Court Opinion

ID: 4166187
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-05-04 15:23:34.730187+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:38:23.642592
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                        MAY 4, 2017
                                                               In the Office of the Clerk of Court
                                                              WA State Court of Appeals, Division III

           IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
                              DIVISION THREE

STATE OF WASHINGTON,                         )
                                             )        No. 33526-7-111
                    Respondent,              )
                                             )
      V.                                     )
                                             )
FRANK MURILLO, IV,                           )        UNPUBLISHED OPINION
                                             )
                    Appellant.               )

      FEARING, C.J. -   Frank Murillo IV appeals his sentence following his conviction

on ten counts of possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

He claims the trial court erred when concluding, for purposes of Murillo's offender score,

that the court needed to .consider each conviction as based on separate conduct and when

sentencing Murillo to seven years in prison. Murillo also challenges the imposition of

legal financial obligations and community custody conditions. We agree with Murillo's

contention regarding his offender score, and we remand for resentencing, during which

the trial court should review whether the ten convictions arise from the same criminal

conduct.

                                         FACTS

      The prosecution of Frank Murillo IV arises from his photographing and

videotaping sexual conduct with his sixteen-year-old girlfriend. On February 14, 2014,
No. 33526-7-111
State v. Murillo

Murillo, then twenty, took his girlfriend to a hotel room and the two engaged in sex.

During the encounter, Murillo took sexually explicit pictures and videos.

       On February 19, 2014, Pasco Police Detective Chad Pettijohn saw Frank Murillo

driving to and from Murillo's hotel. Detective Pettijohn knew that the State had

suspended Murillo's driver's license. Pettijohn called Murillo's Community Corrections

Officer, Charles Dorendorf, who searched, with Pettijohn, Murillo's car and his hotel

room. Dorendorf and Pettijohn found 78.6 grams of marijuana. Incident to an arrest for

the marijuana, Detective Pettijohn searched Murillo and found two cell phones.

       Pasco Detective Chad Pettijohn obtained a warrant to search Frank Murillo's cell

phones for evidence of narcotics transactions. During the scan of the phone, Pettijohn

observed videos containing graphic sexual content of Murillo and a woman who appeared

underage. After garnering an amended search warrant, Detective Robert Benson

extracted, from one phone, two videos and hundreds of sexually explicit photos of the

young woman. Detective Pettijohn identified the female in the videos and pictures as

Murillo's sixteen-year-old girlfriend. The girlfriend later acknowledged being the female

in the videos, and she stated she knew not of the photography.

      Frank Murillo IV belongs to the Varrio Rat Pack, a Tri-Cities street gang. Police

officers believed that, on February 19, 2014, the date of Murillo's arrest, another gang

member visited Murillo in Murillo's hotel room.

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State v. Murillo

                                      PROCEDURE

       The State of Washington charged Frank Murillo IV with one count of sexual

exploitation of a minor, ten counts of first degree possession of depictions of a minor

engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and possession of marijuana with the intent to

deliver, all occurring on or about February 18, 2014. Following trial, the jury found

Murillo guilty of only the ten counts of possession of depictions of a minor engaged in

sexually explicit conduct.

      A presentence investigation report concerning Frank Murillo included the

following information:

              When asked, Mr. Murillo said that he made the videos on different
      days, but all occurred in the month of December. He said that [his
      girlfriend] participated in the making of the videos, and he had forgotten
      about them when they were discovered by law enforcement.

             Mr. Murillo said he dropped out of school in the 8th grade. He said
      he began attending an alternative high school shortly after, but his
      attendance was sporadic. Mr. Murillo said he was close to graduating when
      arrested for the instant offense.
             Mr. Murillo said his work history consists mostly of field labor, but
      he has worked the last 4 years holding a sign for Liberty Tax Service.
      When asked about the job, Mr. Murillo said the work is only during the tax
      season, and consists of dressing up in a Statue of Liberty costume and
      dancing on the sidewalk to attract customers.

             [Murillo] reports receiving $180.00 a month in food assistance from
      the State of Washington .... [He] reports owing $6000.00 in back child
      support. He says he currently is required to pay $160.00 per month ....
      When asked, Mr. Murillo said he is only required to pay child support for
      one of his three children.

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State v. Murillo

              Mr. Murillo denies having any consumer debt, but reports owning
      [sic] around $30,000.00 in fines and restitution. Mr. Murillo said the
      majority of this amount is in collections.

