Court Opinion

ID: 856438
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-03-27 20:06:44.16164+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:18:25.764417
License: Public Domain

Filed 3/27/13 P. v. Ikelap CA4/1
                      NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
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                    COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                  DIVISION ONE

                                           STATE OF CALIFORNIA

THE PEOPLE,                                                         D061765

         Plaintiff and Respondent,

         v.                                                         (Super. Ct. No. SCD236683)

JOEY IKELAP,

         Defendant and Appellant.

         APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of San Diego County, Laura H.

Parsky, Judge. Affirmed.

         Joey Ikelap was convicted by a jury of possession of cocaine base for sale, in

violation of Health and Safety Code1 section 11351.5. Ikelap admitted various sentence

enhancing allegations, including that he had previously been convicted of a Health and

Safety Code violation within the meaning of section 11370.2, subdivision (a), had prior

1      All further statutory references are to the Health and Safety Code unless otherwise
specified.
convictions (Pen. Code, § 1203, subd. (e)(4)) and served a prior prison term (Pen. Code,

§§ 667.5 & 668). The court sentenced Ikelap to eight years in county jail, and imposed a

restitution fine under Penal Code section 1202.4 and an administration of justice fee

under Government Code section 29550.1.

                                             I

                                         FACTS

       A. The Current Offense

       On September 20, 2011, San Diego Police Officers Denny and Eraca were in a

marked patrol car patrolling in an area of downtown San Diego known for drug activity.

Around 10:30 p.m., they observed Ikelap and another man huddled together at the front

of a white truck parked in the 1400 block of Island Avenue. The officers, believing the

men were involved in drug activity, pulled up behind the truck. Ikelap and the other man

began walking away. The officers got out and contacted Ikelap and the other man. No

contraband was found on either of them and, after the officers told them they were free to

go, both men walked away.

       The officers then inspected the front of the truck and Denny discovered a small

plastic bag, containing several rocks that appeared to be cocaine base, in plain view on a

flat portion of the right front wheel frame of the truck. Denny did not touch the bag.

Instead, believing its owner would return for such a large amount of cocaine base, Denny

decided to maintain surveillance of the area from a vantage point that afforded a clear

view of the truck. He watched the truck from a nearby location while Eraca waited in the

patrol car some distance away.

                                             2
       About eight minutes later, after two to five people had walked by the truck without

stopping or looking at it, Denny saw Ikelap reappear, walk past the truck, stop to urinate

on a wall 20 to 25 yards from the truck, and then walk back to it. Ikelap went directly to

the front of the truck and picked up the bag without looking around. Denny alerted

Eraca, who pulled up to Ikelap in the patrol car. Ikelap reacted by tossing the bag away.

Eraca detained him and, while another officer watched Ikelap, returned to where the bag

had been tossed. He found the bag about 10 to 15 feet from where Ikelap was detained,

and Denny confirmed it was the same bag he had seen in the truck's wheel area. It

contained eight rocks of cocaine with a net weight of 1.32 grams.

       Eraca searched Ikelap and found a cell phone and over $300 cash in various

denominations, including numerous $20, $5 and $1 bills. Ikelap's cell phone rang six to

10 times following his arrest. Police found no glass pipes or other paraphernalia for

consuming the cocaine base, and Ikelap showed no symptoms of being under the

influence of any controlled substance. An expert testified the quantity of cocaine base,

the portions into which they were broken (all "set up to be $20 amounts"), the presence of

the cell phone, and the presence of cash primarily in denominations of $20, $5 and $1,

were all indicia of sales. The expert also noted (1) the absence of a glass pipe would

indicate Ikelap did not intend to consume the rocks, (2) the amount found on Ikelap

would require nearly eight days of "smoking nonstop and never sleeping and being high

that entire time" to consume, and (3) users don't generally carry substantial amounts of

cash on their person.

                                             3
       B. The Prior Crimes Evidence

       On October 31, 2007, San Diego Police Officer Pira contacted Ikelap in the 1500

block of Island Avenue in San Diego. Pira searched Ikelap and found rocks containing

cocaine base with a total net weight of 1.76 grams and more than $600 in cash in various

denominations. During the booking process, Ikelap stated he was not employed.

       On April 1, 2008, detectives Day and Botkin were conducting a "buy-bust"

operation. Day contacted a man (Tataipu) on the 1400 block of Island Avenue in San

Diego and asked about buying $40 worth of rock cocaine. Tataipu said he did not have

any drugs but would call his brother. After Tataipu made a phone call, he and Day took

the trolley one stop north, where they exited. Day gave Tataipu two prerecorded $20

bills and eventually saw Tataipu give the money to Ikelap, after which Tataipu walked

directly back to Day and gave him a rock with cocaine base. Day gave the "bust" signal

and Botkin arrested Ikelap. Botkin searched Ikelap and found nearly $500 on him,

including the prerecorded bills.

