Court Opinion

ID: 9374230
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-02-22 17:07:45.577669+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:16:45.914286
License: Public Domain

J-S45035-22

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA                  :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                                  :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                                  :
                v.                                :
                                                  :
                                                  :
    ERIC ROLAND SWENSON                           :
                                                  :
                          Appellant               :   No. 941 EDA 2022

         Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered March 15, 2022
             In the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County
                  Criminal Division at CP-46-CR-0002970-2019

BEFORE: OLSON, J., STABILE, J., and MURRAY, J.

MEMORANDUM BY MURRAY, J.:                               FILED FEBRUARY 22, 2023

        Eric Roland Swenson (Appellant) appeals from the judgment of sentence

imposed after the trial court convicted him of sexual abuse of children

(photographing, videotaping, depicting on computer or filming sexual acts),

sexual    abuse      of   children    (child   pornography),   and   criminal   use   of

communication facility.1 We affirm.

        The trial court explained:

        On May 27, 2019, Detective Greco of the Lansdale Borough
        (Montgomery County) Police Department was assigned to
        investigate a report taken from Mater Dei Catholic School
        involving [Appellant]. N.T., 11/29/2021, p. 30. The report
        involved the assertion that [Appellant] was taking pictures of
        cheer practice when his [6 year old] daughter was not on the mat.
        Id. at p. 32. Detective Greco went to [Appellant’s] home and
        spoke of the concern.        [Appellant] stated that he had no
        “nefarious” intent but, rather, had “artistic pictures” on his phone.
____________________________________________

1   See 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 6312(b), (d), and 7512.
J-S45035-22

     Id. at p. 34. Following some discussion, [Appellant] consented to
     Detective Greco conducting a search of the phone. Id. at p. 38-
     39. That evening, [Appellant] emailed Detective Greco, which
     email included the following:

       “When you asked the question if I had any improper photos
       of my daughter on my phone, honestly, that hit me in the gut
       and mentally grossed me out. … [t]he artistic nudes I have
       on the phone got me thinking if I would allow my daughter
       to do those poses and after getting sick to my stomach and
       said to myself, hell no. A few photos where you can see their
       vagina, they are not showing the inside. Thus, I thought they
       were artistic pics. Please delete any and all nudes you deem
       necessary. The only reason I saved the photos is because I
       enjoy beauty. … As to my daughter’s Pep squad, that is over
       for the year. From now on, I promise to take only photos of
       [my daughter].”

     Id. at 44-45.

           Detective Greco responded to the email requesting that
     [Appellant] come to the station. Meanwhile Detective Greco
     obtained a warrant for the Defendant's arrest for the possession
     of the pornographic images of children on the phone. The next
     day, March 28, 2019, [Appellant] came to the station and was
     taken into custody. Id. at p. 47.

           On that same day, March 28, 2019, Detective Greco
     obtained a search warrant to search the contents of [Appellant’s]
     phone and his residence and ultimately seized two (2) desktop
     computers and multiple hard drives, compact disks labeled with
     female names, USB drives and flash drives that would be used on
     a camera. Id. at p. 48-52.

           After the search, still on March 28, 2019, Detective Greco
     spoke again with [Appellant]. After waiving his [rights pursuant to
     Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966)], [Appellant] provided
     a statement admitting that he possessed and watched “child porn
     video on the computer” and that his collection included “some
     video, some pictures”. [Appellant] advised that there were child
     pornographic images stored on his computer in a folder titled
     “mass effect2”. Id. at 56-61.

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Trial Court Opinion, 6/8/22, at 1-2.

      The trial court further recounted:

            The computer devices were professionally downloaded.
      Counsel [for Appellant] stipulated that [Appellant’s] cell phone
      “contained over one hundred images and/or videos of
      prepubescent children engaged in sexual acts or in the simulation
      of such acts.” Detective Greco testified that the images included
      “prepubescent females, various states of nudity, posing” and
      engaged in “sexual acts to include vaginal intercourse, anal
      intercourse.” [N.T., 11/29/21,] at p. 69-70.

            Detective Greco testified that he determined eleven (11) of
      the pornographic images on [Appellant’s] phone to be of his
      daughter in various stages of undress and nudity. Two of the
      photographs, taken on February 9, 2019, involved [Appellant’s]
      daughter posing for the camera.         In the first photograph,
      [Appellant’s] daughter is topless, holding a pajama or shirt top
      covering her vaginal area; in the second she is covering her bare
      breasts with her arms seemingly pushing up with her arms to
      accentuate her breasts.       Also located on the phone were
      “modifications of the original” - or “cropped” versions - of the
      same photographs in which [Appellant’s] daughter’s head and face
      are cropped off. The modified images are essentially a zoomed-
      in image of the child’s breasts. Id. at p. 72-81.

