Reginald D. Akins, Jr. v. State of Indiana

• Court: Indiana Court of Appeals
• Decided: October 22, 2024
• Docket: 23A-CR-02893
• Status: Published

Opinion

FILED Oct 22 2024, 8:56 am

CLERK Indiana Supreme Court Court of Appeals and Tax Court

IN THE

Court of Appeals of Indiana Reginald D. Akins, Jr., Appellant-Defendant

v.

State of Indiana, Appellee-Plaintiff

October 22, 2024 Court of Appeals Case No. 23A-CR-2893 Appeal from the Delaware Circuit Court The Honorable Judi L. Calhoun, Judge Trial Court Cause No. 18C01-2011-F5-173

Opinion by Judge Pyle Judges May and Brown concur.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 23A-CR-2893 | October 22, 2024 Page 1 of 11 Pyle, Judge.

Statement of the Case [1] Reginald D. Akins, Jr. (“Akins”)1 appeals the trial court’s denial of his motion

to withdraw his guilty plea. Akins argues that the trial court: (1) did not timely

sentence him pursuant to Criminal Rule 11; and (2) abused its discretion when

it denied his motion to withdraw his guilty plea. Finding no error or abuse of

discretion, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

[2] We affirm.

Issues 1. Whether the trial court timely sentenced Akins pursuant to Criminal Rule 11.

2. Whether the trial court abused its discretion when it denied Akins’ motion to withdraw his guilty plea.

Facts [3] In November 2020, the State charged Akins with Level 5 felony possession of

methamphetamine, Class A misdemeanor driving while suspended, Class A

misdemeanor possession of marijuana, and Class C misdemeanor possession of

paraphernalia in Cause No. 18C01-2011-F5-173 (“Cause F5-173”). In June

1 The chronological case summary on appeal shows the defendant’s name as Atkins. However, the chronological case summary and record from the trial court show the defendant’s name as Akins. We will refer to defendant as Akins.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 23A-CR-2893 | October 22, 2024 Page 2 of 11 2022, Akins filed a motion to proceed pro se. After a hearing, the trial court

granted Akins’ request to proceed pro se.2

[4] On September 13, 2022, Akins, pro se, pleaded guilty to Level 5 felony

possession of methamphetamine pursuant to a plea agreement. In exchange for

his guilty plea, the State agreed to dismiss all of the remaining charges in Cause

F5-173. The trial court held a change of plea hearing, during which the trial

court notified Akins of his constitutional rights and explained that Akins would

be giving up his constitutional rights. Akins told the trial court that he

understood his rights and that he had not been promised anything or threatened

by anyone in exchange for his plea. Additionally, Akins, while under oath,

testified to a factual basis for his Level 5 felony possession of methamphetamine

charge and pleaded guilty pursuant to his plea agreement. At the conclusion of

the hearing, the trial court took the plea agreement under advisement, set a

sentencing hearing for October 12, 2022, and ordered the probation department

to file a pre-sentence investigation report. The trial court released Akins out on

his own recognizance until his sentencing in Cause F5-173 so that he could hire

an attorney for one of his other pending cases.3

[5] At his October 12, 2022 status conference and sentencing hearing, Akins asked

the trial court to continue his sentencing hearing in Cause F5-173. Specifically,

2 This hearing was not included in the record on appeal. 3 Akins had a total of at least eight pending cases including Cause F5-173.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 23A-CR-2893 | October 22, 2024 Page 3 of 11 Akins asked the trial court to continue his sentencing so that he could attend

substance abuse treatment at Mockingbird Hill. The trial court granted Akins’

request and reset all of Akins’ pending cases for a status hearing in January

2023.

[6] At his January 2023 status hearing, Akins’ counsel, who represented Akins on

some of his other pending cases, but not in his F5-173 case, appeared and

informed the trial court that Akins did not have any new pending charges and

was currently in substance abuse treatment. Akins’ counsel requested another

status hearing for all of Akins’ cases in ninety days. The trial court set another

status hearing for April 19, 2023.

[7] In April 2023, the State charged Akins with, among other charges, Level 2

felony dealing in methamphetamine and Level 2 felony dealing in a narcotic

drug in Cause No. 18C01-2304-F2-12 (“Cause F2-12”). At the April 2023

hearing, the trial court held an initial hearing on Cause F2-12 and set a

discovery status hearing for May 24, 2023. The trial court also set all of Akins’

other pending cases for a status hearing on May 24, 2023.

[8] At the May 24, 2023 hearing, the trial court set the plea acceptance and

sentencing hearing in Cause F5-173 for June 5, 2023. Akins did not object to

the trial court’s scheduling of his plea acceptance and sentencing hearing.

