentence imposed in 06CR0284. The trial court filed a nunc pro

tunc` judgment entry on February 6, 2013 which added the following language in italics:

       Violation of any of this sentence shall lead to a longer term under the same

       sanction, a more restrictive sanction, or a prison commitment of eighteen (18)

       months to be served consecutively to any prison sentence imposed upon him in

       06CR0284.

       {¶ 9} On January 14, 2013, the State filed another Notice of Violation of Judicial

Release/Community Control alleging two violations: 1) Hart was booked into the Southeastern

Ohio Regional Jail on charges of Domestic Violence and Aggravated Burglary and 2)

nonpayment of court costs. The trial court found probable cause for both violations. In its

February 21, 2013 judgment entry, the trial court terminated Hart’s judicial release and

community control in case number 06CR0284 and sentenced him to the previously suspended 4-

year prison sentence. The court also sentenced Hart to a prison term of 18 months in case number

12CR0168. The court ordered Hart to serve the terms consecutively because:

       ***consecutive sentences are mandatory in this case pursuant to Ohio Revised

       Code Section 2929.14(C)(3). Further, even if consecutive sentences were not

       mandatory the Court would so order them, pursuant to R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), as

       consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public from future crime and to

       punish the offender; Consecutive sentences are not disproportionate to the

       seriousness of the Defendant’s conduct and the danger the offender poses to the

       public and, further, Defendant committed a new offense while under a community

       control sanction.
Athens App. No. 13CA8                                                                       5

       {¶ 10} Appellant Hart timely filed this appeal on February 25, 2013.

Appellant’s First Assignment of Error:

       A TRIAL COURT ABUSES ITS DISCRETION WHEN IT IMPOSES A

       PRISON TERM, IN PART, BECAUSE THE SERIOUSNESS FACTORS ON

       2929.12 INDICATED THAT THE OFFENSE IS MORE SERIOUS WHEN

       THAT COURT HAD PREVIOUSLY HELD THAT THE FACTORS

       INDICATED THAT THE OFFENSE WAS LESS SERIOUS.

       {¶ 11} In his first assignment of error, appellant Hart argues that the trial court abused its

discretion when it held his original offense in case number 06CR0168, Failure to Comply, was

more serious in 2013 than it was in 2007. Hart contends that originally, when community control

sanctions were found to be appropriate, the less serious factors outweighed the more serious

factors, but in the February 21, 2013 judgment entry the trial court changed its position and

stated: “***the more serious factors outweigh the less serious factors.”

       {¶ 12} After Hart’s first violation of community control sanctions in 2008, the trial court

continued his then current sanctions, finding “***that the less serious factors outweigh the more

serious factors.” After Hart’s second community control violation, the trial court stated in its

June 19, 2008 Judgment Entry: “the Court finds the factors for recidivism outweigh the factors

against recidivism. Also, the more serious factors outweigh the less serious factors.” At the

February 5, 2013 sentencing hearing the trial court stated: “***that because of the numerous

violations in both of those cases as well as the pending charge*** that the seriousness factors

again are more likely than not, more serious than not, because of the domestic violence as well as

to Jessica Sager as the victim.” The corresponding judgment entry dated February 21, 2013
Athens App. No. 13CA8                                                                       6

reflects the same stating: “The Court finds the recidivism factors outweigh the non-recidivism

factors and the more serious factors outweigh the less serious factors.”

        {¶ 13} The trial court has significant discretion in sentencing a defendant for a

community control violation, so long as it is consistent with the purposes and principles of

sentencing and with notification provided by the trial court when imposing the community

control sanctions. See R.C. 2929.15(B)(2); State v. Brooks, 103 Ohio St. 3d 134, 2004-Ohio-4746,

814 N.E.2d 837, ¶ 20 (stating that a trial court has “a great deal of latitude in sentencing” an

offender for a community control violation). When sentencing an offender for a community

control violation, the trial court must “consider both the seriousness of the original offense

leading to the imposition of community control and the gravity of the community control

violation.” Id. at ¶ 20.

