Court Opinion

ID: 4557229
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-08-20 16:10:48.446351+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:39:53.146371
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Buggs, 2020-Ohio-4143.]

             IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                             SEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                 JEFFERSON COUNTY

                                            STATE OF OHIO,

                                            Plaintiff-Appellee,

                                                    v.

                                            IVAN J. BUGGS,

                                        Defendant-Appellant.

                        OPINION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY
                                            Case No. 20 JE 0001

                                   Criminal Appeal from the
                       Court of Common Pleas of Jefferson County, Ohio
                                    Case No. 18-CR-209

                                         BEFORE:
                David A. D’Apolito, Cheryl L. Waite, Carol Ann Robb, Judges.

                                               JUDGMENT:
                                                 Affirmed.

 Atty. Jane M. Hanlin, Jefferson County Prosecutor and Atty. Samuel Pate, Assistant
 Prosecuting Attorney, Jefferson County Justice Center, 16001 State Route 7,
 Steubenville, Ohio 43952, for Plaintiff-Appellee and

 Ivan J. Buggs, Pro Se, #A762-269, Noble Correctional Institution, 15708
 McConnelsville Road, Caldwell, Ohio 43724, Defendant-Appellant.
                                                                                             –2–

                                   Dated: August 12, 2020

    D’APOLITO, J.

        {¶1}   Appellant, Ivan J. Buggs, appeals from the December 9, 2019 judgment of
the Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas denying his pro se post-sentence motion
to withdraw his guilty plea without a hearing. On appeal, Appellant asserts that his
retained trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance, thereby invalidating his guilty plea,
and that the trial court erred in denying his motion to withdraw without a hearing. Finding
no reversible error, we affirm.

                          FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

        {¶2}   Appellant was on active parole with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation
and Correction, Adult Parole Authority. Numerous reports indicated that Appellant was
trafficking in drugs from his residence located at 1406 Euclid Avenue, Steubenville,
Jefferson County, Ohio.1 A compliance search revealed heroin and cocaine, an operable
firearm, and monetary proceeds.
        {¶3}   On February 6, 2019, Appellant was indicted by the Jefferson County Grand
Jury on three counts: count one, possession of drugs (heroin), a felony of the second
degree, in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A) and (C)(6)(d), with a forfeiture specification; count
two, possession of drugs (cocaine), a felony of the second degree, in violation of R.C.
2925.11(A) and (C)(4)(d), with a forfeiture specification; and count three, having a weapon
while under a disability, a felony of the third degree, in violation of R.C. 2923.13(A)(3).
Appellant retained counsel, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment, and waived his right to
a speedy trial.
        {¶4}   On March 21, 2019, Appellant filed a motion to suppress. Four days later,
Appellee, the State of Ohio, filed a memorandum contra indicating that Appellant had
agreed to warrantless searches as he was on active parole with the Adult Parole

1 Appellant’s place of residence was confirmed by a written and signed residential rental agreement
between Appellant and his landlord. (State’s Exhibit B).

Case No. 20 JE 0001
                                                                                       –3–

Authority. The State attached the Conditions of Supervision to its memorandum contra,
which states in pertinent part:

       In consideration of having been granted supervision on July 31, 2017

       ***

       7. I [Appellant] agree to the warrantless search of my person, motor vehicle,
       place of residence, personal property, or property that I have been given
       permission to use by my supervising officer or other authorized personnel
       of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction at any time.

(3/25/2019 State’s Memorandum Contra, Conditions of Supervision, Exhibit A).

       {¶5}   A hearing on the motion to suppress was scheduled for May 3, 2019. Due
to the parties’ agreement, however, Appellant withdrew his former not guilty plea and
entered an oral and written plea of guilty to all counts as charged in the indictment. The
trial court accepted Appellant’s guilty plea after finding it was made in a knowing,
intelligent, and voluntary manner pursuant to Crim.R. 11. The court sentenced Appellant,
pursuant to a jointly recommended sentence, to seven years in prison. The court noted
that Appellant “was afforded all rights pursuant to Criminal Rules 11 and 32.” (5/10/2019
Judgment Entry, p. 1).
       {¶6}   On November 21, 2019, Appellant filed a pro se post-sentence motion to
withdraw his guilty plea. The State filed a memorandum contra the next day. Appellant
filed a pro se reply on December 2, 2019.        One week later, the trial court denied
Appellant’s pro se post-sentence motion to withdraw his guilty plea without a hearing.
       {¶7}   Appellant filed a timely pro se appeal and raises two assignments of error.

