Jesslyn Powell v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.)

• Court: Indiana Court of Appeals
• Decided: September 30, 2019
• Docket: 19A-CR-809
• Status: Published

Opinion

MEMORANDUM DECISION Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this Memorandum Decision shall not be FILED regarded as precedent or cited before any Sep 30 2019, 10:59 am

court except for the purpose of establishing CLERK Indiana Supreme Court the defense of res judicata, collateral Court of Appeals and Tax Court estoppel, or the law of the case.

ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE R. Patrick Magrath Curtis T. Hill, Jr. Alcorn Sage Schwartz & Magrath, LLP Attorney General of Indiana Madison, Indiana Sierra A. Murray Deputy Attorney General Indianapolis, Indiana

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

Jesslyn Powell, September 30, 2019 Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No. 19A-CR-809 v. Appeal from the Jefferson Circuit Court State of Indiana, The Honorable Steven M. Fleece, Appellee-Plaintiff Senior Judge Trial Court Cause No. 39C01-1808-F3-866

Crone, Judge.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-809 | September 30, 2019 Page 1 of 8 Case Summary [1] Jesslyn Powell appeals her nine-year sentence imposed by the trial court

following her guilty plea to level 3 felony conspiracy to deal methamphetamine.

She argues that her sentence is inappropriate in light of the nature of the offense

and her character. Finding that Powell has not met her burden of

demonstrating that her sentence is inappropriate, we affirm.

Facts and Procedural History [2] On August 17, 2018, Powell facilitated a purchase of a half-ounce of

methamphetamine between her co-conspirator, Robert Taylor, and her

distributor in Louisville, Kentucky. Taylor desired to purchase the half-ounce,

and Powell knew that her distributor in Louisville dealt in large amounts of

methamphetamine. Powell and Taylor drove to Louisville and made the

purchase. On their way back from Louisville, Taylor immediately sold a

quarter of an ounce to a person in Clark County, Indiana. Afterwards, Powell

and Taylor returned to a home where Taylor had been staying in Jefferson

County. According to the probable cause affidavit, the Madison Police

Department executed a search warrant at the home regarding a

methamphetamine investigation. Powell, Taylor, and another female were

inside. During the search of the home, officers found 9.2 grams of

methamphetamine, multiple bags used to package methamphetamine for sale,

digital scales, 59 Alprazolam pills, drug paraphernalia, and a plastic tub that

contained crystalline pieces that tested positive for methamphetamine. Powell

was subsequently arrested, and a search of her purse revealed a set of digital

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-809 | September 30, 2019 Page 2 of 8 scales and clear baggies containing a crystalline substance. Appellant’s App.

Vol. 2 at 15-16.

[3] The State charged Powell with level 3 felony dealing in methamphetamine,

level 3 felony conspiracy to deal methamphetamine, level 5 felony possession of

methamphetamine, class A misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance,

and class C misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia. In September 2018,

pursuant to a written plea agreement, Powell pled guilty to the conspiracy

charge, and the State agreed to drop the other charges. The plea agreement left

sentencing to the trial court’s discretion. Pursuant to the plea agreement,

Powell waived her right to challenge her sentence under Indiana Appellate Rule

7(B). Id. at 46. However, during the guilty plea hearing, the trial court

informed Powell, that she could appeal her sentence, without any objections

from either party’s counsel.1 Powell also signed an addendum to the plea

agreement in which she agreed to work as a confidential informant for the

Indiana State Police in exchange for her release from jail. Powell failed to

abide by the terms of the addendum. During sentencing, the trial court found

no compelling aggravating or mitigating circumstances but did note Powell’s

past convictions for possession of cocaine, marijuana, and narcotic drugs. The

trial court sentenced Powell to nine years executed. This appeal ensued.

1 Consequently, the waiver provision in the plea agreement was a nullity. See Ricci v. State, 894 N.E.2d 1089, 1093-94 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008) (finding that Ricci did not surrender right to appeal his sentence notwithstanding waiver provision in plea agreement when trial court clearly stated at plea hearing, without any objection from either party’s counsel, that Ricci could appeal his sentence), trans. denied.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-809 | September 30, 2019 Page 3 of 8 Discussion and Decision [4] Powell requests that we reduce her sentence pursuant to Indiana Appellate Rule

7(B), which provides that we “may revise a sentence authorized by statute if,

after due consideration of the trial court’s decision, [we] find that the sentence is

inappropriate in light of the nature of the offense and the character of the

offender.” “Sentence review under Appellate Rule 7(B) is very deferential to

the trial court.” Conley v. State, 972 N.E.2d 864, 876 (Ind. 2012). “Such

deference should prevail unless overcome by compelling evidence portraying in

a positive light the nature of the offense (such as accompanied by restraint,

regard, and lack of brutality) and the defendant’s character (such as substantial

virtuous traits or persistent examples of good character).” Stephenson v. State, 29

N.E.3d 111, 122 (Ind. 2015). The principal role of appellate review is to

attempt to “leaven the outliers[.]” Cardwell v. State, 895 N.E.2d 1219, 1225 (Ind.

2008). “We do not look to determine if the sentence was appropriate; instead

we look to make sure the sentence was not inappropriate.” Conley, 972 N.E.2d

at 876.

