Court Opinion

ID: 2773192
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-01-26 16:08:44.458506+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:58:36.328645
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Baumle, 2015-Ohio-220.]

                      IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                          THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
                              PAULDING COUNTY

STATE OF OHIO,

        PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,                               CASE NO. 11-14-06

        v.

ABAGAIL L. BAUMLE,                                        OPINION

        DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.

                Appeal from Paulding County Common Pleas Court
                           Trial Court No. CR-13-587

                                      Judgment Affirmed

                           Date of Decision: January 26, 2015

APPEARANCES:

        Timothy C. Holtsberry for Appellant

        Joseph R. Burkard for Appellee
Case No. 11-14-06

PRESTON, J.

      {¶1} Defendant-appellant, Abagail L. Baumle (“Baumle”), appeals the June

4, 2014 judgment entry of sentence of the Paulding County Court of Common

Pleas. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.

      {¶2} On November 15, 2013, the Paulding County Grand Jury indicted

Baumle on one count of theft in violation of R.C. 2913.02(A)(1), (B)(2), a fifth-

degree felony. (Doc. No. 1). The indictment alleged that on September 5, 2013

through September 24, 2013 Baumle purposely deprived the victim, Courtney

Temple (“Temple”), of an item of property listed in R.C. 2913.71, a “credit/debit

card,” or exerted control over that property without Temple’s consent. (Id.).

      {¶3} On November 25, 2013, Baumle entered a not-guilty plea at

arraignment. (Doc. No. 11).

      {¶4} On February 25, 2014, Baumle waived her right to a trial by jury and a

trial to the court was held on April 10, 2014. (Doc. Nos. 18, 19, 24). The trial

court found Baumle guilty as to the count in the indictment and ordered a

presentence investigation (“PSI”). (Doc. No. 24); (Apr. 10, 2014 Tr. at 51).

      {¶5} On April 22, 2014, Baumle filed a “Motion for Dismissal” under

Crim.R. 29, 47, and 48, arguing that there was insufficient evidence that she

intended to permanently deprive Temple of her debit card. (Doc. No. 25). The

trial court denied Baumle’s motion on April 30, 2014. (Doc. No. 26).

                                        -2-
Case No. 11-14-06

      {¶6} On June 2, 2014, the trial court sentenced Baumle to four years of

community control.     (June 4, 2014 JE, Doc. No. 29).      Baumle’s community

control sanctions included: that she will serve 20-days in jail with work-release

privileges; that she may not consume alcohol or controlled substances and enter

any bars, taverns, or establishments that serve alcohol by the single serving; that

she will be subject to random blood, breath, and urine screens; that she will pay

court costs in this case; and that she will maintain employment during her term of

community control. (Id.).

      {¶7} Baumle filed her notice of appeal on July 3, 2014. (Doc. No. 31).

Baumle raises three assignments of error for our review. We elect to address

Baumle’s first and second assignments of error together, followed by her third

assignment of error.

                            Assignment of Error No. I

      The trial court’s finding of guilt for a violation of R.C.
      2913.02(A)(1) for theft of a debit card is against the manifest
      weight of the evidence.

                            Assignment of Error No. II

      The trial court erred in overruling defendant’s motion to dismiss
      pursuant to Criminal Rules 29, 47 and 48.

      {¶8} In her first and second assignments of error, Baumle argues that her

conviction is against the manifest weight of the evidence and is not supported by

sufficient evidence.   In particular, Baumle argues that there is insufficient

                                        -3-
Case No. 11-14-06

evidence that she purposely deprived Temple of her debit card because Baumle

replaced it in Temple’s wallet after each time she used it. She also contends that

there is insufficient evidence that Temple did not consent to Baumle’s use of her

debit card.

        {¶9} As an initial matter, we note that Baumle argues in her second

assignment of error that the trial court erred in overruling her “motion to dismiss.”

