Court Opinion

ID: 4435991
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-09-05 14:08:34.671826+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:55:20.037428
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Newton, 2019-Ohio-3566.]

                              COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO

                             EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA

STATE OF OHIO,                                     :

                 Plaintiff-Appellee,               :
                                                              No. 107195
                 v.                                :

ERIC S. NEWTON, JR.,                               :

                 Defendant-Appellant.              :

                               JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION

                 JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED
                 RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: September 5, 2019

         Criminal Appeal from the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
                            Case No. CR-16-605078-B

                                             Appearances:

                 Michael C. O’Malley, Cuyahoga County Prosecuting
                 Attorney, and Ryan J. Bokoch, Assistant Prosecuting
                 Attorney, for appellee.

                 Mark A. Stanton, Cuyahoga County Public Defender, and
                 Noelle A. Powell, Assistant Public Defender, for appellant.

RAYMOND C. HEADEN, J.:

                   Defendant-appellant Eric Newton, Jr. (“Newton”) appeals his

convictions and sentence for multiple crimes related to a series of criminal incidents.

For the reasons that follow, we affirm.
Substantive History

               This case stems from a series of 17 incidents of breaking and entering

at   businesses    across   Cleveland’s    west    side   that   occurred     between

September 17, 2015, and October 28, 2015.1 Most of the incidents involved the

thieves entering the businesses by using sledgehammers to make holes in the walls

so as to not set off door alarms. The thieves stole merchandise, safes, cash registers,

and ATMs from the businesses. They wore Halloween masks, and some of their

activity was captured on security cameras, but authorities were unable to determine

their identities from the footage.

October 25 Stop

               On October 25, 2015, at around 2:47 a.m., Officer Justin Setty

(“Officer Setty”) and his partner responded to an open 911 call from a cellphone in

the area around 3351 West 67th Place. Driving northbound on West 67th, Officer

Setty observed a white SUV parked on an access road in front of a gate, facing

outward towards the street. The vehicle’s occupants got out, opened the hood, and

began to push on the vehicle’s tires. The officers drove up to the vehicle and asked

the occupants if they were okay. The individuals responded that their tire light had

come on and they were checking on that but were otherwise fine, so the officers kept

driving.

      1 Newton was indicted on unrelated charges in a separate case, Cuyahoga C.P. No.
CR-17-620243-A. His direct appeal in that case, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 107200, is a
companion case to this case. Both cases challenge the denial of a motion to suppress
following an October 3, 2017 hearing.
               The officers continued to check the surrounding area to identify

anything that would have resulted in a 911 call before turning around and driving

back down West 67th. When they reached the driveway where the white SUV had

been parked, they observed that vehicle pull out in front of them and begin to drive

southbound on West 67th. In light of the open 911 call and the individuals’ behavior

— specifically, checking on a tire that appeared fully inflated, and opening the hood

of a car that allegedly had tire trouble — the officers activated their overhead lights

and pulled the vehicle over. Officer Setty approached the driver’s side of the vehicle,

and his partner approached the passenger’s side of the vehicle. Officer Setty

observed that one passenger was crouched in the rear cargo area of the SUV, was

dripping wet, was not wearing shoes, and his socks appeared to be soiled. Upon

seeing this passenger, the officers proceeded to get verbal confirmation from each

occupant of the vehicle that everyone was okay and that no one was in the vehicle

against their will. The officers also realized that a cell phone inside the vehicle was

tuned to the radio channel for the Cleveland Police Department’s Second District.

While speaking to the occupants of the vehicle, officers also observed two masks, a

gorilla mask, and a “Scream” mask.

               The officers proceeded to identify everyone in the vehicle and confirm

that none of the individuals had any outstanding warrants. Officer Setty testified

that he was “pretty certain” that these individuals were involved in the ongoing

string of break-ins in the Second District, but they had no probable cause to prolong
the stop or arrest anyone in the car. Officer Setty documented the results of the stop

in an informational memo to distribute to the police department.

               Later that evening, Rose’s Discount Store, located approximately half

a block down the road from where this stop occurred, was broken into through the

rear wall of the building. When the officers arrived on the scene at Rose’s, they

observed a stolen U-Haul parked and running at the rear of the store.             The

individuals in the white SUV — Anthony Palmentera (“Palmentera”), Jose Rivera,

Jr. (“Jose”), Jose Rivera, Sr., and Newton — became suspects in that break-in.

October 28 Stop

               On October 28, 2015, at around 1:12 a.m., Officer David Gallagher

(“Officer Gallagher”) and his partner, Officer Ryan Miranda (“Officer Miranda”)

responded to an alarm at the rear entrance to Dollar Mart located on 3410 Clark

Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. Upon arriving at the rear of the building, Officer

Gallagher observed a white Ford Explorer near the rear of the store. Officer

Gallagher observed the vehicle start driving, stop driving, and then start driving

again. This unusual driving, together with the vehicle’s location near the rear of the

building where an alarm had recently gone off around 1 a.m., was suspicious to the

officers, so they stopped the vehicle.