        {¶ 14} When reviewing the transcript of the February 5, 2013 hearing, it demonstrates

that the trial court was referring to the seriousness of the violation of the community control

sanctions, not the underlying failure to comply conviction.

        TRIAL COURT: * * * The Court in 06CR0284, that's a judicial release situation

        at this time, and the Court in both cases considered the recidivism factors and

        finds that because of the numerous violations in both of those cases as well as the

        pending charge that the recidivism likely outweighs that of less likely and that the

        seriousness factors again are more likely than not, more serious than not, because

        of the domestic violence as well as the pending domestic violence charge against

        Jessica, or as to Jessica Sager as the victim. * * *

It is clear from the record that prior to sentencing Hart for his latest violations of community

control sanctions, the trial court considered the gravity of the community control violations.
Athens App. No. 13CA8                                                                        7

       {¶ 15} It is also clear that the trial court considered the seriousness of the original offense.

The judgment entry of February 21, 2013 states the following:

        Defendant was previously convicted of Failure to Comply with the Signal or

        Order of a Police Officer, in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section 2921.331(B),

        a felony of the third degree in Athens County Common Pleas case number

        06DR0284 and in case number 12CR0168 of Domestic Violence, in violation of

        Ohio Revised Code Section 2919.25(A), a felony of the fourth degree.

The prosecutor addressed the trial court prior to the sentencing on the community control

violation and stated that Hart was originally convicted in 06CR0284 of a third degree

felony failure to comply with signal or order of a police officer. The trial court also

addressed the underlying offense of the failure to comply during the sentencing noting

that it was a judicial release situation.

        {¶ 16} Therefore, Hart's argument that the trial court abused its discretion when it held

that the failing to comply was more serious in 2013 than it was in 2007, has no merit. Hart's

argument is misplaced in that the trial court was referring to the seriousness factors of the

community control violation not the underlying offense. The trial court did not abuse its

discretion by finding the more serious factors outweighed the less serious factors.

Appellant’s Second Assignment of Error:

        A PRISON TERM FOR VIOLATING COMMUNITY CONTROL MAY BE

        SERVED CONCURRENTLY WITH A PRISON TERM FOR ANOTHER

        OFFENSE

        {¶ 17} In his second assignment of error, Hart argues that the trial court incorrectly ruled

that pursuant to R.C. 2929.14(C)(3), it was bound to impose consecutive sentences for his 2013
Athens App. No. 13CA8                                                                          8

violations of community control. Hart contends that his sentence was imposed for a violation of

community control sanctions, and not for the underlying offense of Failure to Comply. Therefore,

Hart argues, R.C. 2929.14(C)(3) does not apply. Hart asks this Court to remand the case in order

for the trial court to exercise its judgment to determine whether to run the terms consecutively.

       {¶ 18} In sentencing Hart for the violation of community control sanctions, the trial court

stated in its February 21, 2013 Judgment Entry:

       The Court also notes that consecutive sentences are mandatory in this case

       pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 2929.14(C)(3). Further, even if

       consecutive sentences were not mandatory the Court would order them, pursuant

       to R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), as consecutive sentences are necessary to protect from

       future crime and to punish the offender; Consecutive sentences are not

       disproportionate to the seriousness of the Defendant’s conduct and the danger the

       offender poses to the public and, further, Defendant committed a new offense

       while under a community control sentence.

       (Emphasis Added).

Hart argues that R.C. 2929.14(C)(3) does not apply in this case because his sentence was

for a violation of community control and not for the original offense of Failure to Comply.

       {¶ 19} The issue before us then is whether R.C. 2929.14(C)(3) applies when an

offender who is found guilty of a violation of division B of 2921.331 is initially

sentenced to community control sanctions but later is sentenced to a prison term for a

violation of those community control sanctions. “A court interpreting a statute must look

to the language of the statute to determine legislative intent.” State v. Clemons, 4th Dist.