However, Baumle mischaracterizes her motion.                      Instead, because Baumle’s

motion was made after the presentation of evidence and requested the trial court to

examine the evidence presented and dismiss the indictment since there was

insufficient evidence that Baumle intended to permanently deprive Temple of her

debit card, the motion was framed as, and treated as, a motion for acquittal under

Crim.R. 29.1 See State v. Stout, 3d Dist. Logan No. 8-06-12, 2006-Ohio-6089, ¶

11 (“If a motion to dismiss requires examination of evidence beyond the face of

the complaint, it must be presented as a motion for acquittal under Crim.R. 29 at

the close of the state’s case.”), citing State v. Varner, 81 Ohio App.3d 85, 86 (9th

Dist.1991). Nevertheless, Baumle’s motion had no application in her bench trial.

See State v. Miller, 3d Dist. Seneca No. 13-12-52, 2013-Ohio-3194, ¶ 27, fn. 3

(“‘The purpose of a motion for judgment of acquittal is to test the sufficiency of

the evidence and, where the evidence is insufficient, to take the case from the jury.

1
  Although Baumle characterized her motion as a “motion to dismiss,” we note that she stated that her
arguments were being made under Crim.R. 29, 47, and 48. (See Doc. No. 25).

                                                -4-
Case No. 11-14-06

In the non-jury trial, however, the defendant’s plea of not guilty serves as a motion

for judgment of acquittal, and obviates the necessity of renewing a Crim.R. 29

motion at the close of all the evidence.’”), quoting City of Dayton v. Rogers, 60

Ohio St.2d 162, 163 (1979). Accordingly, we will treat Baumle’s assignment of

error as challenging the sufficiency of the evidence. Id., citing State v. Tatum, 3d.

Dist. Seneca No. 13-10-8, 2011-Ohio-3005, ¶ 43 and State v. Miley, 114 Ohio

App.3d 738, 742 (4th Dist.1996).

       {¶10} “An appellate court’s function when reviewing the sufficiency of the

evidence to support a criminal conviction is to examine the evidence admitted at

trial to determine whether such evidence, if believed, would convince the average

mind of the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio

St.3d 259 (1981), paragraph two of the syllabus, superseded by state constitutional

amendment on other grounds as stated in State v. Smith, 80 Ohio St.3d 89 (1997).

Accordingly, “[t]he relevant inquiry is whether, after viewing the evidence in a

light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found

the essential elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id. “In

deciding if the evidence was sufficient, we neither resolve evidentiary conflicts

nor assess the credibility of witnesses, as both are functions reserved for the trier

of fact.”   State v. Jones, 1st Dist. Hamilton Nos. C-120570 and C-120571,

2013-Ohio-4775, ¶ 33, citing State v. Williams, 197 Ohio App.3d 505,

                                         -5-
Case No. 11-14-06

2011-Ohio-6267, ¶ 25 (1st Dist.). See also State v. Berry, 3d Dist. Defiance No.

4-12-03, 2013-Ohio-2380, ¶ 19 (“Sufficiency of the evidence is a test of adequacy

rather than credibility or weight of the evidence.”), citing State v. Thompkins, 78

Ohio St.3d 380, 386 (1997).

       {¶11} On the other hand, in determining whether a conviction is against the

manifest weight of the evidence, a reviewing court must examine the entire record,

“‘weigh[ ] the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider[ ] the credibility of

witnesses and determine[ ] whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the [trier

of fact] clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that

the conviction must be reversed and a new trial ordered.’” Thompkins at 387,

quoting State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175 (1st Dist.1983). A reviewing

court must, however, allow the trier of fact appropriate discretion on matters

relating to the weight of the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses. State v.

DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230, 231 (1967). When applying the manifest-weight

standard, “[o]nly in exceptional cases, where the evidence ‘weighs heavily against

the conviction,’ should an appellate court overturn the trial court’s judgment.”