                                            II

                                       ANALYSIS

       A. The Mullens2 Claim

       In connection with the 2008 offense, Ikelap pleaded guilty to sale of a controlled

substance (§ 11352). However, in connection with the 2007 offense, a jury acquitted

Ikelap of a possession for sale charge (§ 11351.5) and instead convicted him only of

2      People v. Mullens (2004) 119 Cal.App.4th 648 (Mullens).
                                             4
simple possession (§ 11350). Ikelap asserts it was prejudicial error in his current trial to

preclude defense counsel from eliciting that Ikelap was acquitted of the possession for

sales charge (§ 11351.5) in connection with the 2007 incident.

       Background

       Prior to trial, the prosecution moved in limine to admit evidence of both the 2007

and 2008 crimes under Evidence Code section 1101, subdivision (b), to prove Ikelap's

knowledge (e.g. that he knowingly possessed a controlled substance) and intent (e.g. that

he possessed it for purposes of sale). At a pretrial hearing, the defense stated it would

stipulate Ikelap knew the nature of the substance and argued that, because the two

incidents were too dissimilar to the present case to have any relevance to the intent issue,

it would be improper to admit either prior crime into evidence. The court indicated that,

because the defense was stipulating to the knowledge element, it would not permit

evidence of the 2007 incident because it was a simple possession case and therefore only

relevant to the knowledge element. However, the court indicated it would allow the

evidence of the 2008 incident because it had relevance to the intent to sell element. The

defense then stated it would agree to allow both incidents to be admitted because "[i]f one

is going to come in, we might as well have the other one come in also." The court agreed

to allow both incidents, but acknowledged that the defense was still seeking a limiting

instruction as to those crimes.

       After the prosecution introduced Pira's testimony about the 2007 crime (e.g. that

Ikelap was found in possession of rocks containing cocaine base and more than $600 in

cash in various denominations but was not employed), the defense asked for a chambers

                                              5
conference before cross-examining Pira to determine whether the court would allow the

defense to show (through Pira) that Ikelap was convicted only of simple possession. The

court indicated that, if the prosecution planned to use the 2007 incident to show intent (by

arguing Ikelap possessed the drugs in the current case with the same intent to sell as he

did in the 2007 case), the court would permit the defense to show the 2007 conviction

was only for simple possession, but if the prosecution limited use of the 2007 arrest to

show knowledge (Ikelap knew the substance possessed in the current case was a

controlled substance because of his prior possession of the same substance in 2007), the

precise nature of the 2007 conviction would be irrelevant. The prosecutor stated it would

limit its argument to the knowledge issue. The defense objected that the evidence of the

2007 incident was necessarily admitted as to the intent issue, since the issue of

knowledge was not contested, and therefore insisted the defense should be allowed to

show the nature of the 2007 conviction. The court rejected that argument, and stated it

would give a limiting instruction that the only relevance of the 2007 incident would be on

the issue of knowledge, while the relevance of the 2008 incident would be on the issues

of both knowledge and intent.

       After the defense finished cross-examining Pira, the court immediately instructed

the jury that the only purpose for which it could consider Pira's testimony was on the

issue of knowledge and for "no other purpose." The court gave a similar instruction on

completion of the evidence as to the 2008 incident, stating that "as to the 2008 incident,

you are only to consider that as it relates to his alleged intent and knowledge on the date

[of the charged offense]. [¶] With respect to the 2007 incident, you can only consider

                                             6
that with respect to knowledge." Finally, in its closing charge to the jury, the court

reiterated the limited purpose for which the 2007 and 2008 incidents could be considered,

instructing:

          The People presented evidence that [Ikelap] committed the offense
          of possession of cocaine base [in 2007] and sale of cocaine base [in
          2008] that were not charged in this case. You may consider this
          evidence only if the People have proved by a preponderance of the
          evidence that [Ikelap], in fact, committed the uncharged offenses.
          [¶] . . . [¶] If you decide that [Ikelap] committed the uncharged
          offenses, you may but are not required to consider that evidence for
          the limited purpose of deciding whether or not [Ikelap] acted with
          the intent to sell the controlled substance in this case or [Ikelap]
          knew of the presence of the controlled substance and the substance's
          nature or character as a controlled substance . . . ."

       Legal Principles

       The ordinary rules governing the admission of other crimes evidence are well

established. Evidence of other crimes or bad acts is inadmissible when it is offered to

show a defendant had the criminal disposition or propensity to commit the crime charged.

(Evid. Code, § 1101, subd. (a).) However, evidence of other crimes or misconduct by a

defendant is admissible to prove a fact other than a disposition to commit such acts (Evid.