Highland No. 12CA9, 2013-Ohio-3415, ¶ 7. Courts should give effect to the words of the
Athens App. No. 13CA8                                                                        9

statute and should not modify an unambiguous statute by deleting or inserting words; that

is, we have no authority to ignore the plain and unambiguous language of a statute under

the guise of statutory interpretation. Id. In interpreting a criminal statute, courts must

construe the statute strictly against the state and liberally in favor of the accused. Id.

citing R.C. 2901.04(A); State v. Gray, 62 Ohio St. 3d 514, 515, 584 N.E.2d 710 (1992).

“The interpretation of a statute or ordinance is a question of law, which we review de

novo.” State v. Frey, 166 Ohio App. 3d 819, 2006-Ohio-2452, 853 N.E.2d 684, ¶ 9.

        {¶ 20} R.C. 2929.14(C)(3) states: “If a prison term is imposed for *** a felony

violation of division (B) of section 2921.331 of the Revised Code, the offender shall

serve that prison term consecutively to any other prison term or mandatory prison term

previously or subsequently imposed upon the offender.” (Emphasis Added).

        {¶ 21} Here, the trial court did not impose a prison term when Hart pleaded guilty

to Failure to Comply, in violation of R.C. 2921.331(B). Instead, the trial court sentenced

Hart to 4 years of community control sanctions. A prison sentence in case no. 06CR0284

was only imposed after a second violation of the originally ordered community control

sanctions, on June 19, 2009. As detailed previously in the statement of facts, Hart was

later granted judicial release. A prison sentence was again imposed after Hart violated the

judicial release community control sanctions on February 21, 2013. This prison sentence

is the sentence at issue in this appeal. Therefore a prison sentence was never imposed for

Hart’s original offense of Failure to Comply. The prison sentences in 06CR0284 were

only ordered after violations for community control sanctions.

        {¶ 22} R.C. 2929.15(B) controls the possible punishments for an offender that

violates his community control. Brooks, 103 Ohio St. 3d 134, 2004-Ohio-4746, 814
Athens App. No. 13CA8                                                                     10
N.E.2d 837, ¶ 7. The statute reads: “If the conditions of a community control sanction are

violated *** the sentencing court may impose upon the violator one or more of the

following penalties:***” R.C. 2929.15(B)(1). Interpreting this statute, any penalty,

imposed for a community control violation is a punishment for that violation and not the

original offense.

       {¶ 23} This Court has previously held that “***when the defendant violates

community control, the court imposes an appropriate sanction for that misconduct, but

not for the original or underlying crime.” State v. Beverly, 4th Dist. Ross No. 01CA2603,

2002-Ohio-118, *3. Therefore, R.C. 2929.14(C)(3) would not apply here, since Hart was

not given a prison sentence initially and his sentence here on appeal was a result of a

community control violation, not the original offense of Failure to Comply. Accordingly,

Hart’s sentences for community control violations in cases 06CR0284 and 12CR0168

were not mandated by R.C. 2929.14(C)(3) to run consecutively.

       {¶ 24} Although the trial court was incorrect with regards to the mandatory

imposition of sentences, the above quoted February 21, 2013 Judgment Entry shows it

also held that consecutive sentence were appropriate under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4). We will

address this issue in our analysis of Hart’s third assignment of error.

Appellant’s Third Assignment of Error:

       A TRIAL COURT MAY NOT RUN A PRISON TERM FOR A FELONY

       CONSECUTIVELY TO A PRISON TERM FOR A VIOLATION OF

       COMMUNITY CONTROL

       {¶ 25} Appellant Hart in his third assignment of error, argues that the trial court cannot

order a prison sentence for a violation of community control to run consecutively to any other
Athens App. No. 13CA8                                                                         11

sentence. Hart does not cite to any case law for the assertion but states that, pursuant to R.C.

2929.14(C)(4), consecutive sentences may only be imposed for “***convictions of multiple

offenses.” Hart also cites R.C. 2929.41(A): “Except as provided in [R.C. 2929.41(B), 2929.14(C),

or R.C. 2971.03], a prison term, jail term, or sentence of imprisonment shall be served

concurrently with any other prison term, jail term or sentence of imprisonment.”