State v. Haller, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-11-34, 2012-Ohio-5233, ¶ 9, quoting State v.

Hunter, 131 Ohio St.3d 67, 2011-Ohio-6524, ¶ 119.

       {¶12} The criminal offense of theft is codified in R.C. 2913.02, which

provides, in relevant part: “No person, with purpose to deprive the owner of

                                         -6-
Case No. 11-14-06

property or services, shall knowingly obtain or exert control over either the

property or services * * * [w]ithout the consent of the owner or person authorized

to give consent.” R.C. 2913.02(A)(1).

      {¶13} Prior to the start of trial, the parties stipulated that Baumle used

Temple’s debit card several times to receive $1,089.50. (Apr. 10, 2014 Tr. at 6).

The parties also stipulated that State’s Exhibits One and Two—photographs of

Baumle using Temple’s debit card and Temple’s bank statement depicting the

withdrawals—should be admitted into evidence without objection. (Id.).

      {¶14} At trial, the State called Chief Rodney Miller of the Payne Police

Department (“Chief Miller”) to testify. Chief Miller testified that Temple came to

“the office and reported that someone had used her ATM card at several different

ATM machines that amounted to over $1,000.” (Apr. 10, 2014 Tr. at 10). Based

on Temple’s report, Chief Miller testified that he began his investigation by

contacting the banks that controlled the ATM machines at which the withdrawals

were made and obtained photographs of the person, later identified as Baumle,

who made the withdrawals. (Id. at 11). As a result of his investigation, he asked

Baumle to come to the Payne Police Department for an interview. (Id.). He

testified that Baumle told him that she used Temple’s debit card “at several

different machines to pay expenses” and that she did so without Temple’s

permission. (Id. at 12). Chief Miller identified State’s Exhibit Three as the

                                        -7-
Case No. 11-14-06

statement Baumle provided to him in which Baumle also stated that she took

Temple’s debit card without her permission. (Id.); (State’s Ex. 3). Chief Miller

testified that Temple was “[n]ot surprised” that the photographs depicted Baumle

as the person using her debit card. (Apr. 10, 2014 Tr. at 11). Baumle did not

cross-examine Chief Miller. (Id. at 13).

          {¶15} Next, Temple testified on behalf of the State. She testified that she

and Baumle were friends since the sixth grade and that the two became roommates

in July 2013. (Id. at 15). She testified that she did not give Baumle permission to

use her debit card and did not tell Baumle her PIN number. (Id. at 16-17, 20-21).

According to Temple, Baumle never asked Temple to borrow money from her

during the time that Baumle made the withdrawals using Temple’s debit card. (Id.

at 18).

          {¶16} On cross-examination, Temple stated that she did not tell Baumle

that she would loan her money. (Id. at 22). Temple further testified that Baumle

would accompany her when she would withdraw money using her debit card, but

she avowed that she did not share her PIN number with Baumle. (Id. at 23).

Temple also testified that she did not give Baumle her debit card to make

purchases for Temple. (Id.).

          {¶17} Thereafter, the State moved to admit State’s Exhibit Three and

rested. (Id. at 24). State’s Exhibit Three was admitted without objection. (Id.).

                                           -8-
Case No. 11-14-06

      {¶18} The defense called Baumle as a witness. Baumle testified that she

told Temple that she was not going to have enough money to pay her bills and that

she needed Temple “to float [her] some money and [Temple] said okay.” (Id. at

29). Baumle testified that she and Temple did not discuss how much money

Baumle wanted to borrow from Temple or how Baumle was going to borrow

money from Temple. (Id. at 29-30). She testified that she used Temple’s debit

card before, and the following exchange took place:

      [The State’s Counsel]:    What had you used her debit card for?

      [Baumle]:                 We would go to the store – in Payne, we

                                would go to the store and we’d get like

                                stuff for supper that night.

      [The State’s Counsel]:    The two of you together?

      [Baumle]:                 Yes.

