John M. Skorvanek v, State of Indiana (mem. dec.)

• Court: Indiana Court of Appeals
• Decided: June 20, 2017
• Docket: 58A01-1612-CR-2879
• 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 Jun 20 2017, 9:38 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 Leanna Weissmann Curtis T. Hill, Jr. Lawrenceburg, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana

Justin F. Roebel Supervising Deputy Attorney General Indianapolis, Indiana

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

John M. Skorvanek, June 20, 2017 Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No. 58A01-1612-CR-2879 v. Appeal from the Ohio Circuit Court State of Indiana, The Honorable James D. Appellee-Plaintiff. Humphrey, Judge The Honorable Kimberly A. Schmaltz, Magistrate Trial Court Cause No. 58C01-1206-CM-57

Bradford, Judge.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 58A01-1612-CR-2879 | June 20, 2017 Page 1 of 10 Case Summary [1] On June 18, 2012, Appellant-Defendant John M. Skorvanek was observed

driving away from the Rising Star Casino and Resort in an erratic fashion.

Skorvanek was soon thereafter stopped by police. The police administered two

field sobriety tests (“FSTs”), both of which Skorvanek failed. Skorvanek

submitted to a portable breathalyzer test (a “PBT”), the results of which

indicated that Skorvanek’s blood alcohol content (“BAC”) was above the legal

limit. He subsequently submitted to a certified breath test, the results of which

also indicated that Skorvanek’s BAC was above the legal limit.

[2] The next day, on June 19, 2012, Appellee-Plaintiff the State of Indiana (“the

State”) charged Skorvanek with Class A misdemeanor operating a vehicle while

intoxicated endangering a person and Class C misdemeanor operating a vehicle

with a BAC over 0.08. The State also alleged that Skorvanek was a habitual

offender. Following a bench trial, the trial court found Skorvanek guilty,

merged the Class C misdemeanor charge into the Class A misdemeanor, found

Skorvanek to be a habitual offender, and imposed an aggregate nine-year

sentence.

[3] On appeal, Skorvanek contends that his sentence is inappropriate in light of the

nature of his offense and his character. Concluding otherwise, we affirm.

Facts and Procedural History

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 58A01-1612-CR-2879 | June 20, 2017 Page 2 of 10 [4] On June 18, 2012, Skorvanek and a female companion were “cut off for

drinking” at the Rising Star Casino and Resort. Tr. Vol. II, p. 12. Trisha

Schwing, a Gaming Enforcement Agent employed by the Indiana Gaming

Commission and stationed at the Rising Star Casino, then observed Skorvanek

and his companion exit the casino and approach a minivan. As Skorvanek’s

companion “got into” the minivan, Skorvanek “opened the back of the minivan

and pulled a cooler out and opened a couple of beers and then got into” the

minivan and drove away. Tr. Vol. II, p. 12. Schwing then “called Ohio

County dispatch and advised them” of what she had observed. Tr. Vol. II, p.

13.

[5] Rising Sun Police Sergeant Frank McIntosh observed as the minivan in

question1 “was leaving the casino property and entering State Route 56.” Tr.

Vol. II, p. 15. Sergeant McIntosh observed the minivan “swerving in and out of

the lane” and driving “halfway on the right shoulder [i.e., the emergency lane]

of the highway.” Tr. Vol. II, pp. 15, 16 (bracketed information added).

Sergeant McIntosh observed the minivan for “about a quarter of a mile,”

watching it travel “back and forth from the centerline over to the right

shoulder.” Tr. Vol. II, p. 16. Just as Sergeant McIntosh activated his lights, the

driver of the minivan “made a left turn into a driveway at a residence.” Tr. Vol.

1 Sergeant McIntosh identified the minivan by both the vehicle’s color and license plate number.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 58A01-1612-CR-2879 | June 20, 2017 Page 3 of 10 II, p. 16. At the time, Sergeant McIntosh was familiar with the individuals who

lived at the residence and knew that they did not own a similar minivan.

[6] Skorvanek then exited the vehicle, at which time Sergeant McIntosh observed

that Skorvanek, and not his female companion, had been driving the minivan.

As Skorvanek was approaching the residence, Sergeant McIntosh “spoke with

[Skorvanek], asked him where he was going.” Tr. Vol. II, p. 17. Skorvanek

“came back and kind of used the van to lean on.” Tr. Vol. II, p. 17.

