Brandin C. Wilson v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.)

• Court: Indiana Court of Appeals
• Decided: October 23, 2019
• Docket: 19A-CR-538
• Status: Published

Opinion

MEMORANDUM DECISION Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), FILED this Memorandum Decision shall not be Oct 23 2019, 10:12 am regarded as precedent or cited before any CLERK court except for the purpose of establishing Indiana Supreme Court Court of Appeals the defense of res judicata, collateral and Tax Court

estoppel, or the law of the case.

ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE A. David Hutson Curtis T. Hill, Jr. Jeffersonville, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana Josiah Swinney Deputy Attorney General Indianapolis, Indiana

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

Brandin C. Wilson, October 23, 2019 Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No. 19A-CR-538 v. Appeal from the Clark Circuit Court State of Indiana, The Honorable Andrew Adams, Appellee-Plaintiff. Judge Trial Court Cause No. 10C01-1704-F1-1

Riley, Judge.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-538 | October 23, 2019 Page 1 of 13 STATEMENT OF THE CASE [1] Appellant-Defendant, Brandin Wilson (Wilson), appeals his sentence following

his guilty plea to two Counts of child molesting, Level 1 felonies, Ind. Code §

35-42-4-3(a)(1); and one Count of child molesting, a Level 4 felony, I.C. § 35-

42-4-3(b)

[2] We affirm, in part, reverse, in part, and remand with instructions.

ISSUES [3] Wilson presents two issues on appeal, which we restate as:

(1) Whether Wilson’s sentence is inappropriate in light of the nature of the

offenses and his character; and

(2) Whether Wilson’s sentence for the Level 4 felony child molesting

conviction exceeds the maximum sentence authorized by law.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY [4] On April 8, 2017, Wilson left home in Jeffersonville, Indiana with his thirteen-

year-old stepdaughter, L.M. Wilson told L.M.’s mother that he was going to a

nearby liquor store with L.M. Instead, Wilson drove L.M. to another location,

fondled her, and then had sexual intercourse with her in the back of his van.

When L.M.’s mother became suspicious because the trip was taking long, she

called Wilson. Wilson stated that the delay was due to the fact that he could

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-538 | October 23, 2019 Page 2 of 13 not locate his wallet. After being gone for two hours, L.M.’s mother found

Wilson’s wallet at home. Inside Wilson’s wallet, L.M.’s mother found “a

sexual agreement” dated February 13, 2017, between Wilson and L.M. which

stated in part, “if anyone [sic] of us backs [out] then there will be serious

consequences for the one who backs out of the deal.” (Appellant’s App. Conf.

Vol. II, p. 21). Included in the agreement were “sexual stipulations” that L.M.

had to “meet on a weekly basis.” (Appellant’s App. Conf. Vol. II, p. 21). In

exchange for the sexual acts, the agreement specified “payment” to L.M. in the

form of “rewards.” (Appellant’s App. Conf. Vol. II, p. 21).

[5] The following day, after Wilson had left for work, L.M.’s mother took L.M. to

the hospital. After the hospital visit, L.M. and her mother went to the

Jeffersonville Police Department. L.M. informed the police and the

Department of Child Services that while the sexual agreement was dated

February 13, 2017, the “sexual contact with [] [Wilson] had been on-going for

several years.” (Appellant’s App. Conf. Vol. II, p. 21). Wilson was later

arrested and questioned. At first, Wilson denied engaging in any sexual acts

with L.M., however, he subsequently admitted to having sexual intercourse

with L.M. in the van on April 7, 2017, and to writing the sexual agreement.

[6] On April 13, 2017, the State filed an Information, charging Wilson with Level 1

felony child molesting and Level 4 felony child molesting. On August 11, 2017,

the State filed an amended Information, adding two Counts of Class A felony

child molesting and four Counts of Level 1 felony child molesting.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-538 | October 23, 2019 Page 3 of 13 [7] On November 15, 2018, Wilson entered into a “blind plea,” whereby he agreed

to plead guilty to two Counts of Level 1 felony child molesting and one Count

of Level 4 felony child molesting. (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 119). In

exchange, the State agreed to dismiss the remaining charges, two Class A

felonies and three Level 1 felonies. The parties also agreed to cap Wilson’s

sentence at eighty-five years. The trial court subsequently ordered a

presentence investigation report (PSI).