      [The State’s Counsel]:    When did you ever use her debit card?

      [Baumle]:                 If I was told to go to, like, the gas station

                                and then get gas for my car.

      [The State’s Counsel]:    How would you get her debit card then?

      [Baumle]:                 She would give it to me.

      [The State’s Counsel]:    Okay.    Did you [sic] give you the PIN

                                number?

                                        -9-
Case No. 11-14-06

       [Baumle]:                      We knew each other’s PIN numbers.

       [The State’s Counsel]:         Okay.     And how did you know each

                                      other’s PIN numbers?

       [Baumle]:                      Because hers was her birthday and so is

                                      mine.

       [The State’s Counsel]:         Okay. So it wasn’t hard to figure out.

       [Baumle]:                      No.

(Id. at 30-31).

       {¶19} As related to the instances that Baumle took Temple’s debit card at

issue in this case, Baumle testified that she took Temple’s debit card from

Temple’s wallet without Temple’s knowledge or consent.               (Id. at 32).   She

testified that she thought she had permission to take Temple’s debit card

“[b]ecause [they] had talked about it before” and because Temple agreed to loan

her money. (Id. at 33). Baumle further testified that Temple knew that she was

going to borrow money from her, but Temple did not know that Baumle was going

to borrow money from her by taking her debit card. (Id. at 34). Baumle testified

that she used Temple’s card “[s]ix times maybe, seven to ten” prior to the times at

issue in this case. (Id. at 35-36).

       {¶20} On cross-examination, Baumle testified that she accompanied

Temple to the Payne Police Department to report the theft when Temple first

                                              -10-
Case No. 11-14-06

discovered the money missing from her savings account. (Id. at 37). However,

although Baumle testified that Temple consented to her taking her debit card

because they “had talked before,” she did not initially confess to Temple because

she “didn’t know how to, like, tell her” and because she “just didn’t have the

money to cover it.” (Id.). Baumle also testified that she did not ask for Temple’s

permission to use her debit card any of the times that she used it. (Id. at 39).

       {¶21} On redirect examination, Baumle testified that she told Temple that

she needed money on one of the instances she used her debit card and that Temple

said, “Okay.” (Id. at 41). She testified that she did not tell Temple that she was

going to use her debit card on the other days because she thought that Temple

gave her permission to do so. (Id. at 43).

       {¶22} Thereafter, the defense rested and closing arguments were presented.

(Id. at 44-48).

       {¶23} We first review the sufficiency of the evidence supporting Baumle’s

theft conviction. State v. Velez, 3d Dist. Putnam No. 12-13-10, 2014-Ohio-1788, ¶

68, citing State v. Wimmer, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-98-46, 1999 WL 355190, *1

(Mar. 26, 1999). As noted above, Baumle does not contest that she took Temple’s

debit card and made the withdrawals; rather, she argues that the evidence fails to

show that she “deprived” Temple of her debit card as the term is used in the theft

statute and that she took Temple’s debit card without her consent.

                                         -11-
Case No. 11-14-06

       {¶24} Although Baumle challenges separate elements of her theft

conviction, we address those elements together because the “deprive” element

correlates to the “consent” element of that offense in this case.

       {¶25} Based on the evidence presented, the trier of fact could have

reasonably concluded that Baumle purposely deprived Temple of her debit card

without her consent. Though, Baumle avers that, because she did not permanently

deprive Temple of her debit card, she did not commit theft and that there is

insufficient evidence that Temple did not consent to Baumle using Temple’s debit

card. Baumle’s arguments are meritless.

       {¶26} “Deprive” means to do any of the following:

       (1) Withhold property of another permanently, or for a period that

       appropriates a substantial portion of its value or use, or with purpose

       to restore it only upon payment of a reward or other consideration;

       (2) Dispose of property so as to make it unlikely that the owner

       will recover it;

       (3) Accept, use, or appropriate money, property, or services with

       purpose not to give proper consideration in return for the money,

       property, or services, and without reasonable justification or excuse

       for not giving proper consideration.