               Officer Gallagher approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and

began speaking with Amanda Rivera (“Amanda”), the driver. He asked her to roll

the rear windows down and subsequently observed three males — Palmentera, Jose,

and Newton — in the backseat. Upon identifying these three passengers, the officers
realized that these were the individuals who had been pulled over several days

earlier and were suspects in the neighborhood break-ins. The officers then arrested

all four individuals. The officers searched Jose and discovered that he was wearing

a harness and straps underneath his clothing. According to Officer Gallagher, both

Jose and Newton were extremely wet. The officers also observed gloves, masks, and

tools in the backseat of the vehicle.

               During the arrests, the officers seized two cell phones from the car.

One phone belonged to Amanda, and the second phone belonged to Newton. Police

subsequently obtained a warrant to search the contents of the phones to obtain

evidence related to the break-ins. In the affidavit supporting the warrant, Cleveland

Police Detective John Lally (“Detective Lally”) stated that the phones were recovered

from the white Ford Explorer and that this vehicle had been used in at least two

breaking and enterings. The affidavit also described one of the cell phones as

belonging to Amanda and the other cell phone as, erroneously, belonging to Jose.

               Following the arrests, officers went to Dollar Mart and investigated

the scene. They discovered tools and rope leading to the roof of the store. The

officers contacted the Cleveland Fire Department to go up to the roof and determine

if that was how the suspects had entered, or attempted to enter, the store. This

investigation revealed that the suspects had entered the store through the roof.

Other Incidents

               Other incidents were described by witness testimony at trial. The

earliest incident described at trial was a breaking and entering at Ziggy’s on
September 17, 2015, where the group stole lottery tickets and cash. On September

30, 2015, the group attempted to break in to a Family Dollar store but broke a hole

through the rear wall of Xtreme Clothing, a neighboring business in the same

shopping plaza. They proceeded to steal merchandise, including clothing, shoes,

wallets, and watches, along with two safes, a television, credit cards, and cash from

the store.

               Early in the morning on October 2, 2015, officers responded to a call

detailing a break-in in progress at Hanini Subs and a U-Haul truck parked outside

the store. The responding officers observed a U-Haul truck swerve and stop before

its occupants exited the truck and fled. The officers proceeded to investigate the

truck and saw that it contained an ATM, a rack of lottery tickets, and duffel bags full

of cigarettes and baby formula. An investigation revealed that the suspects had

broken into Hanini Subs by smashing a hole through the rear cinder block wall of

the building. The investigation also revealed that the U-Haul was stolen.

               On October 17, 2015, suspects broke into a Little Caesars pizza and

Subway through the rear cinder block wall of both businesses. The suspects broke

into the safe in each business and stole cash from the safes and cash registers.

               On October 22, 2015, a Georgio’s Pizza was broken into. The suspects

broke into the building by smashing through a cinder block wall and proceeded to

smash part of the counter in order to access the safe. Palmentera testified that they

took a safe from Georgio’s Pizza and that the safe contained a black automatic gun

with a wood grip. He explained that he did not open the safe, but Newton and Jose
told him about its contents. In addition, the responding officer testified that the

owner of Georgio’s informed him that a black 9 mm Smith and Wesson

semiautomatic pistol had been taken from the safe.

               All of these crimes were committed by some combination of Newton,

Jose, Jose Rivera, Sr., Amanda, and Palmentera. Jose testified that sometimes the

targeted businesses were identified by members of the group and the crimes were

planned in advance, and other incidents were unplanned. He also testified that the

individuals would take turns making holes, entering businesses to take

merchandise, acting as a lookout, and driving.

Procedural History

               On April 14, 2016, the Cuyahoga County Grand Jury issued a 50-

count indictment against Palmentera, Newton, Amanda, and Jose. Newton was

charged in 25 of the 50 counts, including one count of engaging in a pattern of

corrupt activity with a furthermore clause, one count of possessing criminal tools,

and multiple counts of theft, grand theft, breaking and entering, vandalism,

safecracking, and receiving stolen property.

               On January 6, 2017, Newton filed a motion to sever his trial from that

of Jose and Amanda because both had made videotaped statements against Newton.

On January 12, 2017, Newton filed a pro se motion to dismiss based on an alleged

violation of his speedy trial rights.

               On January 31, 2017, the state placed a plea offer on the record for all

defendants. With respect to Newton, the state would accept a guilty plea to an
amended count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, two counts of grand

theft, six counts of breaking and entering, and one count of possessing criminal

tools. Newton rejected this offer. All three of his codefendants accepted plea deals.