            [Appellant’s] daughter was six years old when these
      photographs were taken. Id. at p. 95. These photos were the
      bases for Counts One and Two [sexual abuse – production], 18
      Pa.C.S.A §6312(b)].

Id. at 3.

      Detective Greco discovered “tens of thousands of images and videos of

child pornography” on Appellant’s desktop computers. N.T., 11/29/21, at 83.

The trial court, in camera, reviewed the evidence seized from Appellant’s

electronic devices. The trial court stated:

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     The photographs included a large number of topless,
     prepubescent girls, many posing in a seductive way and positioned
     like the topless photograph of [Appellant’s] daughter. Many other
     photographs were of prepubescent topless girls standing before
     the camera. Many of the photographs included prepubescent girls
     engaging in hard core sexual acts, including oral, vaginal and anal
     sex involving adult penises (with the male’s head cropped out)
     and fake penises. The [trial c]ourt only observed a very small
     percentage of the thousands of images and videos of child
     pornography.

            [Appellant] had taken photographs (which were on his
     phone) of his daughter -- and another similarly-aged girl --
     “licking’’ or “sucking on a lollipop”. [N.T., 11/29/21,] at p. 87-90,
     106-107. In his computer collection, he had a number of other
     photographs of young girls also licking or sucking a lollipop. Some
     of the photographs are modified and zoomed in on the child’s
     mouth as she is performing this act. Of note, the pictures of the
     girls on his computer with lollipops were in the same collection as
     photographs of young girls with adult penises entering their
     mouths.

           All the girls in [Appellant’s] child porn collection “appeared
     to be ... as young as four going on twelve.” Id. at p. 95.

            [Appellant] also had photographs of himself posing with a
     doll (a replica of a young girl) dressed in what appears to be his
     daughter’s “Mater Dei Catholic School uniform top and uniform
     bottom.” Id. at p. 101. There were “a lot” of photographs of
     [Appellant] simulating sexual acts with the doll.         One such
     photograph was [Appellant] with “full frontal nudity ... posing with
     the doll and smiling.” Id. at p. 102-103. The photographs confirm
     that at some point, [Appellant] replaced the mouth of the doll
     “from just a cotton mouth to what appears to be a plastic mouth,
     like a plastic opening.” Id. at p. 103.

           Yet another photograph was [Appellant] with the “doll bent
     over” on a bed and [Appellant] “is behind the doll and is pulling
     the doll’s hair and it looks like he is simulating a sex act.” Id. at
     p. 104. Indeed, the photograph showed [Appellant] pushing down
     on the doll’s neck and simulating - or literally - penetrating the
     doll with his penis. The bed on which the simulated sex act was
     taking place appeared to be a school-age girl’s bed, with pink paint
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       or wallpaper on the walls and pink, flowered bedding.             A
       rectangular piece of art was on the wall, with pink juvenile
       lettering, which spelled out [Appellant’s] daughter’s first name.

            Notably, [Appellant] had multiple photographs of his
       daughter in the same (or virtually identical) Mater Dei Catholic
       School uniform as that of the doll. Id. at p. 105.

              [Appellant] was also in possession of still photographs -
       “cropped from a video” - of other girls from the school including a
       student with a Mater Dei Catholic School uniform. The still
       photographs included “edited down” -- and zoomed-in -- versions
       which remove adults and other people from the photograph so
       that it focuses only on the young girl. Id. at p. 116.

Id. at 3-5.

       On July 19, 2021, the Commonwealth filed a motion to admit prior bad

acts evidence pursuant to Pa.R.E. 404(b).2 The trial court explained:

       Specifically, the Commonwealth sought to admit evidence of
       certain uncharged conduct of [Appellant] including (i) filming and
       photographing girls other than his daughter at his daughter’s
       school, (ii) producing photographs of himself, totally or partially
       naked, along with a doll dressed in the uniform of his daughter (in
       one case simulating having sexual intercourse with the doll) and
       (iii) possessing photographs and videos of young girls in
       potentially sexually suggestive poses or partial nudity each of
       which, by itself, did not constitute child pornography.

             Prior to the beginning of trial on November 29, 2021, the
       [c]ourt … heard argument on the Commonwealth’s 404(b) motion,
       which this [c]ourt granted.

Id. at 5-6.

____________________________________________

2Appellant filed a motion to dismiss for violation of Pa.R.Crim.P. 600 and delay
of his speedy trial rights, which the trial court denied.
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        The court held a one-day bench trial and thereafter convicted Appellant

of the above crimes. On March 15, 2022, the court sentenced Appellant to an

aggregate 5 - 10 years in prison, followed by 7 years of probation.3 Appellant

timely appealed. Appellant and the trial court have complied with Pa.R.A.P.

1925.