[8] On January 31, 2019, the trial court conducted a sentencing hearing, and for

unknown reasons, the sentencing record was not saved. On February 22, 2019,

the trial court conducted another sentencing hearing for purposes of

formulating a record. After accepting his guilty plea, the trial court determined

that the aggravating factors included that Wilson had violated a position of trust

and that he had threatened L.M. to ensure her silence. The trial court found it

mitigating that Wilson had a limited criminal history, and he had taken

responsibility by pleading guilty. The trial court then sentenced Wilson to

consecutive forty-year sentences with five years suspended to probation for the

two Level 1 felonies, and to a concurrent eighteen-year sentence with three

years suspended to probation for the Level 4 felony conviction. Wilson’s

aggregate sentence is eighty years.

[9] Wilson now appeals. Additional facts will be provided as necessary.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-538 | October 23, 2019 Page 4 of 13 DISCUSSION AND DECISION I. Inappropriate Sentence

[10] Wilson argues that his aggregate eighty-year sentence for his two Level 1 felony

and one Level 4 felony child molesting convictions is inappropriate.

Specifically, he contends that his consecutive sentences were inappropriate

because he had no prior criminal convictions, he pleaded guilty, and he did not

physically harm L.M.

[11] We may revise a sentence if it is inappropriate in light of the nature of the

offense and the character of the offender. Ind. Appellate Rule 7(B). The

defendant has the burden of persuading us that his sentence is inappropriate.

Childress v. State, 848 N.E.2d 1073, 1080 (Ind. 2006). The principal role of a

Rule 7(B) review “should be to attempt to leaven the outliers and identify some

guiding principles for trial courts and those charged with improvement of the

sentencing statutes, but not to achieve a perceived ‘correct’ result in each case.”

Cardwell v. State, 895 N.E.2d 1219, 1225 (Ind. 2008). “Appellate Rule 7(B)

analysis is not to determine whether another sentence is more appropriate but

rather whether the sentence imposed is inappropriate.” Conley v. State, 972

N.E.2d 864, 876 (Ind. 2012) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted),

reh’g denied. Whether a sentence is inappropriate turns on “the culpability of the

defendant, the severity of the crime, the damage done to others, and a myriad

of other factors that come to light in a given case.” Cardwell, 895 N.E.2d at

1224.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-538 | October 23, 2019 Page 5 of 13 [12] When determining whether a sentence is inappropriate, we acknowledge that

the advisory sentence “is the starting point the Legislature has selected as an

appropriate sentence for the crime committed.” Childress, 848 N.E.2d at 1081.

For his Level 1 felony child molesting offenses, Wilson faced a sentencing

range of twenty to forty years, with the advisory sentence being thirty years.

I.C. § 35-50-2-4. The trial court sentenced Wilson to consecutive forty-year

terms, with ten years suspended to probation, for the two Level 1 felonies. For

his Level 4 felony child molesting conviction, Wilson faced a sentencing range

of two to twelve years, with the advisory sentence being six years. I.C. § 35-50-

2-5.5. The trial court sentenced Wilson to a concurrent sentence of eighteen

years with three years suspended to probation, for an aggregate sentence of

eighty years. 1

[13] Regarding the nature of Wilson’s offenses, on April 8, 2017, while Wilson was

having sexual intercourse with L.M. in the back of his van, L.M.’s mother

found a sexual agreement in Wilson’s wallet indicating that Wilson and L.M.

had an ongoing sexual relationship. The agreement contained sexual

stipulations which L.M. had to meet on a weekly basis, and in exchange for the

sexual acts, Wilson offered payments in the form of rewards. The sexual

agreement also threatened “serious consequences” if L.M. failed to attain her

weekly target. (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 22). While the agreement was

dated February 13, 2017, when L.M. was questioned by the police about the

1 This sentence exceed the statutory limits, and we will address that issue in the section below.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-538 | October 23, 2019 Page 6 of 13 abuse, L.M. stated that it had been going on for years. It appears that Wilson

began having sexual intercourse with L.M. when she was about nine years old,

and it lasted for nearly four and one-half years before the abuse was detected.

[14] As for his character, we note that Wilson maintained steady employment prior

to being charged with the instant offenses. Wilson’s friends and family also

attested to his positive character traits. While the trial court noted that Wilson’s

criminal history was limited, Wilson had been previously charged with sexual

misconduct with a minor in 2002, albeit those charges had been dismissed.