Jose was charged in 49 of the 50 counts. He pleaded guilty to 17 counts, testified

against Newton at trial, and was sentenced to five years in prison. Palmentera was

charged in 38 of the 50 counts. He pleaded guilty to nine counts, testified against

Newton at trial, and was sentenced to four years. Amanda was charged in 11 of the

50 counts. She pleaded guilty to four counts and was sentenced to one year of

community control on each count.

               Newton filed a grievance against his counsel. In response, his counsel

filed a motion to withdraw on March 30, 2017. On April 4, 2017, the court granted

the motion to withdraw and appointed new counsel for Newton. On July 7, 2017,

the trial court appointed an additional attorney to represent Newton as second chair.

               On August 15, 2017, the state informed Newton and the court that its

original plea offer was still in place, and Newton again rejected the offer.

               On September 17, 2017, Newton filed a motion to suppress. The state

responded to the motion to suppress on October 3, 2017, and a hearing on the

motion was held that day. The state called Officer Gallagher, Officer Setty, and

Detective Lally as witnesses. Following the hearing, the court denied the motion to

suppress.

               A jury trial began on October 6, 2017. The state called 24 witnesses,

including various police officers and detectives involved with the case, numerous
victims, Palmentera, and Jose. On October 16, 2017, the state rested its case. On

October 17, 2017, the state made several amendments to the indictment. The

“furthermore” clause was deleted from Count 10, reducing that theft offense from a

felony of the third degree to a felony of the fourth degree. Defense counsel made an

oral Crim.R. 29 motion, and the court denied this motion.

               On October 18, 2017, the jury returned guilty verdicts on 23 of the 25

counts and not guilty verdicts on one count of theft and one count of receiving stolen

property. Newton was referred for a presentence investigation report (“PSI”) and

psychiatric evaluation.

               A sentencing hearing was held on April 20, 2018.            The court

sentenced Newton to a total of 22 years. The court also ordered restitution in the

following amounts: $3,000 to victim Georgio’s; $3,050 to victim U-Haul; $18,000

to victim Expo Wireless; $500 to Dollar Mart; and $5,000 to Extreme Clothing. The

court stated that Newton and his codefendants were jointly and severally liable for

the restitution amounts. The court also sentenced Newton to 34 years for unrelated

crimes in case Cuyahoga C.P. No. CR-17-620243-A. The court ordered that the

sentences in both cases be served consecutively, for an aggregate sentence of 56

years.

               Newton appealed, presenting the following assignments of error for

our review:

         I.   The trial court erred when it overruled Eric Newton’s Motion to
              Suppress when, one, the initial stop was improper and, two, the
             warrant affidavit used to search the contents of Mr. Newton’s cell
             phone contained false information.
      II.    Newton received ineffective assistance of counsel when defense
             counsel failed to cite to the bodycam footage showing Newton’s
             ownership of the phone in his Franks challenge.

      III.   There was insufficient evidence to convict Newton of engaging in
             [a] pattern of corrupt activity as a felony in the first degree as
             there was insufficient evidence to prove count 25 — grand theft
             of a firearm.

      IV.    Newton received ineffective assistance of counsel when defense
             counsel failed to move for dismissal pursuant to Rule 29 on
             Count 1, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, when the state
             failed to prove operability of the weapon referenced in Count 25,
             the predicate count supporting Count 1.

      V.     The jury’s verdicts finding Mr. Newton guilty are not supported
             by the manifest weight of the evidence and his convictions violate
             his rights to fair trial and due process as protected by the
             constitutions of the United States and the State of Ohio.

      VI.    The trial court abused its discretion by ordering restitution
             without considering Newton’s present and future ability to pay.

      VII.   Newton received ineffective assistance of counsel when counsel
             failed to object to the restitution order on the grounds that the
             trial court failed to make findings about Newton’s present and
             future ability to pay.

      VIII. The trial court imposed a sentence contrary to law and violated
            Eric Newton’s Fourteenth Amendment right to due process and
            Sixth Amendment right to trial by jury when it punished Newton
            for exercising his right to trial.

Law and Analysis

              Because some of Newton’s assignments of error deal with similar

issues, we will address them out of order for ease of discussion.
I. Motion to Suppress

               In Newton’s first assignment of error, he argues that the trial court

erred when it overruled his motion to suppress because the initial stop was improper

and the warrant affidavit used to search his cell phone contained false information.