             Mr. Murillo reports being homeless just prior to his arrest for this
      offense ....

             Mr. Murillo has a lengthy criminal history, mostly misdemeanors,
      and appears to be actively involved in a local gang. He appears to be
      somewhat intelligent, but clearly lacks direction in life, making a multitude
      of poor choices.

Clerk's Papers (CP) at 39, 44-46.

      At sentencing, Frank Murillo argued that the possession of depictions of a minor

engaged in sexually explicit conduct convictions count only as one crime for purposes of

his offender score because all ten counts arose from the same criminal conduct. In

response, the State contended:

              [PROSECUTOR]: I'll make a brief additional record that each count
      would be counted against each other also there was no evidence in this case
      that the photographs were made at the same place and time. They all
      involve the same victim .... Mr. Murillo said he made the video on
      different days regarding [sic] the photographs. There is one file image that
      is distinctly different from the others. The State charged possession, he
      possessed them on the same date. As to where [sic] they were made, they
      weren't at the same point in time so they are not the same criminal
      [conduct].

Report of Proceedings (RP) (June 2, 2015) at 10-11. The State added:

              [PROSECUTOR]: It's clear from the law [RCW] 9.68A.070([1])(c)
      that these are to be treated as separate offenses. That being the case, the
      defendant's offender score is nine plus, which makes his range 77 to 102
      months.

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No. 33526-7-III
State v. Murillo

RP (June 2, 2015) at 14.

       The trial court agreed with the State, calculated Murillo's offender score as 12.5,

and sentenced Murillo to a standard range of seven years on each conviction, with the

sentences running concurrently. During the sentencing hearing, the trial court remarked:

              The Court believes that after reviewing [State v. Polk, 187 Wn. App.
       380, 348 P.3d 1255 (2015)] and reviewing the statute 9.68A.070,
       specifically subsection [ 1]( c) that the Court is bound to treat each of the
       depictions as separate incidences of conduct. That results in a score of 12
       and a half points. For our purposes nine plus. This yields a range of 77 to
       102 months.

RP (June 2, 2015) at 16-17.

       During sentencing, the trial court engaged in the following colloquy with Frank

Murillo's attorney concerning payment of legal financial obligations:

              THE COURT: One additional question. Does your client agree upon
      release from confinement he is capable of employment and thus capable of
      paying costs on the fines[?]
              MR. HARMS [DEFENSE COUNSEL]: I would say however long
      he is in prison. And when he comes out as a registered sex offender, I
      couldn't tell you that for sure.
              THE COURT: He is physically able.
              MR. HARMS: Yes.
              THE COURT: And the extent of his other existing financial
      obligations are again he has child support and owes approximately 30,000
      in fines and restitution; is that correct?
              MR. HARMS: I believe that is correct.

RP (June 2, 2015) at 15.

      The trial court imposed $1,278.48 in legal financial obligations. The legal

financial obligations included: a $500.00 victim assessment fee, a $200.00 filing fee, a

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No. 33526-7-III
State v. Murillo

$87.48 sheriff service fee, and a $500.00 fine. The trial court struck the felony DNA

collection fee. The court commented during the sentencing hearing:

             Court costs total $1,378.48. Again the defendant has indicated
      through counsel that he is physically able to work. While he does have
      prior obligations based on prior convictions and a current child support
      obligation to one child with the reasonable belief that he may eventually
      have to pay support for the other two children I still believe that an
      imposition of fines are appropriate.

RP (June 2, 2015) at 17.

      The trial court also imposed the following community custody conditions on

Frank Murillo:

              5. You shall submit to urine, breath, or other screening whenever
      requested to do so by the program staff or your community corrections
      officer.

              13. Have no contact with any person(s) under the age of 18, unless
      prior approval has been received by the community correction officer, and
      sex offender treatment therapist. Approved contact shall only be in the
      presence of an adult who the defendant has disclosed his/her full offense
      history, supervision conditions, and any treatment rules.

              15. Do not enter into or frequent business establishments or areas
      that cater to minor children. Such establishments may include but are not
      limited to video game parlors, libraries, parks, shopping malls, pools,
      skating rinks, school grounds, or any areas routinely used by minors as
      areas of play/recreation.

             20. Do not possess or consume alcohol.
             21. Do not enter bars, taverns, lounges, or any place/business where
      alcohol is the primary sale item.