                            ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 1

       BASED UPON MISADVICE AND FALSE INFORMATION FROM
       RETAINED COUNSEL, APPELLANT’S GUILTY PLEA WAS LESS THAN
       INTELLIGENT AND VOLUNTARY.

Case No. 20 JE 0001
                                                                                         –4–

      {¶8}   Appellant argues that his retained trial counsel rendered ineffective
assistance, thereby invalidating his guilty plea. Appellant claims his representatives
improperly advised him and alleges that a search warrant was required.

      “It is well-settled that in order to establish a claim of ineffective assistance
      of counsel, appellant must show two components: (1) counsel’s
      performance was deficient or unreasonable under the circumstances; and
      (2) the deficient performance prejudiced the defense.” State v. Price, 3d
      Dist. No. 13-05-03, 2006-Ohio-4192, ¶ 6, citing State v. Kole (2001), 92
      Ohio    St.3d   303,    306,    750    N.E.2d     148,    citing Strickland   v.
      Washington (1984), 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674.

      In the context of a guilty plea, the defendant must demonstrate that “there
      is a reasonable probability that, but for his counsel’s deficient or
      unreasonable performance, the defendant would not have pled guilty” and
      would have insisted on going to trial. Xie, 62 Ohio St.3d at 524, 584 N.E.2d
      715; citing Hill v. Lockhart (1985), 474 U.S. 52, 58-59, 106 S.Ct. 366, 88
      L.Ed.2d 203. See, also, State v. Schmidt, 3d Dist. No. 15-05-18, 2006-Ohio-
      2948, ¶ 32; State v. Dudas, 11th Dist. Nos.2007-L-140 and 2007-L-141,
      2008-Ohio-3262, ¶ 89.

State v. McQueen, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 08 MA 24, 2008-Ohio-6589, ¶ 15-16.

      Crim.R. 11(C) governs the procedure a trial court must follow before
      accepting a guilty plea in a felony case. Before the court can accept a guilty
      plea to a felony charge, it must conduct a colloquy with the defendant to
      determine that he understands the plea he is entering and the rights he is
      voluntarily waiving. Crim.R. 11(C)(2). A trial court must strictly comply with
      Crim.R. 11(C)(2) pertaining to the waiver of federal constitutional
      rights. State v. Martinez, 7th Dist. No. 03MA196, 2004-Ohio-6806, at ¶ 12.
      However, it need only substantially comply with Crim.R. 11(C)(2) pertaining
      to non-constitutional rights such as informing the defendant of “the nature
      of the charges with an understanding of the law in relation to the facts, the

Case No. 20 JE 0001
                                                                                           –5–

      maximum penalty, and that after entering a guilty plea or a no contest plea,
      the court may proceed to judgment and sentence.” Id., citing Crim.R.
      11(C)(2)(a)(b).

McQueen, supra, at ¶ 39.

      {¶9}   At the May 3, 2019 change of plea hearing, the following exchange took
place among the trial judge, the prosecutor, defense counsel, and Appellant:

      [PROSECUTOR]: Your Honor, may it please the Court, if there is a deal it
      will be that this Defendant withdraws his former plea of not guilty to the
      three-count indictment that was returned by the Jefferson County Grand
      Jury on February 6th, 2019 and enter a plea of guilty to each count in the
      indictment.

      The joint recommended sentence would be seven years, which is
      mandatory time. He will forfeit the $4,795 to the * * * Jefferson County Drug
      Task Force and he will waive all appellate rights.

      [DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Thank you, Your Honor. May it please the Court,
      Ivan has heard the offer. He understands the offer. He understands the
      Constitutional rights he would be waiving by entering a plea of guilty and at
      this time he would like to accept the offer. I’d like the Court to inquire please.

      THE COURT: So, Mr. Buggs did you hear all that?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

      THE COURT: And did you understand it all?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

      THE COURT: Follow it all?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes.