               We review a trial court’s decision on a suppression motion using a

mixed standard of review. State v. Riedel, 2017-Ohio-8865, 100 N.E.3d 1155, ¶ 30

(8th Dist.). Because the trial court assumes the role of trier of fact and is in the best

position to resolve factual questions and evaluate witness credibility, we must accept

the trial court’s findings of fact if they are supported by competent, credible

evidence. Id., citing State v. Curry, 95 Ohio App. 3d 93, 96, 641 N.E.2d 1172 (8th

Dist.1994), and State v. Burnside, 100 Ohio St. 3d 152, 2003-Ohio-5372, 797
N.E.2d 71, ¶ 8. The trial court’s application of the law to its factual findings is

reviewed de novo. Id., citing State v. Belton, 149 Ohio St. 3d 165, 2016-Ohio-1581,

74 N.E.3d 319, ¶ 100.

               The Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States

Constitution prohibit warrantless searches and seizures. Warrantless searches are

per se unreasonable unless an exception applies. Katz v. United States, 389 U.S.
347, 357, 88 S. Ct. 507, 19 L. Ed. 2d 576 (1967).           Evidence obtained from an

unreasonable search or seizure must be suppressed. Mapp v. Ohio, 367 U.S. 643,

651, 81 S. Ct. 1684, 6 L. Ed. 2d 1081 (1961). Here, Newton argues that the evidence

obtained from his cell phone should be suppressed because neither the initial stop
nor the warrant to search the phone’s contents were reasonable under the Fourth

Amendment.

A. Initial Stop

               Newton argues that the initial stop on October 28, 2015, was

unreasonable because it cannot be justified as a traffic stop. An officer’s observation

of any traffic law violation constitutes sufficient grounds to stop the vehicle. State

v. Mays, 119 Ohio St. 3d 406, 2008-Ohio-4539, 894 N.E.2d 1204, ¶ 22, citing Dayton

v. Erickson, 76 Ohio St. 3d 3, 665 N.E.2d 1091 (1996). Here, although the stop was

repeatedly referred to as a traffic stop, Officer Gallagher did not cite any traffic

violation as the grounds for the stop. We agree with Newton that the stop cannot be

supported by any alleged traffic violation; however, the stop was not unreasonable.

               One well-known exception to the Fourth Amendment’s warrant

requirement is an investigative stop. In Terry v. Ohio, the United States Supreme

Court held that an officer may stop an individual when the officer has a reasonable

suspicion, supported by specific and articulable facts and rational inferences from

those facts, that the individual is engaged in criminal activity. Terry v. Ohio, 392
U.S. 1, 88 S. Ct. 1868, 20 L. Ed. 2d 889 (1968). “Reasonable suspicion [justifying] a

‘Terry stop’ requires something more than an ‘inchoate and unparticularized

suspicion or “hunch.”’” Cleveland v. Maxwell, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 104964,

2017-Ohio-4442, ¶ 19, quoting Terry at 27. Courts reviewing whether an officer had

a reasonable articulable suspicion must consider the totality of the circumstances

“‘as viewed through the eyes of the reasonable and prudent police officer on the
scene who must react to events as they unfold.’” Id., quoting State v. Andrews, 57
Ohio St. 3d 86, 87-88, 565 N.E.2d 1271 (1991).

               Here, police in Cleveland’s Second District were aware that the area

had been impacted by a series of break-ins for over a month at the time of the stop

in this case. Officer Gallagher and Officer Miranda were responding to an alarm at

the rear entry of a business at approximately 1 a.m. Upon approaching the area of

the building where the alarm had gone off, the officers observed a white SUV start

to drive away, stop, and then proceed to drive away from the building. Officer

Gallagher testified that this vehicle was the only one in the area running at the time,

and it seemed “very suspicious” that it was trying to leave the scene of where the

alarm had gone off. The individuals were in the immediate area of an alarm that

had recently been triggered. It was around 1 a.m., in an industrial area, and no one

else was around. The individuals appeared to be trying to leave the area. All of this

is sufficient to establish that the officers had a reasonable suspicion, supported by

specific and articulable facts, that the individuals in the white SUV were engaged in

criminal activity, thereby justifying the Terry stop.

               Newton correctly points out that the officers’ observations after they

initiated the stop — specifically, the Texas license plates on the vehicle and the

identities of the individuals — cannot serve to justify the stop. In light of the

reasonable articulable suspicion described above, though, these observations are

not necessary to justify the investigative stop.
B. Warrant Affidavit

               Newton also argues that the evidence from his cell phone should have

been suppressed because the warrant affidavit that permitted police to access the

phone’s contents contained a false statement. The false statement challenged by

Newton is the description of one of the cell phones as belonging to Jose, rather than

Newton.

               To suppress evidence obtained with a search warrant, it is necessary

to review the affidavit supporting the warrant. Search warrant affidavits enjoy a

presumption of validity. State v. Sheron, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 98837, 2013-Ohio-

1989, ¶ 29. Where a warrant is based on false material in the affidavit that is

necessary to establish probable cause, the fruits of the search warrant should be

suppressed. Franks v. Delaware, 438 U.S. 154, 155, 98 S. Ct. 2674, 57 L. Ed. 2d 667

(1978). A challenge to the factual veracity of a warrant affidavit requires allegations

of deliberate falsehood or reckless disregard for the truth. State v. Roberts, 62 Ohio

St.2d 170, 178, 405 N.E.2d 247 (1980), citing Franks at 171. Even if a defendant

makes a preliminary showing of such a false statement, a hearing is not required

unless, without the allegedly false statements, the affidavit is unable to support a

finding of probable cause. Roberts, citing Franks.

