Court Opinion

ID: 4152043
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-03-13 15:15:28.604989+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:27:05.724203
License: Public Domain

STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA

                          SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS

State of West Virginia,                                                      FILED
Plaintiff Below, Respondent                                               March 13, 2017
                                                                            RORY L. PERRY II, CLERK
vs) No. 16-0089 (Hampshire County 15-F-26)                               SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                              OF WEST VIRGINIA

Kevin Richard Helms,
Defendant Below, Petitioner

                              MEMORANDUM DECISION
        Petitioner Kevin Richard Helms, by counsel Eric S. Black, appeals the Circuit Court of
Hampshire County’s January 5, 2016, order sentencing him to a term of incarceration of not less
than one nor more than five years for one count of child abuse resulting in injury. Respondent,
the State of West Virginia, by counsel Shannon Fredrick Kiser, filed a response. On appeal,
petitioner argues that the circuit court erred in imposing his sentence.

        This Court has considered the parties’ briefs and the record on appeal. The facts and legal
arguments are adequately presented, and the decisional process would not be significantly aided
by oral argument. Upon consideration of the standard of review, the briefs, and the record
presented, the Court finds no substantial question of law and no prejudicial error. For these
reasons, a memorandum decision affirming the circuit court’s order is appropriate under Rule 21
of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.

        In January of 2015, petitioner was on indicted on three counts of child abuse resulting in
injury, in violation of West Virginia Code § 61-8D-3(a); one count of malicious assault, in
violation of West Virginia Code § 61-2-9; and two counts of failure to report child abuse, in
violation of West Virginia Code § 49-6A-2(a).1 The charges were the result of an investigation
into petitioner’s abusive actions while he was a supervisor and caretaker at the Potomac Center.2

       In March of 2015, petitioner, with the assistance of counsel, entered into a plea
agreement with respondent whereby he pled guilty to one count of child abuse resulting in injury
pursuant to West Virginia Code § 61-8D-3(a). The remaining counts of the indictment were

       1
        We note that West Virginia Code §§ 49-1-1 through 49-11-10 were repealed and
recodified during the 2015 Regular Session of the West Virginia Legislature. The new
enactment, West Virginia Code §§ 49-1-101 through 49-7-304, has minor stylistic changes and
became effective ninety days after the February 19, 2015, approval date. West Virginia Code §
49-6A-2(a) can now be found at West Virginia Code § 49-2-803(a).
       2
        The Potomac Center, located in Romney, West Virginia, provides a variety of residential
support and assistance for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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dismissed. On December 7, 2015, the circuit court held a sentencing hearing wherein it heard the
arguments of counsel, petitioner’s statement to the police, and a brief statement by the guardian
appointed to represent the interests of the physically abused children. Petitioner’s counsel argued
that petitioner accepted responsibility for his actions, had a low risk of recidivism, and was a
good candidate for probation. Petitioner testified that his work and family obligations warranted
alternative sentencing. Respondent countered that petitioner committed numerous acts of
misconduct throughout his term of employment with the Potomac Center and was suspended at
least seven times. Following the presentation of evidence, the circuit court sentenced petitioner
to a term of incarceration of not less than one nor more than five years for child abuse resulting
in injury. The circuit court denied petitioner’s motion for probation or alternative sentencing.
Petitioner was sentenced by order entered on January 5, 2016. It is from this order that petitioner
now appeals.

        Regarding petitioner’s claim that the circuit court erred in imposing his sentence,
petitioner argues that his sentence is excessive because he presented “strong evidence that he was
a good candidate for probation” and that the imposition of incarceration would be an “extreme
hardship” on his family. This Court has previously held that it reviews “sentencing orders . . .
under a deferential abuse of discretion standard, unless the order violates statutory or
constitutional commands.” Syl. Pt. 2, in part, State v. Georgius, 225 W.Va. 716, 696 S.E.2d 18
(2010). We have also previously held that “‘[s]entences imposed by the trial court, if within
statutory limits and if not based on some [im]permissible factor, are not subject to appellate
review.’ Syllabus Point 4, State v. Goodnight, 169 W.Va. 366, 287 S.E.2d 504 (1982).”
Georgius, 225 W.Va. at 719, 696 S.E.2d at 21. We note that petitioner’s sentence for his crime is
within the applicable statutory limitations and petitioner does not allege that his sentence was
based on any impermissible factor.

       West Virginia Code § 61-8D-3(a) provides that

       [i]f any parent, guardian or custodian shall abuse a child and by such abuse cause
       such child bodily injury as such term is defined in section one, article eight-b of
       this chapter, then such parent, guardian or custodian shall be guilty of a felony
       and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than
       $1,000 and imprisoned in a state correctional facility for not less than one nor
       more than five years . . .

Petitioner was sentenced to a period of not less than one year nor more than five years for this
crime. As such, it is clear that petitioner was sentenced within the applicable statutory guidelines.
Thus, petitioner’s sentence is not reviewable on appeal.

       For the foregoing reasons, the circuit court’s January 5, 2016, sentencing order is hereby
affirmed.

                                                                                          Affirmed.

ISSUED: March 13, 2017

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CONCURRED IN BY:

Chief Justice Allen H. Loughry II
Justice Robin Jean Davis
Justice Margaret L. Workman
Justice Menis E. Ketchum
Justice Elizabeth D. Walker

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