             25. Do not dress wholly in one color or display any other gang-
      associated dress items, based on color, to include, but not limited to, dew

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No. 33526-7-111
State v. Murillo

       rags, kerchiefs, belts, shoelaces, or any other item deemed so by CCO.
              26. Do not have contact with any person identified by DOC or law
       enforcement as being a member or associate of any gang.
              27. Do not use your own or any other's gang "tags", nicknames or
       monikers, unless asked for such by law enforcement, DOC or other
       appropriate legal authority.
              28. The defendant shall consent to unannounced examinations of
       any computer or cell phone equipment owned or controlled by the
       defendant which may result in the retrieval and copying of all data from the
       computer and any internal or external peripherals and may involve removal
       of such equipment for the purpose of conducting a more thorough
       investigation.

CP at 15-17.

                                 LAW AND ANALYSIS

       On appeal, Frank Murillo assigns three errors to his sentencing. First, the trial

court failed to exercise discretion when determining whether all of his possession of

depiction of a minor engaging in sex convictions were part of the same course of criminal

conduct. Second, the trial court imposed impermissible community custody conditions.

Third, the trial court erroneously imposed legal financial obligations when he probably

lacked the ability to pay.

                                Same Criminal Misconduct

       This appeal juxtaposes two criminal statutes, one that creates the crime of

possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct and the second

that discusses the calculation of offender scores for purposes of sentencing. The trial

court convicted Frank Murillo of ten counts of possession of depictions in the first

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No. 33526-7-111
State v. Murillo

degree. Our first statute, RCW 9 .68A.070, creates the crime of possession of depictions:

               (1 )(a) A person commits the crime of possession of depictions of a
       minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct in the first degree when he or
       she knowingly possesses a visual or printed matter depicting a minor
       engaged in sexually explicit conduct as defined in RCW 9.68A.011(4)(a)
       through (e).
               (b) Possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit
       conduct in the first degree is a class B felony punishable under chapter
       9A.20RCW.
              (c) For the purposes of determining the unit ofprosecution under
       this subsection, each depiction or image of visual or printed matter
       constitutes a separate offense.
              (2)(a) A person commits the crime of possession of depictions of a
       minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct in the second degree when he or
       she knowingly possesses any visual or printed matter depicting a minor
       engaged in sexually explicit conduct as defined in RCW 9.68A.011(4)(f) or
       (g).
              (b) Possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit
       conduct in the second degree is a class C felony punishable under chapter
       9A.20RCW.
               (c) For the purposes of determining the unit ofprosecution under
       this subsection, each incident ofpossession of one or more depictions or
       images of visual or printed matter constitutes a separate offense.

(Emphasis added.)

       RCW 9.68A.070 categorizes the crime of possession of depictions between first

degree and second degree depending on the extremity of the sexual conduct performed in

the depiction. The first degree crime involves pictures of:

               (a) Sexual intercourse, including genital-genital, oral-genital, anal-
       genital, or oral-anal, whether between persons of the same or opposite sex
       or between humans and animals;
              (b) Penetration of the vagina or rectum by any object;
              (c) Masturbation;
              (d) Sadomasochistic abuse;

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No. 33526-7-111
State v. Murillo

              (e) Defecation or urination for the purpose of sexual stimulation of
       the viewer.

RCW 9.68A.0I 1(4). The second degree crime entails images of:

              ( f) Depiction of the genitals or unclothed pubic or rectal areas of any
       minor, or the unclothed breast of a female minor, for the purpose of sexual
       stimulation of the viewer. For the purposes of this subsection (4 )( f), it is
       not necessary that the minor know that he or she is participating in the
       described conduct, or any aspect of it; and
              (g) Touching of a person's clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic area,
       buttocks, or breast area for the purpose of sexual stimulation of the viewer.

RCW 9.68A.0I 1(4).

       Note that RCW 9.68A.070 announces different units of prosecution depending on

whether the crime charged is first degree or second degree possession of depictions. The

unit of prosecution for first degree possession is each depiction or image. RCW

9.68A.070(1)(c). The unit of prosecution for second degree possession is each incident

of possession. RCW 9.68A.070(2)(c). To our limited knowledge, law enforcement

caught Frank Murillo with only one incident of possession, but found numerous images

of sexual activity. Because of the nature of the images, the State exercised its prerogative

to charge ten counts.

