MEMORANDUM DECISION Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), FILED this Memorandum Decision shall not be Oct 30 2019, 8:46 am
regarded as precedent or cited before any CLERK court except for the purpose of establishing Indiana Supreme Court Court of Appeals and Tax Court the defense of res judicata, collateral estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE R. Thomas Lowe Curtis T. Hill, Jr. Lowe Law Office Attorney General of Indiana New Albany, Indiana Sierra A. Murray Deputy Attorney General Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Michael James Begin, Jr., October 30, 2019 Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No. 19A-CR-1185 v. Appeal from the Clark Circuit Court State of Indiana, The Honorable Andrew Adams, Appellee-Plaintiff. Judge The Honorable Steven M. Fleece, Judge Pro Tempore Trial Court Cause No. 10C01-1710-F4-94
Pyle, Judge.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1185 | October 30, 2019 Page 1 of 8 Statement of the Case
[1] Michael Begin, Jr. (“Begin”) appeals the sentence imposed after he pled guilty
to twenty (20) counts of Level 4 felony child molesting.1 Begin argues that his
sentence is inappropriate in light of the nature of the offenses and his character.
Concluding that Begin’s sentence is not inappropriate, we affirm his sentence.
[2] We affirm.
Issue
Whether Begin’s sentence is inappropriate.
Facts
[3] As a student at Jeffersonville High School, Begin enrolled in an early childhood
education program. This program allowed Begin to volunteer as a teacher’s
assistant at a local elementary school. Begin also worked as a children’s
caretaker at a YMCA. Begin utilized his positions to molest four children at the
elementary school and fifteen children at the YMCA. Begin also molested one
child, the daughter of a family friend, in her home. The ages of the children
ranged from three (3) to eight (8) years old.
1 IND. CODE § 35-42-4-3.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1185 | October 30, 2019 Page 2 of 8 [4] Whether at the elementary school, the YMCA, or the child’s home, Begin
would sit next to his victim, stick his hand down into her underwear, and touch
and rub her vaginal and buttocks areas. He penetrated a victim’s vagina with
his finger at least four times. Sometimes the child would resist but Begin would
frequently ignore the efforts and continue molesting his victim. On at least one
occasion, he molested two children at one time. Despite Begin’s attempts to
avoid detection, several of the crimes were caught on video at both the
elementary school and the YMCA.
[5] In October 2017, the State initially charged Begin with two counts of child
molesting as Level 4 felonies. However, the charging information was
amended three times, each amendment adding additional charges as more
victims came to light. The final charging information was filed in November
2018 and included a total of twenty-seven (27) counts of child molesting: four
as Level 3 felonies and twenty-three as Level 4 felonies. During the pendency
of the case, two doctors found Begin competent to stand trial.
[6] In January 2019, Begin pled guilty to twenty (20) counts of Level 4 felony child
molesting. The twenty counts represent twenty different victims. In his plea
agreement, Begin admitted to the allegations contained in the State’s third
amended information and the probable cause affidavits. Under the plea
agreement, the parties agreed that Counts one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4),
five (5), six (6), seven (7), twelve (12), thirteen (13), and fourteen (14) would run
consecutive to each other. Additionally, Counts fifteen (15), sixteen (16),
seventeen (17), eighteen (18), nineteen (19), twenty (20), twenty-one (21),
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1185 | October 30, 2019 Page 3 of 8 twenty-three (23), twenty-four (24), and twenty-seven (27) would run
consecutive to each other, but those ten counts would run concurrent with
Counts one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4), five (5), six (6), seven (7), twelve
(12), thirteen (13), and fourteen (14). The agreement further stated that the
sentencing range for the trial court was between two (2) and 120 years.
[7] In April 2019, the trial court held a sentencing hearing. During the hearing,
several of the parents of Begin’s twenty victims testified about the trauma and
devastating effects Begin’s action had had on their children. The trial court
identified the following six aggravating factors: (1) the significant harm,
misery, loss, or damage done to the victims; (2) the “young age of the victims”
in comparison to the requirements of the statute; (3) the acts were crimes of
violence; (4) some crimes were committed in the presence of other children; (5)
Begin was in a position of care, custody, or control of the victims; and (6) Begin
encouraged the victims to not report the crimes. (Tr. 45). The trial court then
identified the following two mitigating factors: (1) Begin’s lack of prior
criminal or delinquent history and (2) his expression of remorse. The trial court
then found that “the aggravators clearly outweigh the mitigating factors.” (Tr.