                                         -12-
Case No. 11-14-06

(Emphasis added.) R.C. 2913.01(C). That Baumle did not intend to permanently

deprive Temple of her debit card is of no consequence. See State v. Breaston, 8

Ohio App.3d 144, 145 (10th Dist.1982) (“It is no longer necessary that defendant

have an intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property to be guilty of

theft or of receiving stolen property.”); State v. Bilick, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.

71238, 1997 WL 358282, *5 (June 26, 1997) (Dyke, J., concurring), citing

Breaston and Committee Comment to House Bill 511, effective January 1, 1974

(“The definition of ‘deprive’ in this section is also broadened to include a

temporary deprivation of property resulting in some substantial loss to the

owner.”). See also State v. Jordan, 9th Dist. Summit No. 26598, 2013-Ohio-4172,

¶ 28 (“Pursuant to R.C. 2913.02(A)(1), a defendant need only have ‘purpose’ to

deprive the owner of property; he need not actually permanently withhold or

dispose of the property.”).

       {¶27} Baumle admitted that she temporarily deprived Temple of her debit

card, which resulted in a substantial loss to Temple. (Apr. 10, 2014 Tr. at 6, 32,

39); (State’s Ex. 3). Because Baumle admittedly used Temple’s debit card without

giving her proper consideration for it, we need only address whether she had a

reasonable justification or excuse for not giving Temple proper consideration for

the debit card—that is, whether Baumle was justified in taking Temple’s debit

                                      -13-
Case No. 11-14-06

card to withdraw the money because Temple consented to Baumle using her debit

card.

        {¶28} There is sufficient evidence that Baumle did not have a reasonable

justification or excuse for not giving Temple proper consideration for the debit

card because she took it without Temple’s consent. During her case-in-chief,

Baumle admitted that she took Temple’s debit card without her knowledge or

consent. (Apr. 10, 2014 Tr. at 32, 39). Specifically, Baumle testified that she took

Temple’s debit card out of her wallet and replaced it after each use and that “[s]he

didn’t know” that Baumle was doing this.        (Id. at 32-33).   Indeed, although

Baumle maintained that she discussed borrowing money from Temple with her

and that Temple agreed to “float her some money,” Baumle acknowledged that

she did not discuss with Temple how much money she was to borrow from her,

that she would borrow money from her by using her debit card, or how she would

repay her. (Id. at 29-30). Chief Miller testified that Baumle admitted to him that

she took Temple’s debit card without her permission, and that Baumle also

admitted that she took Temple’s debit card without her consent in the written

statement that she provided him. (Id. at 12); (State’s Ex. 3). Temple testified that

she did not give Baumle permission to use her debit card, tell Baumle her PIN

number, or have any discussion with Baumle about her borrowing money from

her. (Apr. 10, 2014 Tr. at 16-18, 20-23). Accordingly, there is sufficient evidence

                                       -14-
Case No. 11-14-06

that Baumle did not have a reasonable justification or excuse for not giving

Temple proper consideration for the debit card because she took Temple’s debit

card without her consent—that is, there is sufficient evidence that Baumle and

Temple did not have an agreement that Baumle was to borrow money from

Temple by using her debit card.

      {¶29} Viewing this evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, a

rational trier of fact could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that Baumle had

the purpose to deprive Temple of her debit card without her consent, and

therefore, committed theft.

      {¶30} Having concluded that Baumle’s conviction is based on sufficient

evidence, we next address Baumle’s argument that her conviction is against the

manifest weight of the evidence.      Velez, 2014-Ohio-1788, at ¶ 76.       As we

summarized above, Baumle admitted that she used Temple’s debit card without

her consent. Also, as we summarized above, there is sufficient evidence that

Baumle purposely deprived Temple of her debit card.