Code, § 1101, subd. (b)), including knowledge and intent. (People v. Ewoldt (1994) 7

Cal.4th 380, 402.) If the trial court determines that uncharged misconduct is admissible

under Evidence Code section 1101, subdivision (b), it must then determine whether the

probative value of the evidence is "substantially outweighed by the probability that its

admission [would] . . . create substantial danger of undue prejudice, of confusing the

issues, or of misleading the jury." (Evid. Code, § 352; Ewoldt, at p. 404.) We review the

                                              7
trial court's rulings under these standards for an abuse of discretion. (People v. Lewis

(2001) 25 Cal.4th 610, 637.)

       However, when the other crimes evidence involves conduct for which the

defendant had been charged but acquitted in a prior criminal proceeding, the so-called

"Griffin rule," derived from People v. Griffin (1967) 66 Cal.2d 459, places additional

constraints on the admission of other crimes evidence. In Mullens, supra, 119

Cal.App.4th 648, we summarized the Griffin rule as follows:

          "In sum, [Griffin], and its progeny, as they pertain to this case, stand
          for the proposition . . . that if a trial court permits the prosecution to
          present evidence that the defendant committed one or more similar
          offenses for which he or she is not charged in the current
          prosecution, the trial court must also allow the defense to present
          evidence of the defendant's acquittal, if any, of such crimes, and
          failure to allow such acquittal evidence constitutes error." (Mullens,
          supra, 119 Cal.App.4th at pp. 664-665.)

       Additionally, we recognized in Mullens that the trial court in such a case is

required to admit evidence of the defendant's acquittal, because evidence of the acquittal

of the previously charged offense "was admissible as a matter of law under [Griffin] and

its progeny." (Mullens, supra, 119 Cal.App.4th at p. 669.) Indeed, Mullens specifically

rejected the People's assertion that a trial court nevertheless retains discretion under

Evidence Code section 352 to exclude Griffin evidence, explaining that "[f]or the reasons

already discussed, if the court in conducting its section 352 analysis decides that the

section 1108 propensity evidence should be admitted, the court must also admit the

evidence of acquittal to rebut the propensity evidence. The admission of acquittal

evidence under the Griffin rule to rebut the propensity evidence assures fundamental

                                              8
fairness and protects the defendant's due process right to a fair trial and the right to

present a defense." (Mullens, at p. 670, fn. 9, italics added.)

       Analysis

       We conclude the trial court did not err in its rulings. The jury's consideration of

the 2007 crime was expressly limited to one issue: did Ikelap know the substance found

in his possession in 2011 was a controlled substance. The fact he was acquitted in 2007

of a possession for sales charge (§ 11351.5) and only convicted of simple possession

(§ 11350) was irrelevant to the issue for which it was admitted, because acquittal of the

former had no relevance to proving, in the instant case, whether Ikelap knew the

substance found on his person was a controlled substance.

       Ikelap's primary argument is that the prejudicial impact of having the 2007

incident presented to the jury was not adequately ameliorated by the limiting instructions

given to the jury, and the jury likely misused the facts of the 2007 offense to infer Ikelap

possessed the drugs in 2011 with the requisite intent to sell them. However, we presume

the jury understood and correctly applied the court's instructions (People v. Sanchez

(2001) 26 Cal.4th 834, 852), and therefore we presume the jury understood the

exceedingly limited purpose for which it could consider the 2007 evidence. Moreover,

because the court specifically instructed the jury the prosecution's evidence was that

Ikelap "committed the offense of possession of cocaine base [in 2007]," the jury was

indirectly instructed that the 2007 offense (despite its factual parallels to the facts of the

present case) was limited to a simple possession offense, blunting any claim that the jury

                                               9
likely misused the facts of the 2007 offense to infer Ikelap possessed the drugs in 2011

with the requisite intent to sell.

       Finally, even assuming the court should have admitted the acquittal as suggested

by Ikelap, we are convinced any error was harmless because it is not reasonably probable

Ikelap would have obtained a more favorable result had that evidence been admitted.3

The evidence on which the present conviction was based was substantial and unrelated to

the 2007 incident. Ikelap was found in possession of an amount of drugs beyond what

could be consumed without Herculean consumption, and without any of the implements

necessary for consumption even had he tried to undertake that effort, and there were no

signs that he had in fact consumed the drugs. Moreover, he was found with rocks broken

into sizes of a typically marketable size, and with a large amount of cash in

denominations consistent with selling and inconsistent with the amount of cash ordinarily

carried by users. Finally, he was found in an area frequented by sellers and carried an

implement (a cell phone) employed by sellers that rang frequently following his arrest.