        Appellant presents three issues for review:

        1. Whether the trial court erred in granting the Commonwealth’s
        prior bad acts motion where the evidence that was admitted did
        not fall under any of the Pa.R.E. 404(b)(2) exceptions and only
        showed that Appellant had the propensity to act in accordance
        with his attraction to young girls?

        2. Whether there was sufficient evidence presented at trial to
        support Appellant’s convictions for [sexual abuse of children –
        production,] where it was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt
        that the [sic] photographed his daughter engaged in a prohibited
        sexual act?

        3. Whether the sentence imposed for Appellant’s convictions for
        [sexual abuse of children – production] was excessive where the
        trial court was only concerned with the protection of the public
        and considered an impermissible factor?

Appellant’s Brief at 7.

        At the outset, we observe that

        reviewing courts are not fact-finding bodies. O’Rourke v.
        Commonwealth, 566 Pa. 161, 778 A.2d 1194, 1199
        (2001). Appellate courts are limited to determining “whether
        there is evidence in the record to justify the trial court’s
        findings.” Id. at 1199 n.6. “If so, this Court is bound by
        them.” Id. However, while “we accord deference to a trial court
        with regard to factual findings, our review of legal conclusions is
____________________________________________

3   Appellant was found not to be a sexually violent predator.
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      de novo.” Id. at n.7 (citation omitted). Indeed, it is a long-
      standing appellate principle that, “[w]ith respect to [] inferences
      and deductions from facts and [] conclusions of law, … appellate
      courts have the power to draw their own inferences and make
      their own deductions and conclusions.” In re Pruner’s Est., 400
      Pa. 629, 162 A.2d 626, 631 (Pa. 1960) (citations omitted).

Commonwealth v. Cosby, 252 A.3d 1092, 1129 (Pa. 2021).

      In his first issue, Appellant claims the trial court improperly granted the

Commonwealth’s motion to admit evidence of his prior bad acts pursuant to

Pa.R.Crim.P. 404(b)(2).

      We review the trial court’s decision to admit evidence for an abuse of

discretion. Commonwealth v. Hairston, 84 A.3d 657, 664 (Pa. 2014). “An

abuse of discretion may not be found merely because an appellate court might

have reached a different conclusion, but requires a result of manifest

unreasonableness, or partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill-will, or such lack of

support so as to be clearly erroneous.” Id. at 664-65 (citations omitted).

      Pertinently, Rule 404(b) states:

      (1) Prohibited Uses. Evidence of a crime, wrong or other act is
      not admissible to prove a person’s character in order to show that
      on a particular occasion the person acted in accordance with the
      character.

      (2) Permitted Uses. This evidence may be admissible for
      another purpose, such as proving motive, opportunity, intent,
      preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, absence of mistake, or
      lack of accident. In a criminal case this evidence is admissible
      only if the probative value of the evidence outweighs its potential
      for unfair prejudice.

Pa.R.E. 404(b)(1)-(2).

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     We recently expressed that

        [g]enerally, evidence of prior bad acts or unrelated criminal
        activity is inadmissible to show that a defendant acted in
        conformity with those past acts or to show criminal
        propensity. Pa.R.E. 404(b)(1). However, evidence of prior
        bad acts may be admissible when offered to prove some
        other relevant fact, such as motive, opportunity, intent,
        preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, and absence of
        mistake or accident. Pa.R.E. 404(b)(2). In determining
        whether evidence of other prior bad acts is admissible, the
        trial court is obliged to balance the probative value of such
        evidence against its prejudicial impact.

     Commonwealth v. Sherwood, 603 Pa. 92, 982 A.2d 483, 497
     (2009).

            To   establish one      of the exceptions set forth       in
     Rule 404(b)(2), there must be “a close factual nexus sufficient to
     demonstrate the connective relevance of the prior bad acts to the
     crime in question[.]” Commonwealth v. Sami, 243 A.3d 991,
     999 (Pa. Super. 2020) (citation and emphasis omitted).
     Additionally, the term “unfair prejudice” in Rule 404(b)(2) “means
     a tendency to suggest a decision on an improper basis or to divert
     the jury’s attention away from its duty of weighing the evidence
     impartially.” Commonwealth v. Dillon, 592 Pa. 351, 925 A.2d
     131, 141 (2007). “[W]hen weighing the potential for prejudice, a
     trial court may consider how a cautionary jury instruction might
     ameliorate the prejudicial effect of the proffered evidence.” Id.

Commonwealth       v.    Gilliam,   249   A.3d   257,   271–72    (Pa.   Super.

2021), reargument denied (May 19, 2021), appeal denied, 267 A.3d 1213

(Pa. 2021).