               Newton asserts that the affidavit contains a false statement made

either intentionally or with a reckless disregard for the truth because it was known

to the arresting officers, and captured on bodycam footage, that one of the phones

seized belonged to Newton, and not to Jose, as alleged in the affidavit. Sergeant
Lally, the affiant, was not present when the individuals were arrested. While the

statement as to the phone’s ownership is demonstrably false, Newton has not

pointed to anything that would indicate that Sergeant Lally made the false statement

intentionally or with a reckless disregard for the truth. To the contrary, Sergeant

Lally testified that law enforcement typically determines ownership of the phone

based on the contents of the phone obtained through the warrant itself. Because law

enforcement is not permitted to search a phone’s contents without a warrant to

determine whose phone it is, any references to ownership of a phone in a search

warrant are inherently speculative or preliminary.

               Further, even if the false statement was made intentionally or with a

reckless disregard for the truth, the remainder of the affidavit established sufficient

probable cause to search the contents of the phone. The affidavit stated that the

affiant believed that both cell phones contained evidence of burglary crimes. The

affiant based this statement on the fact that the phones were seized during a search

of the vehicle that police believed was used by the suspects in these burglary crimes

following the arrest of those suspects: namely, Amanda, Jose, Anthony Palmentera,

and Eric Newton. Because of the circumstances in which the phones were obtained,

probable cause existed to search the phones, regardless of which of the

aforementioned individuals owned the phones. Therefore, incorrectly identifying

one of the phones as belonging to Jose rather than Newton does not negate the

probable cause supporting the search warrant.
               For these reasons, the trial court’s decision to deny Newton’s motion

to suppress was proper. The first assignment of error is overruled.

II. Sufficiency of the Evidence

               In Newton’s third assignment of error, he argues that there was

insufficient evidence to sustain a conviction for engaging in a pattern of corrupt

activity, a first-degree felony.

               A sufficiency challenge requires a court to determine whether the

state has met its burden of production at trial and to consider not the credibility of

the evidence but whether, if credible, the evidence presented would support a

conviction. State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St. 3d 380, 387, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997).

The 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. State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St. 3d 259,

273, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991), citing Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S. Ct.
2781, 61 L. Ed. 2d 560 (1979).

               Newton was charged with one count of engaging in a pattern of

corrupt activity, in violation of R.C. 2923.32(A)(1), which provides that “[n]o person

employed by, or associated with, any enterprise shall conduct or participate in,

directly or indirectly, the affairs of the enterprise through a pattern of corrupt

activity or the collection of an unlawful debt.” “Pattern of corrupt activity” is defined

as “two or more incidents of corrupt activity, whether or not there has been a prior

conviction, that are related to the affairs of the same enterprise, are not isolated, and
are not so closely related to each other and connected in time and place that they

constitute a single event.” This count also contained a furthermore specification:

      Furthermore, pursuant to Section 2923.32(B)(1), at least one of the
      incidents of corrupt activity, as defined in Section 2923.31(I)(2)(a) or
      (I)(2)(c) is a felony of the third degree or higher (THEFT, COUNTS 10
      AND 25), contrary to and in violation of Section 2923.32(A)(1) of the
      Ohio Revised Code, and thereby, this [count] constitutes a Felony of the
      First degree * * *.

Newton argues that because none of the incidents of corrupt activity were felonies

of the third degree or higher, he could not have been convicted of this count as

charged. At the end of trial, just prior to Newton’s Crim.R. 29 motion, the state

amended Count 10 of the indictment to delete the furthermore clause, thereby

amending the offense from a felony of the third degree to a felony of the fourth

degree. Therefore, the furthermore clause attached to engaging in a pattern of

corrupt activity could only have been based on Count 25. Count 25 charged Jose

with grand theft, a felony of the third degree, in violation of R.C. 2913.02(A)(1) and

alleged that he:

      did with purpose to deprive the owner, Georgio’s Pizza/Jorge Rochet,
      of 9mm Smith and Wesson or services, knowingly obtain or exert
      control over either the property or services without the consent of the
      owner or person authorized to give consent and the property stolen is
      a firearm or dangerous ordnance.

This count was elevated to a felony of the third degree because the property alleged

to have been stolen was a firearm or dangerous ordnance, pursuant to

R.C. 2913.02(B)(4). Pursuant to R.C. 2923.11, a “firearm” means

      Any deadly weapon capable of expelling or propelling one or more
      projectiles by the action of an explosive or combustible propellant.
      “Firearm” includes an unloaded firearm, and any firearm that is
      inoperable but that can readily be rendered operable.