       Our second statute, RCW 9.94A.589, a sentencing statute, proclaims:

              (l)(a) Except as provided in (b), (c), or (d) of this subsection,
       whenever a person is to be sentenced for two or more current offenses, the
       sentence range for each current offense shall be determined by using all
       other current and prior convictions as if they were prior convictions for the
       purpose of the offender score: PROVIDED, That if the court enters a
       finding that some or all of the current offenses encompass the same

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No. 33526-7-111
State v. Murillo

       criminal conduct then those current offenses shall be counted as one crime.
       Sentences imposed under this subsection shall be served concurrently.
       Consecutive sentences may only be imposed under the exceptional sentence
       provisions of RCW 9.94A.535. "Same criminal conduct," as used in this
       subsection, means two or more crimes that require the same criminal intent,
       are committed at the same time and place, and involve the same victim.
       This definition applies in cases involving vehicular assault or vehicular
       homicide even if the victims occupied the same vehicle.

(Emphasis added.)

       RCW 9.94A.589(l)(a) differs from RCW 9.68A.070 in purpose and concepts.

The unit of prosecution for a crime under RCW 9 .68A.070 determines how many charges

the State may file for similar conduct. The notion of "same criminal conduct" under

RCW 9.94A.589 entails the offender score calculated on sentencing. A unit of

prosecution determination diverges from a resolution of whether the units of prosecution

entail the same criminal conduct. Thus, the latter determination requires a separate

analysis. State v. French, 157 Wn.2d 593, 611, 141 P.3d 54 (2006); State v. Thompson,

192 Wn. App. 733, 736 n.1, 370 P.3d 586 (2016).

       On appeal, Frank Murillo challenges his offender score, not his convictions for ten

units of prosecution. He complains that the trial court did not exercise its judgment when

reviewing whether to consider the ten convictions as the same criminal conduct. A trial

court's determination of what constitutes the same criminal conduct for purposes of

calculating an offender score will not be reversed absent an abuse of discretion or

misapplication of the law. State v. Tili, 139 Wn.2d 107, 122, 985 P.2d 365 (1999). A

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No. 33526-7-III
State v. Murillo

trial court abuses its discretion when its decision is based on untenable grounds or

reasons. State v. Mehrabian, 175 Wn. App. 678, 710, 308 P.3d 660 (2013) .

      .The State argues that the trial court committed no error and only discussed the unit

of prosecution in its oral ruling. We disagree based on the following salient passage:

               The Court believes that after reviewing Polk and reviewing the
       statute 9 .68A.070, specifically subsection [ 1]( c) that the Court is bound to
       treat each of the depictions as separate incidences of conduct. That results
       in a score of 12 and a half points.

RP (June 2, 2015) at 16-17 (emphasis added). The trial court was correct that the court,

under RCW 9.68A.070, needed to treat each depiction as a separate incident for purposes

of the number of convictions without regard to their sentencing consequences. But the

trial court made the comment in the context of calculating the offender score, so the

comment inevitably influenced the calculation of the offender score under the sentencing

statute, RCW 9.94A.589(1)(a). The trial court's ruling shows that the trial court believed

it lacked discretion to conclude that the conduct leading to the discrete convictions

constituted the same criminal conduct for purposes of sentencing. State v. Polk, 187 Wn.

App. 380, 348 P.3d 1255 (2015), mentioned by the trial court, involved the unit of

prosecution against David Polk, not his offender score.

      The trial court commits error when it possesses discretion but erroneously believes

it has no discretion. In re Personal Restraint of Mulholland, 161 Wn.2d 322, 332, 166

P.3d 677 (2007); State v. Grayson, 154 Wn.2d 333,342, 111 P.3d 1183 (2005). Thus, we

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No. 33526-7-111
State v. Murillo

hold the trial court committed error in sentencing.

       Under RCW 9.94A.589(1)(a), a court will consider two or more crimes the "same

criminal conduct" if the crimes: (1) require the same criminal intent, (2) are committed at

the same time and place, and (3) involve the same victim. State v. Price, 103 Wn. App.

845, 855, 14 P.3d 841 (2000). All three prongs must be met. State v. Vike, 125 Wn.2d

407, 410, 885 P .2d 824 ( 1994 ). If any one of these elements is missing, the sentencing

court must count the offenses separately in calculating the offender score. State v.

Knight, 176 Wn. App. 936, 959, 309 P.3d 776 (2013). The defendant bears the burden of

establishing same criminal conduct. State v. Wright, 183 Wn. App. 719,733,334 P.3d

22 (2014 ). The number of images possessed by Frank Murillo may influence the trial

court's decision as to whether to treat two or more crimes as the same criminal conduct,

but the number does not control. Nor do the units of prosecution govern.