Case No. 20 JE 0001
                                                                                      –6–

      THE COURT: Have you had time enough to think about it?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes.

      ***

      THE COURT: [A]ctually that offer was made to you sometime ago?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes.

      THE COURT: How long ago?

      THE DEFENDANT: March 25th.

      ***

      THE COURT: Okay. So, you’ve had lots of time to think about it?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

      THE COURT: Do you need more time to think about it or are you satisfied
      that you fully understand everything?

      THE DEFENDANT: I understand everything.

      ***

      THE COURT: Okay. So, is that what you want to do?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

      THE COURT: Before I allow you to enter a plea of guilty I have to explain
      some things to you. First I have to tell you that you don’t have to plead
      guilty. You can go to trial on your plea of not guilty and we are happy to do
      that. Do you understand that?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

Case No. 20 JE 0001
                                                                                        –7–

      THE COURT: But by your plea of guilty you’re admitting guilt, you’re waiving
      or giving up whatever defenses you may have, you will be found guilty and
      sentenced today. Do you understand that?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

      THE COURT: I need to know that your new plea of guilty is being entered
      voluntarily. So, I’m going to ask you. Are you entering your new plea of
      guilty voluntarily?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes.

      THE COURT: Has anyone promised you anything other than what I’ve
      heard here in the courtroom today?

      THE DEFENDANT: No, sir.

      THE COURT: Has anyone threatened or coerced you in any way other than
      what I’ve heard here in the courtroom today?

      THE DEFENDANT: No, sir.

      THE COURT: Do you understand that even though there appears to be an
      agreed recommendation of sentence in this case for seven years in prison
      * * * I’m free to disregard that and sentence any way I want to consistent
      with these offenses. * * *

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

      ***

      THE COURT: Had this case gone to trial or if you wanted a trial and certainly
      at this point you could still have a trial, you would have a number of trial
      rights but by your plea of guilty you’re waiving or giving up all these rights.
      So, I want to explain some of them to you.

Case No. 20 JE 0001
                                                                                       –8–

      First and perhaps most important is your right to trial by jury which in this
      case means that there would have been 12 jurors who could not convict you
      unless they were unanimously convinced beyond a reasonable doubt of
      each element of each offense. Do you understand that?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

      ***

      THE COURT: And by your plea of guilty you’re waiving or giving up that
      right to trial by jury. Do you understand that?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

      ***

      THE COURT: You also have the right of confrontation of witnesses which
      is a twofold right. First it means that you personally would be present at
      each stage in the trial and, second, it means that you or your attorney would
      be given the opportunity to cross-examine each and every witness brought
      against you by the State of Ohio and all of that would happen in open court.
      Do you understand that?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

      THE COURT: But by your plea of guilty you’re waiving or giving up that right
      and there won’t even be a trial. Do you understand that?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

      THE COURT: You have the right of compulsory process which means you
      have the right to force or compel witnesses to come testify even if they don’t
      want to. * * * Do you understand that?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

Case No. 20 JE 0001
                                                                                       –9–

      THE COURT: But by your plea of guilty you’re waiving or giving up that right
      and there won’t even be a trial. Do you understand that?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

      THE COURT: You have the right to remain silent which means that you
      have the right to go through this entire process, including a trial if you
      wanted one, and no one could ever make you testify unless you wanted to.
      Do you understand that?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

      ***

      THE COURT: But by your plea of guilty you’re waiving or giving up that right
      to remain silent * * *. Do you understand that?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

      THE COURT: You have the right to Counsel which means that you have
      the right to be represented by an attorney through this entire process,
      including a trial if you wanted one. Do you understand that?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

      THE COURT: And if you could not afford an attorney, one would be
      appointed for you at no cost to you, which is I believe - - well, in this case
      your attorneys are retained; is that right? You paid them?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

      ***

      THE COURT: But by your plea of guilty you’re waiving or giving up that right
      and there won’t even be a trial. Do you understand that?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

Case No. 20 JE 0001
                                                                                        – 10 –

      ***

      THE COURT: Let’s talk about your attorneys for a minute. Have your
      attorneys done all of the things that you’ve asked them to do so far?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

      THE COURT: Is there anything that you would like for them to do or that
      you think ought to be done that’s not yet done, like talk to some witness, file
      some motion, explain something to you, anything at all?