     Appellant argues:

     The only issue at trial here was whether the one photograph, and
     a modified version of it, that [Appellant] took of his six[-]year-old
     daughter depicted her “in a prohibited sexual act,” as is prohibited
     by section 6312(b)(2) of the Crimes Code. Given the photograph
     at issue, none of the Pa.R.E. 404(b)(2) exceptions apply here and
                                     -8-
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      the trial court abused its discretion by admitting evidence that
      served no other purpose than to show that [Appellant] was an
      “unsavory character” who had a propensity for taking photographs
      of children he found attractive.

Appellant’s Brief at 32-33. Appellant asserts the Commonwealth “sought to

introduce evidence of [him] filming minors consistent with the age of his

daughter and under the age of 13,” and specifically referenced photos

Appellant took of his “niece licking a lollipop, eating candy, and numerous

images are cropped which indicate an unnatural focus on the child’s mouth.”

Id. at 31-32 (citing N.T., 11/29/21, at 9). Appellant argues his attraction to

children was not at issue, and claims “[t]here … is no logical connection

between this evidence and the photo at issue. Id. at 33, 38.

      Appellant further claims the evidence was inadmissible under the

common scheme, plan, or design exception:

      In no way can it be said that it is a signature of [Appellant] to
      photograph young girls, even if that includes modifying the
      photographs, or performing sex acts on a doll….

Id. at 35. Appellant maintains the evidence was not admissible to establish

his motive or intent:

      There is no logical connection that can be established showing that
      [Appellant] was motivated to take a photograph of his daughter
      because of other photographs that he took of other children, which
      bear no resemblance to the photo of his daughter. Likewise, the
      photograph of [Appellant’s] daughter did not grow out of nor was
      it caused by him simulating sex with a doll. … The evidence was
      merely an attempt to smear [Appellant’s] character by showing
      that his attraction to children in general motivated him to take
      photo [sic] of his daughter that was sexually gratifying to him….

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Id. at 36-37. Finally, Appellant argues the evidence was “mere propensity

evidence that should not have been admitted.” Id. at 37.

      It bears repeating:

      Admission of evidence is within the sound discretion of the trial
      court and will be reversed only upon a showing that the trial court
      clearly abused its discretion. Admissibility depends on relevance
      and probative value. Evidence is relevant if it logically tends to
      establish a material fact in the case, tends to make a fact at issue
      more or less probable or supports a reasonable inference or
      presumption regarding a material fact.

      Judicial discretion requires action in conformity with law, upon
      facts and circumstances judicially before the court, after hearing
      and due consideration. An abuse of discretion is not merely an
      error of judgment, but if in reaching a conclusion the law is
      overridden or misapplied or the judgment exercised is manifestly
      unreasonable, or the result of partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill will,
      as shown by the evidence or the record, discretion is abused.

Commonwealth v. Borovichka, 18 A.3d 1242, 1253 (Pa. Super. 2011)

(citation omitted).

      “All relevant evidence is admissible, except as otherwise provided by

law. Evidence that is not relevant is not admissible.” Pa.R.E. 402. Evidence

is relevant if “(a) it has the tendency to make a fact more or less probable

than it would be without the evidence; and (b) the fact is of consequence in

determining the action.”     Pa.R.E. 401.      “The court may exclude relevant

evidence if its probative value is outweighed by a danger of one or more of

the following: unfair prejudice, confusing the issues, misleading the jury,

undue delay, wasting time, or needlessly presenting cumulative evidence.”

Pa.R.E. 403.
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     This Court has explained:

     Evidence of a defendant’s distinct crimes are not generally
     admissible against a defendant solely to show his bad character
     or his propensity for committing criminal acts, as proof of the
     commission of one offense is not generally proof of the
     commission of another.      However, this general proscription
     against admission of a defendant’s distinct bad acts is subject to
     numerous exceptions if the evidence is relevant for some
     legitimate evidentiary reason and not merely to prejudice the
     defendant by showing him to be a person of bad character.

     Exceptions that have been recognized as legitimate bases for
     admitting evidence of a defendant’s distinct crimes include, but
     are not limited to:

       (1) motive; (2) intent; (3) absence of mistake or accident;
       (4) a common scheme, plan or design such that proof of one
       crime naturally tends to prove the others; (5) to establish the
       identity of the accused where there is such a logical
       connection between the crimes that proof of one will naturally
       tend to show that the accused is the person who committed
       the other; (6) to impeach the credibility of a defendant who
       testifies in his trial; (7) situations where defendant’s prior
       criminal history had been used by him to threaten or
       intimidate the victim; (8) situations where the distinct crimes
       were part of a chain or sequence of events which formed the
       history of the case and were part of its natural development
       (sometimes called “res gestae” exception).

     Additional exceptions are recognized when the probative value of
     the evidence outweighs the potential prejudice to the trier of fact.

Commonwealth v. Hicks, 151 A.3d 216, 225 (Pa. Super. 2016) (emphasis

omitted); accord Commonwealth v. Yocolano, 169 A.3d 47, 54-55 (Pa.