        {¶ 26} Following his original sentence, in case number 06CR0284, of 4 years

community control sanctions, Hart violated the sanctions twice. The first time, the trial

court continued his current sanctions; the next violation, the trial court sentenced him to 4

years in prison. Hart was then granted judicial release. Upon being granted judicial

release, the trial court instructed Hart: “I do need to tell him that this does represent a

suspension of the sentence, which means that if you do not satisfy all of the terms and the

conditions of the community control sentence you could be sent back to serve the balance

of the sentence.”

        {¶ 27} For the sentence pertaining to case number 06CR0284, R.C. 2929.20

controls. As this court has previously explained in State v. Perry, 4th Dist. Athens No.

13CA12, 2013-Ohio-4066, at ¶ 14:

        R.C. 2929 .20(K) governs the revocation of judicial release when an eligible

        offender violates a condition of judicial release, providing in pertinent part:

        If the court grants a motion for judicial release under this section, the court shall

        order the release of the eligible offender, shall place the eligible offender under an

        appropriate community control sanction, under appropriate conditions, and under

        the supervision of the department of probation serving the court and shall reserve

        the right to reimpose the sentence that it reduced if the offender violates the
Athens App. No. 13CA8                                                                        12

       sanction. If the court reimposes the reduced sentence, it may do so either

       concurrently with, or consecutive to, any new sentence imposed upon the eligible

       offender as a result of the violation that is a new offense. The period of

       community control shall be no longer than five years.

       {¶ 28} “***[A] review of R.C. 2929.20(K) makes clear that ‘there is no requirement

under the judicial release statute that the trial court notify a defendant of the specific prison term

that may be imposed as a result of a violation of community control following early judicial

release. R.C. 2929.20[ (K) ] merely reserves the right of the trial court to reimpose the sentence

that is reduced pursuant to the judicial release if defendant violates the sanction.’ ” Id. at ¶ 15

quoting State v. Durant, 5th Dist. Stark No.2005 CA 00314, 2006-Ohio-4067, ¶ 16. “In order to

reserve the right to reimpose the original sentence under R.C. 2929.20, we have previously held

that a trial court must expressly reserve, on the record, the right to reimpose the original sentence

when it grants judicial release.” Perry at ¶ 16 citing State v. Evans, 4th Dist. Meigs No.

00CA003, 2000 WL 33538779, *3 (Dec. 13, 2000).

       {¶ 29} Here the trial court notified Hart that if he failed to comply with conditions of his

judicial release, he could be resentenced to the suspended sentence of 4 years in prison. The

notification was given at the hearing of Hart’s Motion for Judicial Release and the suspended

sentence was recorded in the trial court’s January 26, 2010 decision on the motion. Therefore,

the trial court did not err in sentencing Hart to four years in prison for his community control

violations in case number 06CR284.

       {¶ 30} On May 18, 2012, in case number 12CR0168, Hart pleaded guilty to Domestic

Violence. This offense also led to a violation of Hart’s judicial release/community control in case

number 06CR284. As a result, the trial court entered a sentence continuing Hart’s judicial release
Athens App. No. 13CA8                                                                     13

and sentencing Hart to 5 years of community control for the offense of Domestic Violence.

During the sentencing hearing in case number 12CR0168, the trial court stated: “Then I need to

advise you, Mr. Hart, that if you violate any terms and conditions of your community control the

Court could ***sentence you to a specific prison term of eighteen months to be served

consecutively to any prison sentence imposed upon you in 06CR284.”

       {¶ 31} Under Ohio law, the trial court has three options for punishing offenders who

violate community control sanctions. The court may (1) lengthen the term of the community

control sanction, (2) impose a more restrictive community control sanction, or (3) impose a

prison term on the offender. State v. McClintock, 4th Dist. Meigs No. 13CA4, 2013-Ohio-5598, ¶

5. “If the court elects to impose a prison sentence upon a violator of community control sanctions,

it ‘shall be within the range of prison terms available for the offense for which the sanction that

was violated was imposed and shall not exceed the prison term specified in the notice provided

to the offender at the sentencing hearing pursuant to division (B)(2) of section 2929.19 of the

Revised Code.’ ” Id. quoting R.C. 2929.15(B)(2).