      (2) When determining whether a firearm is capable of expelling or
      propelling one or more projectiles by the action of an explosive or
      combustible propellant, the trier of fact may rely upon circumstantial
      evidence, including, but not limited to, the representations and actions
      of the individual exercising control over the firearm.

               Jose was the only defendant charged in Count 25, and this count was

dismissed as part of his plea agreement with the state of Ohio. According to Newton,

in order for the jury to find him guilty of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity as

charged, it was required to find beyond a reasonable doubt that Jose was guilty of

grand theft of an operable firearm as indicted in Count 25. It could not have done

so, according to Newton, where the state presented no evidence of the operability of

the firearm.

               The state points out that the victim and two codefendants testified

that a handgun was stolen during the breaking and entering at Georgio’s Pizza.

Further, the victim testified that the gun was kept in a safe under the counter, and

Jose testified that he was concerned about letting Palmentera have access to the gun

for safety reasons and Newton never took possession of the gun because he did not

handle guns. The foregoing testimony is consistent with the notion that the gun was

kept in the store for protection purposes and therefore, served as circumstantial

evidence to establish that the gun was operable. Circumstantial evidence is equally

probative as direct evidence. State v. Nicely, 39 Ohio St. 3d 147, 151, 529 N.E.2d
1236 (1988), citing State v. Griffin, 13 Ohio App. 3d 376, 469 N.E.2d 1329 (1st
Dist.1979). Therefore, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the state,

there was sufficient evidence supporting Newton’s conviction for engaging in a

pattern of corrupt activity. His third assignment of error is overruled.

III. Manifest Weight of the Evidence

               In Newton’s fifth assignment of error, he argues that his convictions

are against the manifest weight of the evidence because there is no physical evidence

linking him to these crimes, his identity is never seen on any surveillance footage,

and he was not found with any stolen goods. Newton argues that the only evidence

against him is his presence in the vehicle with his codefendants, and his

codefendants’ subsequent testimony against him at trial as part of their respective

plea deals.

               Unlike a challenge to the sufficiency of evidence, a manifest weight

challenge attacks the quality of the evidence and questions whether the state met its

burden of persuasion at trial. State v. Hill, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99819, 2014-

Ohio-387, ¶ 25, citing State v. Bowden, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 92266, 2009-Ohio-

3598, ¶ 13. When reviewing a manifest weight challenge, a court reviews the entire

record, weighing all evidence and reasonable inferences and considering the

credibility of the witnesses, to determine whether the trier of fact clearly lost its way

and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be

reversed. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St. 3d at 387, 678 N.E.2d 541.

               After a thorough review of the record, we conclude that Newton’s

convictions are not against the manifest weight of the evidence.                Newton
acknowledges his presence in the vehicle with his codefendants on October 28, 2015,

when they were arrested. He ignores, however, his earlier presence with Jose and

Palmentera at two of the crime scenes in this case. Further, while this court is

mindful of the considerable incentive for his codefendants’ to testify against him at

trial, we cannot summarily discount their testimony in light of this incentive. While

Newton’s argument implicitly attacks the credibility of his codefendants’ testimony

against him by pointing out they received significant consideration in exchange for

their testimony, we find nothing in the record that causes us to question their

credibility to such a degree as to completely, or even significantly, negate the value

of their testimony.

              Newton argues that there is no physical evidence tying him to the

crimes beyond his presence in the SUV. Physical evidence is not required to

establish a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.          Ohio courts have

consistently held that a defendant may be convicted solely on the basis of

circumstantial evidence. Nicely, 39 Ohio St. 3d at 151, 529 N.E.2d 1236, citing State

v. Kulig, 37 Ohio St. 3d 157, 309 N.E.2d 897 (1974); State v. Hankerson, 70 Ohio

St.2d 87, 434 N.E.2d 1362 (1982), cert. denied, Hankerson v. Ohio, 459 U.S. 870,

103 S. Ct. 155, 74 L. Ed. 2d 130 (1982). Circumstantial evidence is equally probative

as direct evidence. Id., citing Griffin, 13 Ohio App. 3d 376, 469 N.E.2d 1329. Despite

Newton’s assertions, the absence of any particular piece of physical evidence in this

case does not undermine Newton’s conviction. We note that although Newton

argues that he was not found with any stolen property, the police inventory of the
vehicle in which Newton was found prior to his arrest reflects multiple references to

stolen goods. It also contains references to the tools used to conduct these break-

ins, many of which were described at length in witness testimony at trial. Further,

the state presented significant witness testimony regarding Newton’s participation

in the crimes with which he was charged. Upon considering the totality of the

evidence in this case, together with reasonable inferences therefrom, we cannot

conclude that the trier of fact lost its way. Newton’s convictions are not against the

manifest weight of the evidence. Therefore, Newton’s fifth assignment of error is

overruled.