Super. 2017).

     Instantly, the trial court found evidence of Appellant’s prior bad acts

admissible to show “(i) a common scheme, design or plan, (ii) proof of

                                    - 11 -
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[Appellant’s] motive and intent, and (iii) part of the res gestae of the case.”

Trial Court Opinion, 6/8/22, at 17.   The trial court reasoned:

           The most serious charge facing the [Appellant] was Sexual
      Abuse of Children - Production. To prove this charge, the
      Commonwealth was tasked with demonstrating that the
      [Appellant] knowingly produced child pornography when he took
      photographs of his minor daughter in various stages of undress
      and with her head cropped from certain photos.

             The Rule 404(b) evidence showed that (i) [Appellant]
      photographed minor females from his daughter’s school and
      cropped the photographs to eliminate other subjects in the scene,
      (ii) took photographs of himself, naked, alongside a doll dressed
      like his daughter, and (iii) took a photograph of himself simulating
      sexual intercourse with the doll dressed like his daughter on his
      daughter’s bed. This evidence was relevant to [Appellant’s]
      motive and intent in photographing his daughter and cropping
      these photographs to focus on her bare-breasted chest. It also
      was relevant to establish the “res gestae” or factual background
      of the case.

             With respect to the Production charge, the [c]ourt had to
      determine whether [Appellant] produced the specific photographs
      of his daughter “engaging in a prohibited sexual act”. 18 Pa.C.S.
      § 6312(b)(2). A “prohibited sexual act” is defined to include “lewd
      exhibition of the genitals or nudity if such nudity is depicted for
      the purpose of sexual stimulation or gratification.” 18 Pa.C.S. §
      6312(g). Accordingly, the [c]ourt had to determine [Appellant’s]
      intent or motive in photographing his daughter bare-chested and
      cropping her head off the photo to produce a second image of his
      daughter’s bare chest and breasts. That is, was the [Appellant]
      doing so for his own “sexual stimulation or gratification”?

            The Rule 404(b) evidence was relevant to that
      determination. The evidence was relevant to show that that the
      [Appellant] was essentially sexualizing his daughter - taking
      photographs of her naked breasts and[/]or her licking and sucking
      on lollipops. The multiple photographs in [Appellant’s] child
      pornography collection of young girls in similar poses and stages
      of dress was relevant to that determination. The photographs of
      [Appellant] posing naked with a doll dressed like his daughter -
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      wearing his daughter’s school uniform - were relevant to that
      determination. And the photographs of [Appellant] posing naked
      and simulating sexual intercourse with the dressed-up doll, on his
      daughter’s bed, was relevant to that determination.

            The Rule 404(b) evidence at issue was prejudicial and
      served to demonstrate that the [Appellant] did, indeed, produce
      the topless photographs of his daughter in violation of 18 Pa.C.S.
      § 6312(b)(2). However other act evidence is designed to be
      prejudicial; the question is whether the probative value of the
      evidence outweighs the potential for unfair prejudice.
      Commonwealth v. Gordon, 673 A.2d 1866 (Pa. 1996).

            Here, the probative value of the Rule 404(b) evidence was
      not outweighed by any potential for unfair prejudice. The [c]ourt
      did not consider or weigh the Rule 404(b) evidence as relevant to
      [Appellant’s] character or any possible propensity to commit such
      crimes. Rather, the [c]ourt considered the evidence for the
      express purposes set forth in Rule 404(b) and Morris, supra.

           It is important to note that this was a bench trial so
      there was obviously no danger of a jury being inflamed by
      uncomfortable photographs. Appellate courts have
      concluded that trial courts are presumed to be able to
      properly evaluate evidence. See Commonwealth v. Moss,
      852 A.2d 374 (Pa. Super. 2004) (concluding that at a bench trial,
      a presumption exists that the court properly disregards any
      inadmissible evidence).

Trial Court Opinion, 6/8/22, at 17-19 (emphasis added). Upon review, we

discern no error or abuse of discretion, and adopt the trial court’s legal analysis

in disposing of this issue. See id.

      In his second issue, Appellant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence

supporting his conviction of sexual abuse of children - photographing,

videotaping, depicting on computer or filming sexual acts production, 18

Pa.C.S.A. § 6312(b). Appellant claims the evidence was insufficient “because

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it was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellant photographed his

daughter engaging in a prohibited sexual act.”        Appellant’s Brief at 41.

Appellant claims his sexual attraction to young girls “does not prove

[Appellant] photographed his daughter, who was not wearing a shirt, for his

own sexual gratification, as required to sustain a conviction under section

6312 of the Crimes Code.” Id. Appellant concedes the photograph “depicts

nudity in so far as [his daughter] does not have a shirt on,” but contends the

“there is absolutely no evidence that [his daughter, in the photo,] is engaging

in anything other than childhood.” Id. at 42. Appellant points out that he did

not include the photo of his daughter with the pornography collection

recovered from his computer. Id. at 43.