      THE DEFENDANT: No, sir.

      THE COURT: Is there anything they’ve done that you wished they’d a (sic)
      done differently?

      THE DEFENDANT: No, sir.

      THE COURT: Is it fair to say that you’re satisfied with your representation
      so far?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

      THE COURT: Are there any questions that you have about anything that
      we’re doing here?

      THE DEFENDANT: No, sir.

      THE COURT: Are you sure?

      THE DEFENDANT: Positive.

      THE COURT: And how do you want to plead?

      THE DEFENDANT: Guilty.

Case No. 20 JE 0001
                                                                                        – 11 –

       THE COURT: Okay. Defendant has just signed his new plea of guilty here
       in open court. I find from the dialogue that I had with the Defendant that his
       new plea of guilty is knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently entered. It’s
       accepted. Defendant is found guilty of Counts One through Three and we
       move to sentencing. Anything additional?

       ***

       [DEFENSE COUNSEL]: * * * Ivan is prepared to waive his appellate rights.
       I’d just like the Court to inquire on that piece.

       THE COURT: Mr. Buggs, is that correct?

       THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

       THE COURT: You’re waiving your appellate rights?

       THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

(5/3/2019 Change of Plea Hearing T.p. 3-7, 9-10, 13-16, 18-20).

       {¶10} As evidenced in the foregoing colloquy and in the entire change of plea
hearing transcript, the trial court strictly complied with the constitutional requirements and
substantially complied with the non-constitutional requirements in Crim.R. 11(C).
       {¶11} Appellant was represented by counsel during the hearing. The trial court
explained to Appellant that by pleading guilty he would relinquish his constitutional rights
to a jury trial, to have the State prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, to confront
adverse witnesses, and to compel the attendance of witnesses he might wish to present
in his favor, and that he could not be compelled to testify against himself. The court also
explained to Appellant his non-constitutional rights, informing Appellant of the nature of
the charges against him and the maximum penalties involved, post-release control, and
that upon accepting his plea the court could proceed to judgment and sentencing.
       {¶12} Appellant indicated to the trial court that he understood he was waiving all
of these rights, acknowledging that he entered into a plea agreement which he signed
and that he wished to go forward. Appellant stated he had no questions and entered a

Case No. 20 JE 0001
                                                                                     – 12 –

plea of guilty. Thus, the court determined that Appellant’s plea was made freely and
voluntarily with full knowledge of the consequences. Appellant “was afforded all rights
pursuant to Criminal Rules 11 and 32.” (5/10/2019 Judgment Entry, p. 1).
       {¶13} Contrary to Appellant’s assertion, no search warrant was required in this
case. As stated, Appellant was on post-release control from a prior prison term and,
pursuant to the conditions of supervision, agreed to a warrantless search of his person,
residence, and vehicle. (State’s Exhibits A and B). The Adult Parole Authority had
reasonable suspicion to conduct a warrantless search based on the numerous complaints
it had received regarding drug trafficking from Appellant’s residence.
       {¶14} The record is devoid of any ill advice or false information given to Appellant
by his retained counsel. Appellant’s crimes exposed him to over 14 years in prison. With
his representatives’ assistance, Appellant agreed to a jointly recommended sentence of
only seven years. During the Crim.R. 11 colloquy, Appellant clearly stated he was
satisfied with his counsels’ representation.
       {¶15} Because all of the Crim.R. 11 requirements were satisfied, Appellant’s guilty
plea was knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently made. The record before us does not
reveal that Appellant’s trial counsel were ineffective.           Pursuant to Strickland,
supra, Appellant fails to show that his trial counsels’ performance was deficient and that
the deficient performance prejudiced the defense.
       {¶16} Appellant’s first assignment of error is without merit.

                            ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 2

       THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION IN DENYING REQUEST
       TO WITHDRAW PLEA WITHOUT HEARING.

       {¶17} Appellant contends the trial court abused its discretion in denying his pro se
post-sentence motion to withdraw his guilty plea without a hearing, thereby failing to
correct a manifest injustice.