46). The trial court sentenced Begin to twelve (12) years with ten (10) years
executed and two (2) years suspended for each count, for an aggregate sentence
of 120 years with 100 years executed and 20 years suspended to probation.
Begin now appeals.
Decision
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1185 | October 30, 2019 Page 4 of 8 [8] Begin argues that his aggregate sentence of 120 years, with 100 years executed
and 20 years suspended to probation, is inappropriate.2 He requests that we
“revise his sentence to the advisory sentence for each count[.]” (Begin’s Br. 28).
“This Court 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
7(B) ‘appropriateness’ inquiry is a discretionary exercise of the appellate court’s
judgment, not unlike the trial court’s discretionary sentencing determination.”
Knapp v. State, 9 N.E.3d 1274, 1291-92 (Ind. 2014), cert. denied. “On appeal,
though, we conduct that review with substantial deference and give due
consideration to the trial court’s decision—since the principal role of our review
is to attempt to leaven the outliers, and not to achieve a perceived correct
sentence.” Id. at 1292 (internal quotation marks, internal bracket, and citation
omitted). “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. The defendant has the
burden of persuading the appellate court that his sentence is inappropriate.
Childress v. State, 848 N.E.2d 1073, 1080 (Ind. 2006). Whether we regard a
sentence as inappropriate turns on the “culpability of the defendant, the severity
2 Begin sets forth his appellate argument as solely a challenge to the inappropriateness of his sentence.
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MEMORANDUM DECISION Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), FILED this Memorandum Decision shall not be Oct 30 2019, 8:46 am
regarded as precedent or cited before any CLERK court except for the purpose of establishing Indiana Supreme Court Court of Appeals and Tax Court the defense of res judicata, collateral estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE R. Thomas Lowe Curtis T. Hill, Jr. Lowe Law Office Attorney General of Indiana New Albany, Indiana Sierra A. Murray Deputy Attorney General Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Michael James Begin, Jr., October 30, 2019 Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No. 19A-CR-1185 v. Appeal from the Clark Circuit Court State of Indiana, The Honorable Andrew Adams, Appellee-Plaintiff. Judge The Honorable Steven M. Fleece, Judge Pro Tempore Trial Court Cause No. 10C01-1710-F4-94
Pyle, Judge.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1185 | October 30, 2019 Page 1 of 8 Statement of the Case
[1] Michael Begin, Jr. (“Begin”) appeals the sentence imposed after he pled guilty
to twenty (20) counts of Level 4 felony child molesting.1 Begin argues that his
sentence is inappropriate in light of the nature of the offenses and his character.
Concluding that Begin’s sentence is not inappropriate, we affirm his sentence.
[2] We affirm.
Issue
Whether Begin’s sentence is inappropriate.
Facts
[3] As a student at Jeffersonville High School, Begin enrolled in an early childhood
education program. This program allowed Begin to volunteer as a teacher’s
assistant at a local elementary school. Begin also worked as a children’s
caretaker at a YMCA. Begin utilized his positions to molest four children at the
elementary school and fifteen children at the YMCA. Begin also molested one
child, the daughter of a family friend, in her home. The ages of the children
ranged from three (3) to eight (8) years old.
1 IND. CODE § 35-42-4-3.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1185 | October 30, 2019 Page 2 of 8 [4] Whether at the elementary school, the YMCA, or the child’s home, Begin
would sit next to his victim, stick his hand down into her underwear, and touch
and rub her vaginal and buttocks areas. He penetrated a victim’s vagina with
his finger at least four times. Sometimes the child would resist but Begin would
frequently ignore the efforts and continue molesting his victim. On at least one
occasion, he molested two children at one time. Despite Begin’s attempts to
avoid detection, several of the crimes were caught on video at both the
elementary school and the YMCA.