      Appellant further argues the photo of his daughter is “just one of many,

many photographs that he took of her.” Id. According to Appellant, there is

no proof that he had his daughter pose so he could crop out her head for his

sexual gratification. Id. Appellant asserts:

      That [Appellant] later modified the photo to focus on her bare
      chest is not sufficient to sustain the conviction here because the
      mens rea was not present at the time the photograph was taken.
      This photograph was just one of many innocent photos that
      [Appellant] took of his daughter….

Id.

      Regarding the trial court’s reliance on prior bad acts evidence, Appellant

claims such evidence “can be just as logically tied to the fact that he is

attracted to young girls, in general, rather than his daughter.”     Id. at 44.
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Appellant also disputes the relevance of his dressing his doll in his daughter’s

school uniform. Id. Appellant states that his daughter “is not the only person

in her school to wear the uniform and [Appellant] is not the only person to

fetishize the [C]atholic school[]girl uniform.”    Id.   Appellant directs our

attention to the lack of evidence that he “touched or did anything

inappropriate to his daughter.” Id.

      When reviewing a sufficiency challenge, we determine “whether the

evidence at trial, and all reasonable inferences derived therefrom, when

viewed in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth as verdict winner,

are sufficient to establish all elements of the offense beyond a reasonable

doubt.” Commonwealth v. May, 887 A.2d 750, 753 (Pa. 2005) (citation

omitted). “[A] conviction may be sustained wholly on circumstantial evidence,

and the trier of fact—while passing on the credibility of the witnesses and the

weight of the evidence—is free to believe all, part, or none of the evidence.”

Commonwealth v. Miller, 172 A.3d 632, 640 (Pa. Super. 2017) (citation

omitted). “In conducting this review, the appellate court may not weigh the

evidence and substitute its judgment for the fact-finder.” Id.

      The Crimes Code at Section 6312(b) provides:

      (2) Any person who knowingly photographs, videotapes, depicts
      on computer or films a child under the age of 18 years engaging
      in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act
      commits an offense.

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18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6312(b)(2).      “Prohibited sexual act” is defined, in part, as

“nudity if such nudity is depicted for the purpose of sexual stimulation or

gratification of any person who might view such depiction.” 18 Pa.C.S.A. §

6312(g). Here, the trial court found that Appellant photographed his daughter

for sexual stimulation or gratification. Id. As the fact finder, the trial court

expressly determined the Commonwealth “was able to prove its case.” Trial

Court Opinion, 6/8/22, at 20. The trial court further explained:

            [Appellant’s] doll, produced by way of Rule 404(b) evidence,
      was relevant to [Appellant’s] intent and motive on the [Section
      6312 child sexual abuse] counts. The photographs confirmed that
      the doll was a replica of a young, school-age girl. It was about
      three feet tall with pig tails. The photographs depicted the doll in
      [Appellant’s] daughter’s school outfit.

            In one of the photos, [Appellant] has the doll positioned in
      what appears to be his daughter’s bed, simulating sexual
      intercourse. Specifically, he was positioned behind the doll, with
      the doll facing forward. His left hand was pulling on one of the
      braids of the doll; his right hand was pushing down on the girl’s
      neck. He was naked, and had his groin area pressed against the
      rear portion of the doll, simulating or literally penetrating the doll
      with his penis.

           The Commonwealth produced two additional photographs of
      [Appellant], showing full frontal nudity, as he held the doll.

            Of note, [Appellant] was not charged with anything
      involving the doll. But the photos were relevant to [Appellant’s]
      motive and intent with respect to the photographs at issue. The
      photos with the doll, along with the other evidence,
      demonstrated [Appellant] was essentially sexualizing his
      daughter - viewing her in a way that would constitute
      “sexual gratification”.

            [Appellant’s] collection of child pornography consisted of a
      large number of prepubescent girls who appeared to be the
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      approximate age of his daughter. Many of the photographs
      involved girls standing in front of the camera topless, with their
      breasts exposed …. Many of the photographs also involved a girl
      licking or sucking a lollipop … [;] notably, these photographs were
      stored in the same files as photographs of young girls performing
      oral sex on adult men….

             With respect to the photographs constituting [sexual abuse
      of children] both [photographs] show [Appellant’s] daughter
      topless, facing the camera. The second photograph is a cropped
      version that literally shows nothing but her bare breasted torso.
      Again, this is similar to many photographs in his child porn
      collection.