Finally, the trial court appointed a public defender to represent Akins in Cause

F5-173.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 23A-CR-2893 | October 22, 2024 Page 4 of 11 [9] Akins filed a motion for discharge on June 5, 2023, arguing that he had not

been sentenced within thirty days in violation of Criminal Rule 11 and that his

F5-173 case should be dismissed. At his June 5, 2023 sentencing hearing,

Akins requested to be discharged under Criminal Rule 11. Akins testified that it

was not his “fault that a continuance [had been] given” and that he did not

“even remember if a continuance was given.” (Supp. Tr. at 35). On cross-

examination, the State asked Akins if he had asked the trial court to release him

pending sentencing so that he could attend treatment. Akins denied ever

making any such request. The State argued that Akins was not entitled to

discharge based on him not being sentenced within thirty days. Instead, the

State asserted that the remedy for a failure to sentence within thirty days was an

imposition of a sentence. Further, the trial court reviewed the recordings of the

October 12, 2022 hearings and it explained to Akins that he had requested a

continuance of his sentencing in order to attend treatment.

[10] The trial court denied Akins’ motion for discharge. In its order, the trial court

found that the original sentencing date had been “scheduled within thirty (30)

days of the change of plea[.]” (App. Vol. at 228). The trial court further found

that “the sentencing was set within the proper time” and that the continuance of

Akins’ sentencing hearing was due to “the specific request of [Akins].” (App.

Vol. 2 at 229). The trial court found that “good cause was shown for the delay

of the sentencing.” (App. Vol. 2 at 229).

[11] Also at his June 5, 2023 hearing, Akins moved to withdraw his guilty plea. The

trial court reminded Akins that he was represented by counsel, and Akins’

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 23A-CR-2893 | October 22, 2024 Page 5 of 11 counsel told the trial court that he would file the motion. The trial court set a

hearing for June 7, 2023 on Akins’ motion to withdraw his guilty plea and for

sentencing. On June 6, 2023, Akins filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea.

In his motion, Akins stated that he wanted to withdraw his guilty plea because:

(1) he had been proceeding pro se when he had entered the guilty plea; (2) he

wanted to contest the charges against him; (3) he had not been timely sentenced

pursuant to Criminal Rule 11; and (4) he wished to appeal and the plea

agreement had waived that right.

[12] On June 7, 2023, the trial court held a hearing on Akins’ motion to withdraw

his guilty plea and for sentencing. At the hearing, Akins argued that he had

entered into the plea agreement while pro se and that he had a “suppression

issue” that he wanted to raise that would be waived if the trial court accepted

the plea agreement. (Tr. Vol. 2 at 24). Akins further argued that these reasons

amounted to a manifest injustice and that the State would not be prejudiced by

the withdrawal of the guilty plea. The State argued that it would be prejudiced

by a withdrawal of the guilty plea because Akins had entered into the plea

agreement six days before his scheduled jury trial.

[13] The trial court explained that it had reviewed the record from the September 13,

2022 hearing and had listened to the recording of the hearing. The trial court

stated that it had determined that Akins had been advised of his constitutional

rights, had validly waived those rights, had waived his appeal rights, and had

participated in establishing a factual basis before pleading guilty. The trial court

also noted that Akins had received the benefit of the three remaining charges in

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 23A-CR-2893 | October 22, 2024 Page 6 of 11 Cause F5-173 being dismissed pursuant to the plea agreement and that he had

signed the plea agreement. The trial court denied Akins’ motion to withdraw

his guilty plea.

[14] The trial court entered a judgment of conviction for Akins’ Level 5 felony

possession of methamphetamine charge. The trial court sentenced Akins to

three (3) years executed at the Indiana Department of Correction. In

November 2023, Akins filed a motion for permission to file a belated notice of

appeal. In December 2023, the trial court granted Akins’ motion.

[15] Akins now belatedly appeals.

Decision [16] Akins argues that the trial court: (1) failed to timely sentence him pursuant to

Criminal Rule 11; and (2) abused its discretion when it denied his motion to

withdraw his guilty plea. We address each of his arguments in turn.

1. Criminal Rule 11

[17] Akins first argues that he is entitled to discharge under Indiana Criminal Rule

11 because the trial court did not sentence him within thirty days of his guilty

plea. Indiana Criminal Rule 11 provides that “[u]pon entering a conviction,

whether the acceptance of a guilty plea or by finding or by verdict, the court

shall sentence a defendant convicted in a criminal case within thirty (30) days of

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 23A-CR-2893 | October 22, 2024 Page 7 of 11 the plea or the finding or verdict of guilty, unless an extension for good cause is

shown.”4 See also I.C. § 35-38-1-2(b).

[18] Specifically, Akins argues that the trial court “deliberately postpone[d]

indefinitely the pronouncement of judgment and sentence” and thus, Akins’

“conviction and sentence in this case should be discharged.” (Akins’ Br. 9).

We disagree.

[19] Our review of the record reveals that Akins is not entitled to discharge. Akins

pleaded guilty pursuant to a plea agreement at his September 13, 2022 hearing.