[5] In October 2017, the State initially charged Begin with two counts of child
molesting as Level 4 felonies. However, the charging information was
amended three times, each amendment adding additional charges as more
victims came to light. The final charging information was filed in November
2018 and included a total of twenty-seven (27) counts of child molesting: four
as Level 3 felonies and twenty-three as Level 4 felonies. During the pendency
of the case, two doctors found Begin competent to stand trial.
[6] In January 2019, Begin pled guilty to twenty (20) counts of Level 4 felony child
molesting. The twenty counts represent twenty different victims. In his plea
agreement, Begin admitted to the allegations contained in the State’s third
amended information and the probable cause affidavits. Under the plea
agreement, the parties agreed that Counts one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4),
five (5), six (6), seven (7), twelve (12), thirteen (13), and fourteen (14) would run
consecutive to each other. Additionally, Counts fifteen (15), sixteen (16),
seventeen (17), eighteen (18), nineteen (19), twenty (20), twenty-one (21),
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1185 | October 30, 2019 Page 3 of 8 twenty-three (23), twenty-four (24), and twenty-seven (27) would run
consecutive to each other, but those ten counts would run concurrent with
Counts one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4), five (5), six (6), seven (7), twelve
(12), thirteen (13), and fourteen (14). The agreement further stated that the
sentencing range for the trial court was between two (2) and 120 years.
[7] In April 2019, the trial court held a sentencing hearing. During the hearing,
several of the parents of Begin’s twenty victims testified about the trauma and
devastating effects Begin’s action had had on their children. The trial court
identified the following six aggravating factors: (1) the significant harm,
misery, loss, or damage done to the victims; (2) the “young age of the victims”
in comparison to the requirements of the statute; (3) the acts were crimes of
violence; (4) some crimes were committed in the presence of other children; (5)
Begin was in a position of care, custody, or control of the victims; and (6) Begin
encouraged the victims to not report the crimes. (Tr. 45). The trial court then
identified the following two mitigating factors: (1) Begin’s lack of prior
criminal or delinquent history and (2) his expression of remorse. The trial court
then found that “the aggravators clearly outweigh the mitigating factors.” (Tr.
46). The trial court sentenced Begin to twelve (12) years with ten (10) years
executed and two (2) years suspended for each count, for an aggregate sentence
of 120 years with 100 years executed and 20 years suspended to probation.
Begin now appeals.
Decision
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1185 | October 30, 2019 Page 4 of 8 [8] Begin argues that his aggregate sentence of 120 years, with 100 years executed
and 20 years suspended to probation, is inappropriate.2 He requests that we
“revise his sentence to the advisory sentence for each count[.]” (Begin’s Br. 28).
“This Court 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
7(B) ‘appropriateness’ inquiry is a discretionary exercise of the appellate court’s
judgment, not unlike the trial court’s discretionary sentencing determination.”
Knapp v. State, 9 N.E.3d 1274, 1291-92 (Ind. 2014), cert. denied. “On appeal,
though, we conduct that review with substantial deference and give due
consideration to the trial court’s decision—since the principal role of our review
is to attempt to leaven the outliers, and not to achieve a perceived correct
sentence.” Id. at 1292 (internal quotation marks, internal bracket, and citation
omitted). “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. The defendant has the
burden of persuading the appellate court that his sentence is inappropriate.
Childress v. State, 848 N.E.2d 1073, 1080 (Ind. 2006). Whether we regard a
sentence as inappropriate turns on the “culpability of the defendant, the severity
2 Begin sets forth his appellate argument as solely a challenge to the inappropriateness of his sentence. However, Begin challenges three of the aggravators found by the trial court. Because Begin has neither set forth the specific standard utilized in addressing aggravators and mitigators nor presented a cogent argument, we conclude that he has waived appellate review of this issue. See Ind. Appellate Rule 46(A)(8)(a); King v. State, 894 N.E.2d 265, 267 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008) (Noting that our supreme court has made clear that inappropriate sentence and abuse of discretion claims are to be analyzed separately.”).
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1185 | October 30, 2019 Page 5 of 8 of the crime, the damage done to others, and myriad other factors that come to
light in a given case.” Cardwell v. State, 895 N.E.2d 1219, 1224 (Ind. 2008).
[9] 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 crimes committed. Childress, 848 N.E.2d 1081.