       {¶ 32} In addition to the 4-year sentence received in case number 06CR284, the trial

court sentenced Hart to 18 months for a violation of his community control in 12CR0168. The

sentence pertaining to case number 12CR0168 followed proper notification requirements and

conformed with R.C. 2929.15 as evidenced by the aforementioned transcript of the sentencing

hearing on July 19, 2012. Therefore the trial court did not err in its sentence in case number

12CR0168.

       {¶ 33} Now that we have established that both sentences in case numbers 06CR284 and

12CR0168 followed the proper notification requirements, we now focus on the trial court’s order

for Hart to serve them consecutively pursuant to R.C. 2929.14(C)(4). Hart contends that R.C.
Athens App. No. 13CA8                                                                     14

2929.14(C)(4) does not authorize a trial court to run a prison term for a violation of community

control consecutive to any other sentence. Hart does not cite any case law to support his position.

       {¶ 34} In State v. Barnhouse, 102 Ohio St. 3d 221, 2004-Ohio-9492, 808 N.E.2d 874, the

Ohio Supreme Court addressed an issue concerning a trial court’s imposition of consecutive six

month jail terms for violations of community control sanctions. In Barnhouse, the trial court

failed to properly notify the defendant of the specific prison term that would be imposed upon

him if he violated the conditions of his community control. Id. at ¶ 14. The trial court instead

attempted to sentence the defendant to consecutive prison terms under 2929.16(A)(2). Id. In

concluding that the trial court erred the Supreme Court stated: “Indeed, we are unwilling to

construe the unambiguous language in R.C. 2929.41(A) to achieve the end that could have been

accomplished by notifying the defendant of the specific prison term to be imposed upon him if he

were to violate the community control sanction. See R.C. 2929.19(B)(5)” Id. at 16. (Emphasis

Added).

       {¶ 35} The Supreme Court further stated: “Nevertheless, we reiterate that our decision

today does not limit the authority of the trial court to impose consecutive prison sentences under

R.C. 2929.14(E), which the General Assembly expressly provided as an exception to the general

rule in R.C. 2929.41(A) that sentences of imprisonment shall run concurrently.” Id. at ¶ 18. R.C.

2929.14(E) was the former statute for the exception now found in R.C. 2929.14(C)(4). See

State v. Marino, 4th Dist. Washington No. 11CA36, 2013-Ohio-113, f.n. 1.

Examining Barnhouse, R.C. 2929.41(A), and R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), there is nothing that explicitly

prevents a trial court from imposing consecutive sentences under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) for

multiple violations of community control sanctions as long as the notification requirements in
Athens App. No. 13CA8                                                                      15

R.C. 2929.14(B) are properly followed. Therefore, our next step is to evaluate the trial court’s

imposition of consecutive sentences under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4).

        {¶ 36} R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) sets forth certain findings that a trial court must make

prior to imposing consecutive sentences. State v. Black, 4th Dist. Ross No. 12CA3327,

2013-Ohio-2105, ¶¶ 56-57. That is, under Ohio law, unless the sentencing court makes

the required findings set forth in R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), there is a requirement that

sentences are to run concurrently. Black at ¶ 56; R.C. 2929.41(A).

       {¶ 37} Under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), a sentencing court must engage in a three-step analysis

and make certain findings before imposing consecutive sentences. Black at ¶ 57; State v. Clay,

4th Dist. Lawrence No. 11CA23, 2013-Ohio-4649, ¶ 64; State v. Howze, 10th Dist. Franklin Nos.

13AP-386 & 13AP-387, 2013-Ohio-4800, ¶ 18. Specifically, the sentencing court must find that

(1) “the consecutive service is necessary to protect the public from future crime or to punish the

offender”; (2) “consecutive sentences are not disproportionate to the seriousness of the

offender’s conduct and to the danger the offender poses to the public”; and (3) one 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
Athens App. No. 13CA8                                                                     16

       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 crime by the offender.

R.C. 2929.14(C)(4).