[7] Sergeant McIntosh and Skorvanek “met about halfway” between the residence

and the minivan. Tr. Vol. II, p. 17. From his position about four feet from

Skorvanek, Sergeant McIntosh could smell “a strong odor of alcoholic

beverages coming from [Skorvanek’s] person.” Tr. Vol. II, p. 17. About this

time, Rising Sun Police Officer Wayne Siekman arrived on the scene. When

Officer Siekman approached Skorvanek, he could also “smell the odor of an

alcoholic beverage coming from [Skorvanek’s] person.” Tr. Vol. II, p. 24.

[8] Officer Siekman administered two FSTs to Skorvanek, the “gaze nystagmus”

and the “walk and turn” tests. Tr. Vol. II, p. 25. Skorvanek failed both tests.

Officer Siekman did not administer the commonly used “one leg stand” test

because Skorvanek reported that he had a broken rib and was not physically

able to complete the test. Officer Siekman then administered a PBT to

Skorvanek. Skorvanek registered a 0.119 BAC on this test. Skorvanek later

submitted to a certified breath test, registering a 0.10 BAC.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 58A01-1612-CR-2879 | June 20, 2017 Page 4 of 10 [9] On June 19, 2012, the State charged Skorvanek with Class A misdemeanor

operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person and Class C

misdemeanor operating a vehicle with a BAC over 0.08. The State also alleged

that Skorvanek was a habitual offender. Following a March 29, 2016 bench

trial, at which Skorvanek was tried in absentia, the trial court (1) found

Skorvanek guilty of Class A misdemeanor operating a vehicle while intoxicated

endangering a person, (2) merged the Class C misdemeanor charge into the

Class A misdemeanor charge, and (3) found that Skorvanek was a habitual

offender.

[10] The trial court conducted a sentencing hearing on November 4, 2016, after

which the trial court took Skorvanek’s sentence under advisement. On

November 18, 2016, the trial court issued a sentencing order in which it

sentenced Skorvanek as follows:

1. The Court considers the nature and the circumstances of the crime.

2. The Court considers the following aggravating factors pursuant to IC 35-38-1-7.1(a): The Defendant’s history of criminal or delinquent behavior: Defendant is a lifelong resident of the State of Ohio. He has at least 41 prior felony convictions and 24 misdemeanor convictions. He has served multiple sentence in the Ohio Department of Corrections. The PSI reports that he had been to prison on six different occasions. The Defendant was out on bail from the state of Kentucky and the State of Ohio when he committed the instant offense. Defendant has completely failed to comply with his conditions of pretrial release, including that he appear at all hearings before this Court unless otherwise

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 58A01-1612-CR-2879 | June 20, 2017 Page 5 of 10 ordered by the Court.

3. The Court considers the following mitigating factors pursuant to IC 35-38-1-7.1(b): A. The Court does find that the crime is the result of circumstances likely to reoccur based [upon] the Defendant’s extensive criminal history and his lifelong history of drug and alcohol use and abuse. B. The Court does not find the Defendant to be a candidate for probation and/or short term imprisonment. The PSI reiterates in detail the number of times the Defendant has been in jail, on probation and to the Department of Corrections. None of the prior 41 felony convictions, 24 misdemeanor convictions or sentences imposed for the same, or terms of prior probation have deterred the Defendant from committing new crimes. The Court further finds the Defendant is not an appropriate candidate for community corrections. He does not reside in this state, has significant criminal history, has failed to appear before this Court as ordered, and the Defendant has shown complete disdain to this Court as evidenced by Defendant’s statement at sentencing when he said “I run. That is what I do.” The Court has good reason to believe he would continue to ignore and/or disregard the Court’s orders. In addition, the Court considers the need to obtain a Governor’s Warrant to secure his attendance at sentencing. C. Defendant is currently employed as a caregiver. The Court considers Defendant’s employment to be a mitigating factor. The Court does not give significant weight to this mitigator. D. The Defendant is an intelligent person. By his own testimony, he has over 6 years of college. He has been in AA for decades. He has been a sponsor for other addicts. He continues to make poor choices and decisions that create significant risk and danger to himself and others in the community.

4. The Court finds that the Defendant has significant aggravating

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 58A01-1612-CR-2879 | June 20, 2017 Page 6 of 10 factors and few mitigating factors.

The Court now sentences the Defendant, John M. Skorvanek, as follows:

1. Defendant, John M. Skorvanek, is hereby sentenced to 365 days with 0 days suspended to probation for Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated endangering a person, a Class A Misdemeanor with an additional 8 years for the Habitual Substance Offender enhancement pursuant to I.C. 35-50-2-10. Pursuant to I.C. § 35-38-3-3(b)(3), Defendant shall serve his sentence in the Indiana Department of Correction.