IV. Restitution

               In Newton’s sixth assignment of error, he argues that the trial court

abused its discretion by ordering restitution without considering Newton’s present

and future ability to pay.

               R.C. 2929.18(A)(1) provides, in relevant part, that the court imposing

a felony sentence may sentence the offender to any financial sanction, including:

      Restitution by the offender to the victim of the offender’s crime or any
      survivor of the victim, in an amount based on the victim’s economic
      loss. If the court imposes restitution, the court shall order that the
      restitution be made to the victim in open court, to the adult probation
      department that serves the county on behalf of the victim, to the clerk
      of courts, or to another agency designated by the court. If the court
      imposes restitution, at sentencing, the court shall determine the
      amount of restitution to be made by the offender. If the court imposes
      restitution, the court may base the amount of restitution it orders on an
      amount recommended by the victim, the offender, a presentence
      investigation report, estimates or receipts indicating the cost of
      repairing or replacing property, and other information, provided that
      the amount the court orders as restitution shall not exceed the amount
      of economic loss suffered by the victim as a direct and proximate result
      of the commission of the offense. If the court decides to impose
      restitution, the court shall hold a hearing on restitution if the offender,
      victim, or survivor disputes the amount.

Further, R.C. 2929.19(B)(5) ““‘imposes a duty upon the trial court ‘to consider the

offender’s present or future ability to pay’ before imposing any financial sanctions

under R.C. 2929.18.’”” State v. Nitsche, 2016-Ohio-3170, 66 N.E.3d 135, ¶ 81 (8th

Dist.), quoting State v. Aniton, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 102440, 2015-Ohio-4080,

¶ 19, quoting State v. Tate, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 25386, 2013-Ohio-5167, ¶ 52.

A sentencing court is not required to “explicitly state in its judgment entry that it

considered a defendant’s ability to pay a financial sanction.” State v. Lewis, 8th Dist.

Cuyahoga No. 90413, 2008-Ohio-4101, ¶ 12. An appellate court is to “look to the

totality of the record” to see if the court considered a defendant’s ability to pay, and

a trial court has satisfied this requirement when the record shows that the court

considered a PSI that provides pertinent financial information regarding the

offender’s ability to pay restitution. Id., citing State v. Smith, 4th Dist. Ross No.

06CA2893, 2007-Ohio-1884, ¶ 42.

               Here, the court stated at sentencing that it had considered the PSI and

the mitigation of penalty report, as well as all of the information it received at the

sentencing hearing. This is sufficient to show that the court complied with the

statutory requirements of R.C. 2929.18. Newton’s sixth assignment of error is

overruled.
V. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

              In Newton’s second, fourth, and seventh assignments of error, he

argues that he received ineffective assistance of counsel. To establish ineffective

assistance of counsel, a defendant must demonstrate that (1) counsel’s performance

at trial was seriously flawed and deficient and fell below an objective standard of

reasonableness, and (2) there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s

unprofessional errors, the result of the trial would have been different. Strickland

v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984). A reasonable

probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome. Id.

at 687-688.

A. Franks Challenge

              Newton first argues that his counsel was ineffective for failing to

present evidence supporting his Franks challenge to the warrant affidavit.

Specifically, Newton argues that his counsel was deficient for not introducing the

bodycam evidence corroborating his assertion that law enforcement knew that one

of the seized cell phones belonged to Newton. We disagree.

              Newton argues that the Franks challenge ultimately failed because

the trial court pointed out that there was no argument from counsel that there was

anything false in the affidavit. A review of the record from the suppression hearing,

however, shows that defense counsel argued that the affidavit was based on the false

statement that one of the phones was owned by Jose. Although there was some

discussion on the record as to the different descriptions present in the search
warrant and supporting affidavit, these discrepancies do not change defense

counsel’s argument in his motion to suppress.

              Further, Newton mischaracterizes the trial court’s reasons for

denying the motion to suppress. Pursuant to the foregoing discussion related to the

motion to suppress, individual ownership of the cell phone was not necessary to

establish probable cause. Therefore, counsel’s failure to use the bodycam evidence

to support his theory that law enforcement knew that one of the phones belonged to

Newton was not deficient because it would not have changed the outcome of the

motion to suppress. Newton’s second assignment of error is overruled.

B. Crim.R. 29 Dismissal

              Newton next argues that his counsel was ineffective for failing to

move for dismissal on Count 1, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, when the

state failed to present sufficient evidence that the firearm was operable. A review of

the record shows that defense counsel did in fact make a Crim.R. 29 motion with

respect to engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. This motion immediately

followed a thorough discussion of the furthermore clause contained in Count 1.