       {¶ 38} The Supreme Court of Ohio recently settled the issue of when and where the trial

court must state the required findings in order to sentence an offender to consecutive sentences:

       When imposing consecutive sentences, a trial court must state the required

       findings as part of the sentencing hearing, and by doing so it affords notice to the

       offender and to defense counsel. See Crim.R. 32(A)(4). And because a court

       speaks through it journal, State v. Brooks, 113 Ohio St. 3d 199, 2007-Ohio-1533,

       863 N.E.2d 1024, ¶ 47, the court should also incorporate its statutory findings in

       the sentencing entry.

       State v. Bonnell, Slip Opinion, No. 2014-Ohio-3177, ¶ 29.

While the sentencing court is required to make these findings, it is not required to give reasons

explaining the findings. Id. at ¶ 27; Howze at ¶ 18; State v. Stamper, 12th Dist. Butler No.

CA201208166, 2013-Ohio-5669, ¶ 23. Furthermore, the sentencing court is not required to recite

“a word-for-word recitation of the language of the statute.” Bonnell at 29. “[A]s long as the

reviewing court can discern that the trial court engaged in the correct analysis and can determine

that the record contains evidence to support the findings, consecutive sentences should be

upheld.” Id. A failure to make the findings required by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) renders a consecutive

sentence contrary to law. Bonnell at ¶ 34; Stamper at ¶ 23; State v. Nia, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.

99387, 2013–Ohio–5424, ¶ 22. The findings required by the statute must be separate and distinct
Athens App. No. 13CA8                                                                       17

findings; in addition to any findings relating to the purposes and goals of criminal sentencing.

Nia at ¶ 22.

       {¶ 39} Here, a review of the February 5, 2013 sentencing hearing transcript reveals that

the trial court failed to make any of the required findings. As a result, we find the imposition of

consecutive sentences without making the necessary findings to be contrary to law. Bonnell,

supra, at ¶ 34. We hereby vacate the portion of the trial court’s judgment imposing consecutive

sentences and remand this matter to the trial court for resentencing. Id.; see also State v. Corker,

10th Dist. Franklin Nos. 3AP-264, 13AP-265, & 13AP-266, 2013-Ohio-5446, ¶ 38 (“[W]hen the

trial court fails to articulate the appropriate findings required by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), the case is

to be remanded for the trial judge to consider whether consecutive sentences are appropriate

under [R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)] and, if so, to enter the proper findings on the record.”). The

remainder of the trial court’s judgment is affirmed.

                                   JUDGMENT AFFIRMED IN PART & REVERSED IN PART.
Athens App. No. 13CA8                                                                     18

                                     JUDGMENT ENTRY

      It is ordered that the JUDGMENT IS AFFIRMED IN PART AND REVERSED IN
PART. Appellant and Appellee shall equally divide the costs herein taxed.

       The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.

     It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the Athens County
Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment into execution.

        IF A STAY OF EXECUTION OF SENTENCE AND RELEASE UPON BAIL HAS
BEEN PREVIOUSLY GRANTED BY THE TRIAL COURT OR THIS COURT, it is
temporarily continued for a period not to exceed sixty days upon the bail previously posted. The
purpose of a continued stay is to allow Appellant to file with the Supreme Court of Ohio an
application for a stay during the pendency of the proceedings in that court. If a stay is continued
by this entry, it will terminate at the earliest of the expiration of the sixty day period, or the
failure of the Appellant to file a notice of appeal with the Supreme Court of Ohio in the forty-
five day appeal period pursuant to Rule II, Sec. 2 of the Rules of Practice of the Supreme Court
of Ohio. Additionally, if the Supreme Court of Ohio dismisses the appeal prior to the expiration
of sixty days, the stay will terminate as of the date of such dismissal.

       A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the
Rules of Appellate Procedure.

Harsha, J. & McFarland, J.: Concur in Judgment & Opinion.

                                                             For the Court

                                                             By:
                                                                   Marie Hoover, Judge

                                    NOTICE TO COUNSEL

       Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final judgment entry and the
time period for further appeal commences from the date of filing with the clerk.