2. Defendant shall receive credit for 62 days previously served plus 62 days of good time credit for a total of 124 days. This credit is calculated as of November 18, 2016.

Appellant’s App. Vol. II – Confidential, pp. 107-08 (underlining in original).2

This appeal follows.

Discussion and Decision [11] On appeal, Skorvanek contends that his aggregate nine-year sentence for

operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person and being a habitual

offender is inappropriate. In challenging the appropriateness of his sentence,

Skorvanek asserts that his sentence is inappropriate because “[a] nine-year

sentence stands as a harsh punishment given the relatively minor nature of the

2 Additional portions of the sentencing order which outline certain fees and are not relevant to the term of years imposed by the trial court have been intentionally omitted from this memorandum decision.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 58A01-1612-CR-2879 | June 20, 2017 Page 7 of 10 underlying offense and the fact that Mr. Skorvanek suffers from a treatable drug

addiction.” Appellant’s Br. p. 10. Skorvanek’s assertion, however, ignores the

fact that Skorvanek’s failure to seek treatment or refrain from criminal activity,

as evidenced in part by his significant criminal history, demonstrates an

unwillingness to change his behavior and conform to the laws of Indiana and

her neighboring states. In fact, Skorvanek’s actions more accurately

demonstrate a complete disdain for the laws of this state and nation, as well as

the safety of those around him.

[12] Indiana Appellate Rule 7(B) provides that “The Court may revise a sentence

authorized by statute if, after due consideration of the trial court’s decision, the

Court finds that the sentence is inappropriate in light of the nature of the offense

and the character of the offender.” In analyzing such claims, we “‘concentrate

less on comparing the facts of [the case at issue] to others, whether real or

hypothetical, and more on focusing on the nature, extent, and depravity of the

offense for which the defendant is being sentenced, and what it reveals about

the defendant’s character.’” Paul v. State, 888 N.E.2d 818, 825 (Ind. Ct. App.

2008) (quoting Brown v. State, 760 N.E.2d 243, 247 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002), trans.

denied). The defendant bears the burden of persuading us that his sentence is

inappropriate. Sanchez v. State, 891 N.E.2d 174, 176 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008).

[13] With respect to the nature of Skorvanek’s offense, the record reveals that

Skorvanek continued drinking after having been denied service from casino

staff due to his obvious intoxication. In doing so, Skorvanek endangered

himself, his companion, and the other motorists around him by operating a

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 58A01-1612-CR-2879 | June 20, 2017 Page 8 of 10 vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. The penalty imposed for this act

was one year. The remaining eight years of Skorvanek’s sentence were

imposed in connection to Skorvanek’s status as a habitual offender. Skorvanek

does not dispute the fact that he qualified as a habitual offender or argue that

the eight years imposed in connection to his habitual offender status was

unlawful.

[14] As for Skorvanek’s character, the record reveals that Skorvanek has a criminal

history that includes a surprising number of both misdemeanor and felony

convictions. In fact, Skorvanek’s criminal history includes twenty-four

misdemeanor convictions and forty-one felony convictions. Skorvanek’s

criminal history also includes numerous prior probation violations. Despite the

fact that Skorvanek has been to prison on at least six different occasions, he has

failed to refrain from continued criminal behavior. He also has apparently

failed to benefit from prior attempts at rehabilitation or “decades” long

membership in Alcoholics Anonymous. Appellant’s App. Vol. II –

Confidential, p. 108.

[15] In addition, Skorvanek was out on bail awaiting trial in both Ohio and

Kentucky at the time he committed the underlying offense. It also reflects

poorly on Skorvanek’s character that he failed to comply with the terms of his

pre-trial release, specifically that he failed to appear for hearings and trial and

that the trial court had to obtain a Governor’s Warrant in order to secure

Skorvanek’s attendance at sentencing. Skorvanek also displayed disdain for the

trial court’s authority, explaining his failure to appear before the trial court by

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 58A01-1612-CR-2879 | June 20, 2017 Page 9 of 10 saying “I run. That is what I do.” Appellant’s App. Vol. II – Confidential, p.

108. Moreover, the Ohio County Probation Department indicated that a risk

assessment of Skorvanek placed him “in the MODERATE risk category to re-

offend.” Appellant’s App. Vol. II – Confidential, p. 97. Upon review, we

conclude that Oliver has failed to prove that his sentence is inappropriate in

light of the nature of his offenses and his character.

[16] The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Najam, J., and Riley, J., concur.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 58A01-1612-CR-2879 | June 20, 2017 Page 10 of 10