This indeed reflects poorly on Wilson’s character. See Cotto v. State, 829 N.E.2d

520, 526 (Ind. 2005) (holding that while a record of arrests may not be used as

evidence of criminal history, it can be “relevant to the trial court’s assessment of

the defendant’s character in terms of the risk that he will commit another

crime.”). While it is true that Wilson accepted responsibility for his actions by

pleading guilty, Wilson obtained a significant benefit by doing so. As noted,

Wilson had been charged with two other Class A felonies, and three Level 1

felonies. In exchange for his plea, the State dismissed those charges.

Furthermore, Wilson’s potential sentencing exposure was further limited by the

terms of his plea agreement which capped his sentence at eighty-five years. The

trial court sentenced Wilson in accordance with this agreement, imposing an

aggregate term of less than the maximum permitted under the terms of the

agreement.

[15] Nevertheless, Wilson attempts to minimize the nature of his offenses by arguing

that the molestations were directed to one victim. Therefore, he suggests that

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-538 | October 23, 2019 Page 7 of 13 the imposition of consecutive sentences was inappropriate and cites cases where

this court and our supreme court have revised consecutive sentences to

concurrent sentences where the sentences for child molesting convictions

involved the same victim. In particular, Wilson relies on Monroe v. State, 886

N.E.2d 578 (Ind. 2008), Harris v. State, 897 N.E.2d, 927 (Ind. 2008), and Laster

v. State, 918 N.E.2d, 428 (Ind. 2003).

[16] In Monroe v. State, 886 N.E.2d 578 (Ind. 2008), Monroe was convicted of five

Counts of Class A felony child molesting. Id. The trial court sentenced him to

twenty-two years on each Count with two years suspended to probation and

ordered the sentences to be served consecutively for an aggregate sentence of

100 years. Id. In considering the nature of the offenses on appeal, our supreme

court noted that Monroe was in a position of trust with his victim and molested

the child repeatedly for over two years. Id. at 580. However, the court also

observed that the five Counts were identical and involved the same child. Id.

Regarding Monroe’s character, the court noted that although he had a prior

criminal history, all of his convictions were driving related, so his criminal

history did not justify the imposition of consecutive sentences. Id. Based on

these facts and circumstances, the supreme court concluded that the nature of

the offenses and Monroe’s character warranted enhanced, but not consecutive,

sentences. Id. at 581. The supreme court revised Monroe’s sentence to a

maximum fifty-year term for each of the five Counts but ordered that they be

served concurrently. Id.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-538 | October 23, 2019 Page 8 of 13 [17] In Harris v. State, 897 N.E.2d 927 (Ind. 2008), the defendant was convicted of

two Counts of child molesting, Class A felonies, and was sentenced to

consecutive terms of fifty years on each Count. Three aggravators were present

in Harris: (1) the defendant was in a position of trust; (2) the defendant

committed multiple acts of sexual misconduct other than the crimes charged;

and (3) the defendant’s criminal history. Our supreme court found “the

ongoing nature of Harris’s crimes coupled with his position of trust sufficiently

aggravating to justify enhanced sentences.” Id. at 930. However, the court also

observed that the two Counts of child molestation were identical and involved

the same child. Id. And although the defendant had a criminal history, the

court found that history sufficiently different in nature and gravity such that it

was not a significant aggravator. Id. In the end, our supreme court held the

aggravating circumstances were sufficient to warrant enhanced sentences but

not consecutive ones, and the court revised the defendant’s sentence to fifty

years on each Count to be served concurrently. Id.

[18] Finally, in Laster v. State, 918 N.E.2d, 428 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009), Laster was

convicted of two Counts of child molesting, Class A felonies, and four Counts

of child molesting, Class C felonies. Id. at 430. The trial court found the

following mitigating circumstances: (1) that a lengthy incarceration would

place a burden on Laster’s family; and (2) Laster had no criminal history. Id. at

432. The trial court, however, imposed consecutive thirty-year sentences for

each of the two Class A felony child molesting convictions, and four-year terms

for each of the four Class C felony convictions, with one of those terms to be

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-538 | October 23, 2019 Page 9 of 13 served consecutively and the remainder to be served concurrently with the

remaining terms, for an aggregate sentence of sixty-four years. Id. On appeal,

this court found that the circumstances in Laster warranted a similar result to

that reached by our supreme court in Harris. Id. We determined given that

Laster’s lack of criminal history and steady employment together with the facts

that there was one victim and no uncharged sexual misconduct, his consecutive

sentences were inappropriate. Id. Thus, we revised Laster’s sentences to

concurrent terms of thirty-six years on each of the two Class A felony

convictions and six years on each of the four class C felony convictions. Id.