Akins requested a continuance at his October 12, 2022 sentencing hearing so

that he could attend substance abuse treatment. Thus, Akins’ sentencing was

delayed by his own request and good cause was shown for any such delay.

Akins’ arguments primarily focus on the fact that the chronological case

summary does not provide any reason for a delay. However, the transcript of

the October 12, 2022 hearing reveals that sentencing was delayed because Akins

requested a continuance so that he could attend substance abuse treatment. See

North v. State, 406 N.E.2d 657, 661 (Ind. Ct. App. 1980) (holding that a

defendant claiming violation of sentencing rules must show prejudice and

cannot complain when he is responsible for the delay). Additionally, Akins did

not object when the trial court set a new sentencing date at his May 2023

hearing. See Waters v. State, 65 N.E.3d 613, 618 (Ind. Ct. App. 2016) (holding

4 Indiana Criminal Rule 11 was replaced by Indiana Criminal Rule 5.1 effective January 1, 2024.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 23A-CR-2893 | October 22, 2024 Page 8 of 11 that a defendant who does not object to the scheduling of a hearing beyond the

thirty-day limit cannot claim error on appeal).

[20] Further, the remedy under these circumstances is an imposition of sentence, not

a discharge. See McCormick v. State, 382 N.E.2d 172, 177 (Ind. 1978) (finding

that discharge is limited to circumstances where the record shows a deliberate

attempt by a trial court to withhold sentencing or where sentencing is delayed

by a trial court without any excuse or justification “for such a period of time as

to offend basic notions of fundamental fairness” if a sentence was imposed).

Our review of the record reveals that neither of these circumstances are present.

Therefore, we find no error under Criminal Rule 11.

2. Guilty Plea

[21] Akins also argues that the trial court abused its discretion by denying his

motion to withdraw his guilty plea. INDIANA CODE § 35-35-1-4 governs

motions to withdraw guilty pleas. After a defendant pleads guilty, but before a

sentence is imposed, a trial court “may allow” the defendant to withdraw his

plea of guilty “for any fair and just reason” unless the State has been

“substantially prejudiced by reliance on the defendant’s plea.” I.C. § 35-35-1-

4(b). The court “shall allow” a defendant to withdraw a guilty plea whenever

the defendant proves that withdrawal of the plea is “necessary to correct a

manifest injustice.” Id.

[22] “[A] trial court’s ruling on a motion to withdraw a guilty plea arrives in this

Court with a presumption in favor of the ruling[,]” and a defendant seeking to Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 23A-CR-2893 | October 22, 2024 Page 9 of 11 overturn such a ruling faces a “high hurdle[.]” Coomer v. State, 652 N.E.2d 60,

62 (Ind. 1995). We review the denial of a motion to withdraw a guilty plea for

an abuse of discretion. Garcia v. State, 193 N.E.3d 1046, 1048 (Ind. Ct. App.

2022) (citing I.C. § 35-35-1-4(b)). “In determining whether a trial court has

abused its discretion in denying a motion to withdraw a guilty plea, we examine

the statements made by the defendant at his guilty plea hearing to decide

whether his plea was offered ‘freely and knowingly.’” Brightman v. State, 758

N.E.2d 41, 44 (Ind. 2001) (quoting Coomer, 652 N.E.2d at 62).

[23] Our review of the record reveals that Akins entered into the plea agreement

freely and knowingly. At his guilty plea hearing, Akins stated that he had both

understood his constitutional rights and had agreed to waive those rights.

Further, Akins admitted, under oath, to committing Level 5 felony possession

of methamphetamine.

[24] Akins’ challenge on appeal is that he should have been able to withdraw his

guilty plea because he had been proceeding pro se when he had entered into the

plea agreement and that he had wished to raise a suppression issue, which he

contends amounted to a manifest injustice. However, Akins does not cite to

any case law or authority in support of this contention. Further, Akins was

proceeding pro se at his change of plea hearing. It is well settled that pro se

litigants are held to the same legal standards as licensed attorneys. Evans v.

State, 809 N.E.2d 338, 344 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004), trans. denied. Also, Akins, by

pleading guilty, both admitted the facts as alleged by the State and waived his

right to a trial.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 23A-CR-2893 | October 22, 2024 Page 10 of 11 [25] Akins has failed to overcome the “high hurdle” of seeking to overcome the trial

court’s denial of his motion. See Coomer, 652 N.E.2d at 62. Accordingly, we

hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it denied Akins’

motion to withdraw his guilty plea.

[26] Affirmed.

May, J., and Brown, J., concur.

ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT Joseph P. Hunter Quirk and Hunter, P.C. Muncie, Indiana

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE Theodore E. Rokita Attorney General of Indiana Courtney Staton Deputy Attorney General Indianapolis, Indiana

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 23A-CR-2893 | October 22, 2024 Page 11 of 11