            The evidence confirmed that [Appellant] liked to crop
      photographs so that he could focus on certain parts thereof. There
      were additional photographs entered into the record (as Rule
      404(b) other act evidence) where he would first take a photograph
      of a group of people (one photograph had a young girl with two
      adults who may be her parents) and then crop the photograph to
      only show the young girl.

             In the case of his daughter, the evidence showed that
      he cropped both photographs at issue to focus on her bare
      breasted      torso    (modifying     the    original   topless
      photograph). Given the totality of the evidence presented at
      trial, the Court concluded beyond a reasonable doubt that
      [Appellant] possessed, and cropped, these photographs for his
      own sexual gratification as contemplated in Section 6312 ….

Trial Court Opinion, 6/8/22, at 20-22 (footnote omitted, emphasis added).

The record supports the trial court’s findings and its legal conclusions are

sound. See id. We therefore affirm the trial court’s rejection of Appellant’s

sufficiency challenge.

      Finally, in his third issue, Appellant challenges the discretionary aspects

of his sentence. “A challenge to the discretionary aspects of sentencing is not

automatically reviewable as a matter of right.” Commonwealth v. Grays,
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167 A.3d 793, 815 (Pa. Super. 2017).          Prior to reaching the merits of a

discretionary sentencing issue:

      We conduct a four-part analysis to determine: (1) whether
      appellant has filed a timely notice of appeal, see Pa.R.A.P. 902
      and 903; (2) whether the issue was properly preserved at
      sentencing or in a motion to reconsider and modify sentence, see
      [Pa.R.Crim.P. 720]; (3) whether appellant’s brief has a fatal
      defect, Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f); and (4) whether there is a substantial
      question that the sentence appealed from is not appropriate under
      the Sentencing Code, 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9781(b).

Grays, 167 A.3d at 815-16 (citation omitted).

      Our review shows Appellant timely filed a notice of appeal, preserved

his claim in a post-sentence motion, and included in his appellate brief a

Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f) statement.      Accordingly, we address whether Appellant

raised a substantial question that his sentence is inappropriate under the

Sentencing Code.

      Appellant claims his sentences of three to six years in prison for sexual

abuse of children are manifestly excessive given the circumstances of this

case. Appellant’s Brief at 28. Appellant argues the trial court failed to consider

mitigating circumstances, and also considered impermissible sentencing

factors.   Appellant raises substantial questions.    See Commonwealth v.

Raven, 97 A.3d 1244, 1253 (Pa. Super. 2014) (“a sentencing court’s failure

to consider mitigating factors raises a substantial question); Commonwealth

v. Allen, 24 A.3d 1058, 1064-65 (Pa. Super. 2011) (“[A] claim that a sentence

is excessive because the trial court relied on an impermissible factor raises a

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substantial question.”) (citations omitted)).   Thus, we address Appellant’s

sentencing issues.

      Appellant argues the trial court improperly focused on the protection of

the public and not his rehabilitative needs. Appellant’s Brief at 47. Appellant

asserts the trial court failed to discuss his rehabilitative needs or mitigating

factors, “because [the trial court] was not concerned with anything but

punishment.” Id. at 50.

      Appellant further claims the trial court relied on impermissible factors.

First, Appellant asserts the trial court improperly based its sentence on

photographs of his daughter for which he was not charged.           Id. at 52.

Appellant acknowledges the trial court may consider uncharged conduct at

sentencing, but “it is not permissible to base the sentence on that uncharged

conduct.”   Id. (citing Commonwealth v. P.L.S., 894 A.2d 120, 135 (Pa.

Super. 2006). Second, Appellant contends the trial court improperly based

its sentence “on the amount of child pornography [Appellant] possessed….”

Id.

      Our standard of review is settled:

      Sentencing is a matter vested within the discretion of the trial
      court and will not be disturbed absent a manifest abuse of
      discretion. An abuse of discretion requires the trial court to have
      acted with manifest unreasonableness, or partiality, prejudice,
      bias, or ill-will, or such lack of support so as to be clearly
      erroneous. A sentencing court need not undertake a lengthy
      discourse for its reasons for imposing a sentence or specifically
      reference the statute in question, but the record as a whole must

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      reflect the sentencing court’s consideration of the facts of the
      crime and character of the offender.

Commonwealth v. Rush, 162 A.3d 530, 544 (Pa. Super. 2017) (citations

omitted).

      “When imposing a sentence, the sentencing court must consider the

factors set out in 42 [Pa.C.S.A.] § 9721(b), that is, the protection of the public,

gravity of offense in relation to impact on victim and community, and

rehabilitative needs of the defendant.” Commonwealth v. Fullin, 892 A.2d

843, 847-48 (Pa. Super. 2006) (citations omitted).

      The trial court explained Appellant’s sentence as follows:

        On Counts one and two, [sexual abuse of children] I will run
        these - for the ease of understanding the sentence, I’m going
        to make one and two concurrent with each other. [Appellant]
        is sentenced to imprisonment on both for not less than three
        nor more than six years in [state prison].