[19] In response, the State argues that Wilson’s threat to force L.M. into submission

and silence, sets Wilson’s case apart from Harris, Monroe, and Laster. In Ludack

v State, 967 N.E.2d 41,49 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012), we noted that “[w]hether the

counts involve one or multiple victims is highly relevant to the decision to

impose consecutive sentences if for no other reason than to preserve potential

deterrence of subsequent offenses. Similarly, additional criminal activity

directed to the same victim should not be free of consequences.” (citing

Cardwell, 895 N.E.2d at 1225.) Here, one of the factors cited in Ludack,

additional criminal activity directed to the same victim, is relevant in the

present case. The record shows that in 2017, Wilson’s abuse of L.M. was

accompanied by threats, as evidenced by the sexual agreement drafted by

Wilson in February 2017. Such threats were reprehensible attempts by Wilson

to control L.M. and to maintain L.M.’s silence as he continued to molest her.

There is no indication that the molestation otherwise would have stopped, and

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-538 | October 23, 2019 Page 10 of 13 it only stopped after he was detected. At sentencing, the trial court discussed

the fact that Wilson had threatened L.M. when it discussed the undisputed

position of trust aggravating circumstance and in reference to the nature and

circumstances of the crimes.

[20] In 2002, Wilson was charged with two Counts of sexual misconduct with a

minor, however, those charges were later dismissed. We find that Wilson’s

past criminal history, even though limited, separates his case from the cited

cases since Wilson’s prior criminal record relates to sexual offenses. For

instance, in Laster, Laster had no criminal history. Laster, 918 N.E.2d at 436.

In Monroe, Monroe’s criminal history consisted only of driving-related offenses.

Monroe, 886 N.E.2d at 580. Finally, in Harris, our supreme court observed that

while Harris had a criminal history, none of them were prior sex offenses and

that factor warranted a reduced sentence—two Class D felony theft convictions

and numerous driving traffic violations. Harris, 897 N.E.2d at 930.

[21] Wilson’s preying upon his stepdaughter spanned close to half a decade. He

robbed a young, innocent girl of her childhood and forced her to experience

things that no child should experience. Wilson also made L.M. sign an

agreement where she stipulated to meeting Wilson’s sexual needs on a weekly

basis. All things considered, we cannot say that Wilson’s eighty-year aggregate

sentence is inappropriate in light of the nature of the offenses and his character.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-538 | October 23, 2019 Page 11 of 13 II. Level 4 Felony Sentence

[22] Lastly, Wilson argues, and the State concedes, that the trial court erred by

sentencing him in excess of the statutory maximum sentence for a Level 4

felony. A sentence that is contrary to or violative of a penalty mandated by

statute is illegal in the sense that it is without statutory authorization. A

sentence that exceeds statutory authority constitutes fundamental error.” Reffett

v. State, 844 N.E.2d 1072, 1073 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006) (citations omitted).

[23] For his Level 4 felony child molesting conviction, Wilson faced a sentencing

range of two to twelve years, with the advisory sentence being six years. I.C. §

35-50-2-5.5. The trial court sentenced Wilson to a concurrent eighteen-year

sentence with three years suspended to probation. This is an illegal sentence

since it is in excess of the statutory maximum, i.e., three years above the

maximum sentence for a Level 4 felony. Thus, we reverse the sentence

imposed, and remand to the trial court for a sentencing order that does not

exceed the statutory maximum.

CONCLUSION [24] Based on the foregoing, we conclude that the eighty-year aggregate sentence is

not inappropriate considering the nature of the offenses and his character.

Further, we conclude that Wilson’s Level 4 felony sentence exceeds the

statutory maximum, therefore we reverse, and we remand to the trial court to

enter a sentence that does not exceed the statutory maximum.

[25] Affirmed, in part, reversed, in part, and remanded with instructions.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-538 | October 23, 2019 Page 12 of 13 [26] Vaidik, C. J. and Bradford, J. concur

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-538 | October 23, 2019 Page 13 of 13