      {¶31} Consequently, this case ultimately came down to whether the trier of

fact believed Baumle’s story or Temple’s story.         Even when applying the

manifest-weight standard of review, an appellate court must allow the trier of fact

appropriate discretion in determining the credibility of the witnesses. DeHass, 10

Ohio St.2d at 231. Such deference is warranted because “‘the trier of fact is in the

                                       -15-
Case No. 11-14-06

best position to view the witnesses and observe their demeanor, gestures and voice

inflections, and use these observations in weighing the credibility of the proffered

testimony.’” State v. Kring, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 07AP-610, 2008-Ohio-3290,

¶ 44, quoting State v. Wright, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 03AP-470, 2004-Ohio-677,

¶ 11. That being said, after reading the testimony presented at trial, we are

persuaded that Baumle lacked credibility.

       {¶32} To begin with, Baumle changed her story while on the witness stand.

Specifically, she testified during cross-examination that Temple did not give her

permission to use her debit card for any of the times, at issue in this case, that she

used it. (Apr. 10, 2014 Tr. at 39). Similarly, Chief Miller testified that Baumle

admitted to him that the times she used Temple’s debit card, she did so without her

permission, and that she also admitted that she took Temple’s debit card without

her permission in the written statement that she provided him. (Id. at 12); (State’s

Ex. 3). However, during redirect examination, Baumle testified that she asked for

Temple’s permission one of the times that she used her debit card and that Temple

replied, “Okay.” (Apr. 10, 2014 Tr. at 41).

       {¶33} Likewise, although Baumle testified that she intended to repay

Temple when she used her debit card without her permission, Baumle’s assertions

appeared disingenuous since her offer to repay Temple was made only after

speaking with Chief Miller. Baumle testified that she did not confess to Temple or

                                        -16-
Case No. 11-14-06

Chief Miller when she first accompanied Temple to the Payne Police Department

where Temple reported to Chief Miller that there was money missing from her

account because she “didn’t know how to, like, tell her” and she “just didn’t have

the money to cover it.” (Apr. 10, 2014 Tr. at 37). Nonetheless, Baumle later

testified that she told Temple that she was going to repay her by “borrowing

against [her] car.” (Id. at 40). Although, it is unclear from Baumle’s testimony

when Baumle made this declaration to Temple, the record reflects that she made

this offer to Temple only after being confronted about using Temple’s debit card.

Baumle stated in her written statement that she provided to Chief Miller that she

offered to take a loan out against her car to repay Temple after Temple learned

that it was her using her debit card. (See State’s Ex. 3).

       {¶34} Nonetheless, Baumle argues that it was Temple’s testimony that was

“contradictory and at times disingenuous from other facts presented and at times

just lacked common sense.” (Appellant’s Brief at 4). Specifically, Baumle argues

that Temple’s testimony that she was “shocked and surprised” to learn that it was

Baumle that had used her debit card was contradicted by Chief Miller’s testimony

that Temple was “not surprised” to learn that it was Baumle who used her debit

card. Likewise, Baumle argues that Temple was seeking to “exact revenge” on

her because she caused Temple’s boyfriend to break up with her. However,

                                         -17-
Case No. 11-14-06

Baumle’s arguments are underwhelming compared to the evidence that she

committed theft.

        {¶35} Rather, Temple was consistent with her story. Temple testified that

she never allowed Baumle to use her debit card, that she did not tell Baumle her

PIN number, that she did not discuss with Baumle that Baumle needed to borrow

money from her, and that she did not agree to loan money to Baumle. (Apr. 10,

2014 Tr. at 17-18). When asked if she was motivated to testify against Baumle

because Baumle caused her boyfriend to break up with her, Temple responded, “I

don’t think that has anything to do [sic] why we are here today.” (Id. at 20). In

addition, Temple testified that Baumle asked her to change her story prior to the

start of trial. (Id.).