       An appellate court reviews the disposition of a motion to withdraw a guilty
       plea for an abuse of discretion. State v. Carabello, 17 Ohio St.3d 66, 67,
       477 N.E.2d 627 (1985). “Abuse of discretion means an error in judgment

Case No. 20 JE 0001
                                                                                        – 13 –

      involving a decision that is unreasonable based upon the record; that the
      appellate court merely may have reached a different result is not
      enough.” State v. Dixon, 7th Dist. No. 10 MA 185, 2013-Ohio-2951, ¶ 21.

State v. Brewer, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 14 MA 0127, 2016-Ohio-3224, ¶ 10.

      A motion to withdraw a plea of guilty or no contest may be made only before
      sentence is imposed; but to correct manifest injustice the court after
      sentence may set aside the judgment of conviction and permit the
      defendant to withdraw his or her plea. Crim.R. 32.1. When a defendant
      seeks to withdraw a guilty plea after the trial court imposed a sentence, the
      defendant bears the burden of establishing the existence of a manifest
      injustice. State v. Smith, 49 Ohio St.2d 261, 264, 361 N.E.2d 1324 (1977).
      Post-sentence plea withdrawal is allowable only in an extraordinary
      case. Id.

State v. Devine, 7th Dist. Columbiana No. 17 CO 0013, 2019-Ohio-778, ¶ 18.

      A hearing on the motion must be held only if the facts alleged by the
      defendant, accepted as true, would require that the defendant be allowed
      to withdraw the plea. State v. Brooks, 7th Dist. No. 04 MA 240, 2005-Ohio-
      5058, ¶ 9. But, the trial court’s decision whether to hold a hearing is granted
      deference. State v. Toda, 7th Dist. No. 13 MA 44, 2014-Ohio-943, ¶ 10.

Brewer, supra, at ¶ 8; see also State v. James, 7th Dist. Jefferson No. 18 JE 0017,
2019-Ohio-4237, ¶ 6.

      {¶18} A sentence jointly recommended by the defendant and the State in a
criminal case, and imposed by the trial judge, is not reviewable on appeal.              R.C.
2953.08(D); State v. Coleman, 10th Dist. Franklin Nos. 03AP-219, 03AP-220, 2003-Ohio-
7234, ¶ 11. However, an appellate court can review the validity of the plea leading to the
jointly recommended sentence. See generally James, supra, at ¶ 7.
      {¶19} This is no extraordinary case and Appellant fails to establish the existence
of a manifest injustice. As fully addressed in his first assignment of error, Appellant’s

Case No. 20 JE 0001
                                                                                     – 14 –

guilty plea was knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently made, and he received effective
assistance of counsel. As stated, the record before us reveals that Appellant signed a
change of plea form and “was afforded all rights pursuant to Criminal Rules 11 and 32.”
(5/10/2019 Judgment Entry, p. 1). Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its discretion
in denying Appellant’s pro se post-sentence motion to withdraw his guilty plea without a
hearing because he failed to establish that a manifest injustice occurred during the plea-
bargaining process, or for any other reason. See Brewer, supra, at ¶ 21.
         {¶20} Appellant’s second assignment of error is without merit.

                                      CONCLUSION

         {¶21} For the foregoing reasons, Appellant’s assignments of error are not well-
taken.      The judgment of the Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas denying
Appellant’s pro se post-sentence motion to withdraw his guilty plea without a hearing is
affirmed.

Waite, P.J., concurs.

Robb, J., concurs.

Case No. 20 JE 0001
[Cite as State v. Buggs, 2020-Ohio-4143.]

         For the reasons stated in the Opinion rendered herein, the assignments of error
 are overruled and it is the final judgment and order of this Court that the judgment of
 the Court of Common Pleas of Jefferson County, Ohio, is affirmed. Costs to be taxed
 against the Appellant.
         A certified copy of this opinion and judgment entry shall constitute the mandate
 in this case pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure. It is ordered that
 a certified copy be sent by the clerk to the trial court to carry this judgment into
 execution.

                                        NOTICE TO COUNSEL

         This document constitutes a final judgment entry.