       Frank Murillo asks this reviewing court to engage in the same criminal conduct

analysis and hold that all ten convictions qualify as the same conduct. Murillo

emphasizes that the nature of the crime is possession of the images, not the

photographing or videotaping of the sexual activity, and that he possessed images of only

one victim. In response, the State observes that Murillo took the images on separate

dates, the respective images depict varying sexual acts, and Murillo downloaded the

images at different times. The State argues that the respective counts involved different

intents.

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No. 33526-7-III
State v. Murillo

       We decline to engage in the same criminal conduct analysis without the trial court

first undertaking this task. Since the trial court holds discretion in determining whether

one or more convictions constitute the same criminal conduct for purposes of the

offender score, we remand to the trial court to exercise its discretion.

                                Other Assignments of Error

       On appeal, Frank Murillo challenges the imposition of some of his community

custody conditions. He assigns error to conditions precluding contact with his own

children, association with gang members, imbibing of alcohol, and entry into bars. He

complains of conditions requiring the undergoing of breath screening and the consenting

to computer searches by law enforcement. Murillo did not challenge these conditions

before the trial court. Still, a defendant may challenge an erroneously imposed sentence

for the first time on appeal. State v. Bahl, 164 Wn.2d 739, 744, 193 P.3d 678 (2008);

State v. Ford, 137 Wn.2d 472,477, 973 P.2d 452 (1999).

       On appeal, Frank Murillo also argues that the trial court did not engage in a

sufficient individualized inquiry into his financial ability to pay legal financial

obligations. Murillo also challenges the constitutionally of the obligations.

       Because we remand for resentencing and a new review of Frank Murillo's

sentencing score, we do not address Murillo's other assignments of error with regard to

his sentence. Murillo may assert his arguments against the community custody

conditions and concerning legal financial obligations before the trial court.

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No. 33526-7-III
State v. Murillo

                             Statement of Additional Grounds

       Frank Murillo raises four issues in his statement of additional grounds (SAG).

              In a criminal case on direct appeal, the defendant may file a pro se
       statement of additional grounds for review to identify and discuss those
       matters related to the decision under review that the defendant believes
       have not been adequately addressed by the brief filed by the defendant's
       counsel.

              Reference to the record and citation to authorities are not necessary,
       or required, but the appellate court will not consider a defendant's
       statement of additional grounds for review if it does not inform the court of
       the nature and occurrence of alleged errors. . . . [T]he appellate court is not
       obligated to search the record in support of claims made in a defendant's
       statement of additional grounds for review. Only documents that are
       contained in the record on review should be attached or referred to in the
       statement.

RAP 10.lO(a)-(c).

       We reject all of Frank Murillo's additional grounds. First, Murillo may argue that

Detective Robert Benson did not prove that the photos presented at trial came from his

cell phone. This contention fails because Detective Benson testified extensively at trial

about ensuring that the photos from the phone were the photos he delivered to Detective

Chad Pettijohn. Second, Murillo asks this court: "what defines the final [decision] to be

considered oral sex?" SAG at 1. This question may ask the court to view the contents of

the photos to determine if the depictions are sufficiently sexual in nature to satisfy one of

the elements of the charged crime. Nevertheless, Murillo has not requested copies of the

photos to be part of the record on appeal. Therefore, this court cannot engage in that

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No. 33526-7-III
State v. Murillo

mqmry. Third, Murillo may claim a lack of the sufficiency of the evidence regarding

knowing possession. Nevertheless, we are unable to respond because Murillo has failed

to inform this court of the nature and occurrence of the alleged errors. Finally, Murillo

asks this court to evaluate "all the motions presented in court ... to make sure the judge

made the right [decisions] in the case." SAG at 2. Nevertheless, this request does not

allege error nor inform the court of the nature and location of such error. Under RAP

RAP 10.10, we do not search the records for purported errors.

                                     CONCLUSION

       We remand for resentencing consistent with our opinion. We deny the State costs

on appeal because Frank Murillo has in part prevailed on his primary contention.

       A majority of the panel has determined this opinion will not be printed in the

Washington Appellate Reports, but it will be filed for public record pursuant to RCW

2.06.040.

                                             Fearing, C .J.   q- '
WE CONCUR:

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