Additionally, the "other crimes" evidence concerning the 2008 incident, which Ikelap

does not claim was improperly admitted, involved analogous conduct for which he was

convicted of possession for sale. The foregoing evidence was the focus of the

prosecutor's closing argument as to Ikelap's intent to sell, and the evidence of the 2007

3       Although Ikelap argues the more stringent test of Chapman v. California (1967)
386 U.S. 18 should apply, the courts have applied People v. Watson (1956) 46 Cal.2d 818
to the erroneous admission of other crimes evidence (see, e.g., People v. Scheer (1998)
68 Cal.App.4th 1009, 1018-1019) and to the exclusion of acquittal evidence in violation
of the Griffin rule (see, e.g., Mullens, supra, 119 Cal.App.4th at pp. 658-659, 669), and
we therefore apply the Watson test here.
                                            10
incident was mentioned in the prosecution's closing argument only in connection with the

knowledge element of the offense. On this record, we conclude it is not reasonably

probable Ikelap would have obtained a more favorable result had the jury been informed

of the prior adjudication.

       B. The Booking Fee Claim

       Ikelap contends the $154 "booking fee," imposed under Government Code section

29550.1 as a local arrestee, violated his equal protection right because under that

provision a court is not required to consider his ability to pay, when in contrast a court

must consider a defendant's ability to pay the same fee if imposed under Government

Code section 29550.2 as a county arrestee. However, Ikelap did not challenge this

booking fee in the trial court and equal protection claims not preserved at trial are

ordinarily deemed forfeited.4 (See, e.g., People v. Alexander (2010) 49 Cal.4th 846, 880,

fn. 14.) As our Supreme Court has held, "all 'claims involving the trial court's failure to

properly make or articulate its discretionary sentencing choices' raised for the first time

on appeal are not subject to review." (People v. Smith (2001) 24 Cal.4th 849, 852, citing

People v. Scott (1994) 9 Cal.4th 331, 353.) This forfeiture rule exists " 'to reduce the

number of errors committed in the first instance' " (ibid.), and " 'the number of costly

appeals brought on that basis [citation].' " (Smith, at p. 852, quoting People v. Welch

(1993) 5 Cal.4th 228, 235.) Ikelap neither raised his challenge to the court's imposition

4     The California Supreme Court is currently reviewing whether a challenge to a jail
booking fee is subject to forfeiture if not raised below. (People v. McCullough (2011)
193 Cal.App.4th 864, review granted June 29, 2011, S192513.)
                                             11
of booking fees at sentencing nor presented evidence of differential treatment in the

record, and we conclude this discretionary sentencing choice is therefore not subject to

review on appeal.

       Even assuming Ikelap's claim was not forfeited and equal protection requires the

court to make an implied finding of an ability to pay,5 there was sufficient evidence of

Ikelap's ability to pay to support an implied finding. A court's finding of a defendant's

present ability to pay may be express or implied "through the content and conduct of the

hearings." (People v. Pacheco (2010) 187 Cal.App.4th 1392, 1398; People v. Phillips

(1994) 25 Cal.App.4th 62, 71.) The probation report considered by the trial court showed

Ikelap's employment, while sporadic, earned him $80 per day as a laborer. He was not

homeless, but instead rented a room in a house. Ikelap has no children for whom child

support would be owed, and it appears he has no other debts. He will presumably have

prison wages; he did not make a contrary claim. (People v. Frye (1994) 21 Cal.App.4th

1483, 1486-1487.) The imposition of the $154 booking fee was proper.

       C. The Restitution Fine and Abstract of Judgment

       Ikelap contends, and the People concede, the court's restitution fine was imposed

under higher rates contained in the version of Penal Code section 1202.4, subdivision

(b)(1), in effect at the time of sentencing, rather than the lower rates contained in the

version of Penal Code section 1202.4, subdivision (b)(1), in effect at the time of the

5      The California Supreme Court has also granted review in a case that rejected an
equal protection challenge to Government Code section 29550.1, but deferred further
action pending resolution of the related issue in McCullough. (People v Mason (2012)
206 Cal.App.4th 1026, review granted August 29, 2012, S203747.)
                                              12
offenses. Ikelap further argues, and the People concede, employing the version in effect

at sentencing rather than the version in effect at the time of the offenses to calculate the

fine would violate ex post facto protections. Ikelap asserts, the People concede, and we

agree, that ex post facto concerns may be eliminated by ordering the abstract of judgment

to be amended to impose a restitution fine of $1600 based on the law at the time of the

offenses.

       The People also note in their brief on appeal that the abstract of judgment

erroneously states Ikelap received a three-year sentence enhancement under section

11372.5, subdivision (a), and instead should have stated he received a three-year

enhancement under section 11370.2, subdivision (a). We agree and will direct the trial

court to correct the abstract of judgment.

                                       DISPOSITION

       The court on remand shall amend the sentence to impose a restitution fine of

$1600, and shall amend the abstract of judgment to reflect imposition of a three-year

enhancement under section 11370.2, subdivision (a), and, as so modified, the judgment is

affirmed.

                                                                             McDONALD, J.
WE CONCUR:

HALLER, Acting P. J.

O'ROURKE, J.

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