        {¶36} Baumle also suggests that there was a reasonable inference that

Temple gave Baumle at least some sort of consent to use her debit card because

Baumle knew her PIN number. However, there is no evidence that Temple told

Baumle her PIN number. Indeed, Baumle testified that, similar to her own PIN

number being based on her birthday, Temple’s PIN number was based on

Temple’s birthday and that it was not hard for her to figure out. (See id. at 31).

        {¶37} After weighing the evidence and evaluating the credibility of the

witnesses, with appropriate deference to the trier of fact’s credibility

determination, we cannot conclude that the trier of fact clearly lost its way and

                                        -18-
Case No. 11-14-06

created a manifest injustice. As such, we are not persuaded that Baumle’s theft

conviction must be reversed and a new trial ordered.

       {¶38} For these reasons, Baumle’s first and second assignments of error are

overruled.

                            Assignment of Error No. III

       The trial court erred in finding the defendant guilty of felony
       theft when no evidence was presented as to the value of the
       property stolen.

       {¶39} In her third assignment of error, Baumle argues that the debit card at

issue in this case does not meet the definition of a credit card under R.C. 2913.71

or R.C. 2913.01(U). As such, she avers that, because no evidence was offered as

to the debit card’s value, she could not be convicted of a fifth-degree felony.

       {¶40} Baumle’s argument is misguided. R.C. 2913.05(B)(2) provides, in

relevant part: “[I]f the property stolen is any of the property listed in section

2913.71 of the Revised Code, a violation of this section is theft, a felony of the

fifth degree.” R.C. 2913.71 provides:

       Regardless of the value of the property involved and regardless of

       whether the offender previously has been convicted of a theft

       offense, a violation of section 2913.02 or 2913.51 of the Revised

       Code is a felony of the fifth degree if the property involved is * * *

       [a] credit card[.]

                                        -19-
Case No. 11-14-06

R.C. 2913.71(A).

       {¶41} The statutory definition of a “credit card” includes debit cards. R.C.

2913.01(U) defines “credit card” as including:        a card, code, device, or other

means of access to a customer’s account for the purpose of obtaining money,

property, labor, or services on credit, or for initiating an electronic fund transfer at

a point-of-sale terminal, an automated teller machine, or a cash dispensing

machine.

(Emphasis added.)

       {¶42} Baumle used Temple’s debit card to initiate an electronic fund

transfer from Temple’s account at an ATM or a cash dispensing machine. (See

Apr. 10, 2014 Tr. at 6, 32); (State’s Exs. 1, 2). Thus, Temple’s debit card falls

within the definition of “credit card” under R.C. 2913.01(U). See State v. Smiley,

8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 92572, 2010-Ohio-656, ¶ 34-35 (concluding that a debit

card is within the definition of “credit card” under R.C. 2913.01(U)); State v.

Patton, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 25756, 2014-Ohio-2099, ¶ 9, fn. 1 (noting that

the statutory definition “can include a debit card”); State v. Jennings, 11th Dist.

Lake No. 2001-L-141, 2002-Ohio-7266, ¶ 33 (concluding that a money card is

within the definition of “credit card” under R.C. 2913.01(U) because “[m]oney

cards are a ‘means of access to a customer’s account’ for the purpose of ‘initiating

an electronic fund transfer at a point-of-sale terminal, an automated teller machine,

                                         -20-
Case No. 11-14-06

or a cash dispensing machine’”). Therefore, because the debit card at issue in this

case is included in the statutory definition of a “credit card” under R.C.

2913.01(U), it is included in the meaning of “credit card” in R.C. 2913.71. As

such, the trial court did not err in convicting Baumle of a fifth-degree felony.

       {¶43} Baumle’s third assignment of error is overruled.

       {¶44} Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant herein in the

particulars assigned and argued, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

                                                                 Judgment Affirmed

ROGERS, P.J. and, WILLAMOWSI, J., concur.

/jlr

                                         -21-