           Each one individually is sentenced above the standard
        range, but they are running concurrent with one another.

           On counts twelve through a hundred and eleven … the
        sentence of all of those counts is concurrent with each other
        and is two to four years but that runs consecutively to the
        sentences at count one and two.

          On count three, I’m imposing a period of probation in the
        amount of twelve [sic] years.

            So it is a cumulative sentence of five to ten years’
        incarceration with seven years consecutive probation.

N.T., 3/15/22, at 86-87 (emphasis added).

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      The trial court had the benefit of a presentence investigation report

(PSI). See Docket Entry 12/6/21 (ordering a PSI); N.T., 3/15/22, at 86 (trial

court indicating it reviewed the reports it had ordered). “[W]here the trial

court is informed by a pre-sentence report, it is presumed that the court is

aware of all appropriate sentencing factors and considerations, and that where

the   court   has   been   so   informed,    its   discretion   should   not    be

disturbed.” Commonwealth v. Ventura, 975 A.2d 1128, 1135 (Pa. Super.

2009) (citation omitted). In addition, we can assume the court was aware of

the relevant information regarding Appellant’s character and weighed those

considerations along with mitigating statutory factors. Commonwealth v.

Hill, 210 A.3d 1104, 1117 (Pa. Super. 2019).

      Our review discloses the trial court also had the benefit of Appellant’s

testimony regarding his drug addictions and efforts at rehabilitation.         See

N.T., 3/15/22, at 75-77. In sentencing Appellant, the trial court expressly

considered Appellant’s lack of criminal record, his family support, his

rehabilitation of an alcohol issue and other mitigating factors. Id. at 82-84.

Thus, the trial court appropriately considered mitigating evidence.

      Our review also discloses the trial court considered the “sheer number

of [Appellant’s] photographs [depicting child pornography]” at sentencing.

See id. at 84. However, in addition to the volume, the trial court considered

the “extreme” nature of the “horrific” photos. Trial Court Opinion, 6/8/22, at

86-87. The trial court explained:
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            The reality is that this case was more than a “typical”
     possession of child pornography case. [Appellant] did not “only”
     possess a collection of child pornography.        [Appellant] was
     actively and surreptitiously taking pictures of young girls at the
     Mater Dei Catholic School, cropping them and saving them in his
     collection of photographs. He was taking sexualized photographs
     of his young daughter - cropping them to provide focus on her
     bare breasts.

           At the sentencing hearing the [c]ourt saw additional
     photographs of [Appellant’s] daughter squeezing her nipples and
     a close up of her crotch in underwear. These additional
     photographs were admitted as relevant to sentencing. The
     photographs were not entered at trial, but certainly
     validated the [c]ourt’s conclusion following trial that
     [Appellant] had sexualized his young daughter in his mind
     and had produced the photographs in Counts one and two
     for the purposes of his “sexual gratification”.

           … Appellant’s child pornography collection consisted
     of “tens of thousands” of photographs and videos of very
     young, prepubescent girls.       It took Detective Greco
     “months” to review the collection. Many of these images
     were horrific - young girls being violated by adult penises
     and fake penises vaginally, anally and orally and/or
     depicted with ejaculate on their faces and bodies. This
     immense collection of extreme child pornography was an
     additional aggravating factor that warranted the sentence
     structure imposed by the [c]ourt.

           Factors to be considered when determining a defendant’s
     sentence include the character of the defendant and the particular
     circumstances of the offense in light of the legislative guidelines
     for sentencing. Commonwealth v. Scott, 860 A.2d 1029 (Pa.
     Super. 2004).

           The sentence imposed must be consistent with the
     protection of the public, the gravity of the offense and the
     rehabilitative needs of the defendant. Id.

           The [c]ourt’s sentence was the product of careful
     deliberation of each of these factors. The [c]ourt explained the
     reasons for its sentence in great detail. The sentences for Counts
                                   - 22 -
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      one and two, while both starting at the top of the aggravated
      range, were imposed concurrently with each other.              The
      sentences on Counts 12 through 111, two to four years of
      imprisonment, were imposed consecutively to Counts one and two
      but concurrently with each other. The sentence was not unduly
      harsh by any means. The sentence was structured to arrive at an
      aggregate total that was fair and appropriate given the totality of
      the multiple sentencing factors.

            The [c]ourt considered all the relevant sentencing factors in
      this case and imposed an appropriate sentence. [Appellant’s]
      sentence was proper.

Trial Court Opinion, 6/8/22, at 26 (emphasis added).

      We agree with the trial court. Appellant’s sentence is not excessive, and

his claim to contrary does not merit relief.

      Judgment of sentence affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 2/22/2023

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