Therefore, Newton is effectively arguing that his counsel’s failure to reiterate an

unsuccessful argument that the court had dismissed minutes earlier would have

resulted in a different result — namely, a dismissal of Count 1. We disagree that

constitutes deficient performance. Further, in light of the foregoing analysis and our

conclusion that the state presented sufficient evidence to support Newton’s

conviction on Count 1, any more specific argument supporting counsel’s failure to
repeat a specific argument in support of his motion would not have resulted in a

different outcome for Newton. His fourth assignment of error is overruled.

C. Restitution

               In his seventh assignment of error, Newton argues that his counsel

was ineffective for failing to object to the trial court ordering him to pay restitution

without considering his present and future ability to pay. In light of the foregoing

analysis regarding the court’s restitution order, we cannot find that there was a

reasonable probability of a different outcome had defense counsel objected. This

assignment of error is overruled.

VI. Sentence

               Finally, Newton argues in his eighth assignment of error that his

sentence was contrary to law because he was punished for exercising his right to trial

by jury. In support of his argument, Newton points to the trial court’s pretrial

statement that if the case was resolved by a plea agreement, and if the parties agreed

to a sentencing range of 12 to 16 years as part of that plea agreement, then the court

would impose a sentence within that range. Newton did not resolve either this case

or CR-17-620243-A with a plea agreement; he rejected the state’s plea deal and

proceeded to a trial in both cases. Following both trials, the court sentenced Newton

to an aggregate prison term of 56 years. Newton asserts that the trial court imposed

a harsher sentence — 56 years as opposed to 12 to 16 years — because he exercised

his constitutional right to a trial. Newton points to the sentences of his codefendants

— community control, four years, and five years, respectively — to support his
assertion that the court imposed a harsher sentence on Newton because he elected

to have a trial. We disagree.

               It is well-established that “a sentence vindictively imposed on a

defendant for exercising his constitutional right to a jury trial is contrary to law.”

State v. Rahab, 150 Ohio St. 3d 152, 2017-Ohio-1401, 80 N.E.3d 431, ¶ 8, citing State

v. O’Dell, 45 Ohio St. 3d 140, 147, 543 N.E.2d 1220 (1989).

               Newton has not cited any authority for his argument that a trial court

is somehow bound to a pretrial indication that it would comply with a recommended

sentencing range following a plea deal that the defendant rejects. On the contrary,

there are multiple reasons why a court might impose a different sentence on a

defendant following a trial. First, in the instant case, the mere fact that Newton was

convicted of 23 felonies, rather than the 10 felonies to which he would have pleaded

guilty pursuant to the plea offer, could explain the harsher sentence. Further, the

nature of a trial is such that more information bearing on sentencing will be available

to the judge after trial, including further insight into the crime itself and to the

defendant’s “‘moral character and suitability for rehabilitation.’” Rahab, quoting

Alabama v. Smith, 490 U.S. 794, 801, 109 S. Ct. 2201, 104 L. Ed. 2d 865 (1989).

Similarly, a guilty plea may justify leniency because the prosecutor may offer a more

lenient sentence as part of the plea-bargaining process, whereas after trial, “‘the

factors that may have indicated leniency as consideration for the guilty plea are no

longer present.’” Rahab at ¶ 15, quoting Smith at 801.
               In light of the foregoing factors, we review the record to determine

whether there is evidence of actual vindictiveness, and Newton’s sentence will be

reversed only if we clearly and convincingly find that it is contrary to law because it

was imposed as a result of actual vindictiveness. Id. at ¶ 19. Upon reviewing the

entire record, we find no evidence that the trial court imposed Newton’s sentence as

a result of vindictiveness. At sentencing, the court stated that it had reviewed the

PSI and mitigation of penalty report.       The court heard statements from the

prosecutor and defense counsel, as well as Newton himself. The court referred to

Newton’s extensive and varied criminal history across multiple jurisdictions, and

the impact that the incidents in this case had on the community. The court also

stated that it considered the purposes and principles of felony sentencing set forth

in R.C. 2929.11 and the sentencing factors set forth in R.C. 2929.12. Finally, the

court made the requisite findings under R.C. 2929.14 before imposing consecutive

sentences. In light of this, we cannot clearly and convincingly find that Newton’s

sentence was vindictively imposed. His eighth assignment of error is overruled.

               Judgment affirmed.

      It is ordered that appellee recover from appellant 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

common pleas court to carry this judgment into execution.            The defendant’s

convictions having been affirmed, any bail pending appeal is terminated. Case

remanded to the trial court for execution of sentence.
      A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27

of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.

RAYMOND C. HEADEN, JUDGE

ANITA LASTER MAYS, P.J., and
MICHELLE J. SHEEHAN, J., CONCUR