[5] Regarding the nature of the offense, “the advisory sentence is the starting point

the Legislature has selected as an appropriate sentence for the crime

committed.” Anglemyer v. State, 868 N.E.2d 482, 494 (Ind. 2007), clarified on

reh’g, 875 N.E.2d 218. The sentencing range for a level 3 felony is between three

and sixteen years, with an advisory sentence of nine years. Ind. Code § 35-50-2-

5(b). As stated above, the trial court imposed a sentence of nine years. “[T]he

defendant bears a particularly heavy burden in persuading us that [her] sentence

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-809 | September 30, 2019 Page 4 of 8 is inappropriate when the trial court imposes the advisory sentence.” Fernbach

v. State, 954 N.E.2d 1080, 1089 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011), trans denied.

[6] When reviewing the nature of the offense, this Court considers the “details and

circumstances surrounding the offense and the defendant’s participation

therein.” Morris v. State, 114 N.E.3d 531, 539 (Ind. Ct. App. 2018), trans. denied

(2019). Powell first contends that the nature of the offense did not warrant the

sentence she received because her involvement in the crime was “limited to

assisting a local dealer in arranging a transaction with a drug distributor.”

Appellant’s Br. at 10. Powell downplays the seriousness of her involvement in

the offense. Here, Powell knew that her distributor in Kentucky dealt in large

quantities of methamphetamine. Powell not only facilitated the drug

transaction but also participated in the purchase of the half an ounce of

methamphetamine. She also had knowledge that Taylor immediately sold a

quarter of an ounce of methamphetamine in Indiana. Powell was at a house

where Taylor was staying when police officers executed a search warrant and

found 9.2 grams of methamphetamine, narcotics, digital scales and baggies

used to package and sell methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and crystalline

pieces that tested positive for methamphetamine. After Powell was arrested, a

search of her purse revealed digital scales and baggies containing crystalline

substances, which indicates an active role in the deadly methamphetamine

trade.

[7] Powell also claims that her offense “did not involve any harm or intent to cause

harm to any other person.” Id. We disagree. As the trial court pointed out

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-809 | September 30, 2019 Page 5 of 8 during sentencing, “you’ve been on the bad guy side in this struggle that we

have in our society in trying to get rid of [drugs]” and “by helping in the

distribution of [drugs] you’ve hurt other folks.” Tr. Vol. 2 at 61. Clearly, the

nature of the offense does not support a reduction of Powell’s sentence.

[8] With respect to Powell’s character, we note that “[t]he character of the offender

is found in what we learn of the offender’s life and conduct.” Perry v. State, 78

N.E.3d 1, 13 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017). “The significance of a criminal history in

assessing a defendant’s character and an appropriate sentence varies based on

the gravity, nature, and number of prior offenses in relation to the current

offense.” Rutherford v. State, 866 N.E.2d 867, 874 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007).

Powell’s criminal history includes convictions for illegal consumption of

alcohol, two convictions for operating a vehicle without a license, operating a

vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, operating a vehicle with an

ACE of .15 or more, and possession of marijuana, cocaine, and narcotic drugs.

She also had her probation revoked for nonreporting. Appellant’s App. Vol. 2

at 58-59.

[9] Powell contends that she took responsibility and pled guilty to the “top count

she was charged with.” Appellant’s Br. at 10. While Powell did plead guilty,

she received a significant benefit in doing so. Powell faced almost forty years in

prison. As a result of the plea agreement, the State dismissed two felony and

two misdemeanor charges. While we commend Powell for twelve years of

sobriety, unfortunately, she went back to using and distributing illegal drugs

and continues to surround herself with others who do the same. In fact,

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-809 | September 30, 2019 Page 6 of 8 between Powell’s guilty plea and sentencing hearings, her live-in boyfriend,

who has an extensive criminal record, was arrested in their home for dealing

marijuana and possessing hypodermic needles that tested positive for

methamphetamine. Appellant’s Br. at 12; Tr. Vol. 2 at 53. This belies Powell’s

purported desire to “avoid people associated with illegal drug activity.” Id.

[10] Powell also emphasizes that she offered to assist law enforcement in controlled

buys from known drug dealers. Powell signed an addendum to her plea

agreement which allowed her to be released from jail in exchange for her

assistance. However, according to Indiana State Police Detective Mark

Jenkins, communication on setting up drug buys was difficult with Powell, and

sometimes days would go by before she would respond to him. Tr. Vol. 2 at 44,

51. Detective Jenkins indicated that after five months, Powell failed to assist

them with completing drug buys. Powell argues that she “made efforts to set up

buys but they did not coincide with law enforcement’s timelines.” Appellant’s

Br. at 12. Powell admitted that she “could have tried hard[er]” but that she

“would get frustrated … had no life … and couldn’t do anything because law

enforcement wanted her to talk to a dealer every single day.” Tr. Vol. 2 at 25,

34. Powell had an opportunity to work with law enforcement to eliminate or

reduce drug dealing in the community. We agree with the State that she made

the agreement with law enforcement in order to get out of jail and not to help

with the pervasive drug problem affecting the community. Powell’s behavior

does not reflect positively on her character.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-809 | September 30, 2019 Page 7 of 8 [11] In sum, Powell has not persuaded us that her sentence is inappropriate in light

of the nature of the offense or her character. Accordingly, we affirm.

[12] Affirmed.

Baker, J., and Kirsch, J., concur.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-809 | September 30, 2019 Page 8 of 8