Here, Begin pled guilty and was convicted of twenty (20) Level 4 felonies. The
sentencing range for a Level 4 felony is “for a fixed term of between two (2) and
twelve (12) years, with the advisory sentence being six (6) years.” I.C. § 35-50-
2-5.5. The trial court imposed consecutive sentences of twelve (12) years with
ten (10) years executed and two (2) years suspended for ten of his Level 4 felony
convictions, and concurrent twelve (12) year sentences with two (2) years
suspended for the other ten Level 4 felony convictions. Accordingly, the trial
court imposed an aggregate sentence of 120 years with 100 years executed and
twenty (20) suspended to probation.
[10] The nature of Begin’s numerous child molesting offenses is beyond troubling.
As this Court has recognized, the nature of the offense is found in the details
and circumstances of the commission of the offense and the defendant’s
participation. Perry v. State, 78 N.E.3d 1, 13 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017). Here, Begin
molested several children at an elementary school and a YMCA. He also
molested one child inside her home. In total, Begin molested twenty different
children by touching and fondling their vaginal and buttocks area. He also
penetrated the vagina of at least four victims with his finger. Begin served as a
teacher’s assistant and a caretaker and used his positions of trust and authority
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1185 | October 30, 2019 Page 6 of 8 to abuse nineteen of his twenty victims. Begin’s offenses had a devastating
effect on his young victims, who continue to suffer from his actions in a variety
of ways. See Lasley v. State, 510 N.E.2d 1340, 1342 (Ind. 1987) (sexual
victimization of children often leaves permanent psychological damage that is
more devastating than physical injuries).
[11] As for his character, Begin argues that his lack of criminal history warrants a
reduced sentence. Begin is correct that when considering the character of the
offender prong of our inquiry, one relevant consideration is the defendant’s
criminal history. Rutherford v. State, 866 N.E.2d 867, 874 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007).
Here, however, the evidence in the record regarding his manipulative efforts
and actions is more persuasive of Begin’s character than his prior good
behavior. As detailed above, Begin actively sought and leveraged his
community involvement to molest twenty different children. Based on the
nature of the offenses and his character, Begin has failed to persuaded us that
his sentence is inappropriate.3
3 Begin also argues that his sentence is a “de facto life sentence . . . [that] violates Art. 1, § 16 of the Indiana Constitution and the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution[.]” (Begin’s Br. 24). Although he cites Brown v. State, 10 N.E.3d 1 (Ind. 2014), he expressly limits his analysis to the Eighth Amendment and does not premise his argument on the Indiana Constitution. See Id. at 8 (revising 150 year sentence for a sixteen-year-old defendant to 80 years under Rule 7(B)). Thus, he has waived a constitutional claim based on Article 1, Section 16 of the Indiana Constitution by failing to allege a violation separate from the Eighth Amendment. See Ind. App. R. 46(A)(8)(a). To the extent that Begin claims his sentence violates the U.S. Constitution, we disagree. Begin relies upon Miller v. Alabama, 567 U.S. 460 (2012) and Graham v. Florida, 560 U.S. 48 (2010). In Miller, the Supreme Court held “that the Eighth Amendment forbids a sentencing scheme that mandates life in prison without possibility of parole for juvenile offenders.” Miller, 567 U.S. at 479. In Graham, the Supreme Court barred the imposition of LWOP for a juvenile convicted of a single non-homicide offense. Graham, 560 U.S. at 74- 75. Miller and Graham are distinguishable from the instant case because they dealt with LWOP for juvenile
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1185 | October 30, 2019 Page 7 of 8 [12] Affirmed.
Robb, J., and Mathias, J., concur.
offenders. Here, Begin did not receive a mandatory sentence of LWOP. Additionally, Begin committed at least half of his crimes as an adult. We note that recently in Wilson v. State, 128 N.E.3d 492, 501 (Ind. Ct. App. 2019), another panel of our Court held that “Miller applies to sentences for juveniles that amount to a life sentence, regardless of the label applied by the trial court or the State.” Our Indiana Supreme Court has granted transfer in Wilson, thus that case and any holding therein has been vacated. See Ind. App. R. 58(A). Accordingly, we conclude that Begin did not receive a sentence that implicates the constitutional concerns analyzed in Graham and Miller.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1185 | October 30, 2019 Page 8 of 8