State Of Washington, V Joshua Earl Harris

CourtCourt of Appeals of Washington
DecidedJanuary 8, 2019
Docket50622-0
StatusUnpublished

This text of State Of Washington, V Joshua Earl Harris (State Of Washington, V Joshua Earl Harris) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Washington primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State Of Washington, V Joshua Earl Harris, (Wash. Ct. App. 2019).

Opinion

Filed Washington State Court of Appeals Division Two

January 8, 2019 IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

DIVISION II STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 50622-0-II

Respondent,

v.

JOSHUA EARL HARRIS, UNPUBLISHED OPINION

Appellant.

WORSWICK, J. — Joshua Earl Harris appeals his convictions for communication with a

minor for immoral purposes, third degree attempted rape of a child, and possession of a

controlled substance. Harris argues that there was insufficient evidence to show he had the

specific intent to rape a child or that he took a substantial step toward raping a child, and that his

due process rights were violated when law enforcement did not follow the Internet Crimes

Against Children (ICAC) Standards and engaged in outrageous conduct. Further, Harris argues

that the court imposed impermissible legal financial obligations (LFOs).

We hold that sufficient evidence supports Harris’s convictions, that his due process rights

were not violated, and that the court did not impermissibly impose LFOs. Thus, we affirm.

FACTS

The ICAC Task Force Program is part of a congressional directive to the Attorney

General of the United States to implement a national strategy for child exploitation prevention

and interdiction. 34 U.S.C. §§ 21111-21112. As directed by Congress, the Department of

Justice created the ICAC Operational and Investigative Standards to provide procedural and No. 50622-0-II

investigatory standards for these investigations. The ICAC Task Force Program includes state

and local law enforcement task forces to combat Internet crimes against children. 34 U.S.C. §

21113. One of these task forces is the Washington State ICAC Task Force. The Washington

State ICAC Task Force has an interagency agreement with the Vancouver Police Department

(VPD) in which VPD agrees to adhere to the ICAC Standards.

Regarding Harris’s case, Detective Robert Givens of the VPD placed an advertisement in

the Casual Encounters section on Craigslist. The ad read, “[S]kipping school today want to chat

W4M Vancouver. I’m just a girl ditching today from school. You want to chat with me? I’m

pretty mellow. Send me a message. I’ll be around gaming and chatting.[♥]” 3 Verbatim Report

of Proceedings (VRP) at 362. W4M meant a woman looking for a male.

Harris, a 36-year-old man, responded to the ad. Detective Givens replied posing as “Julie

Vincent,”1 a nonexistent 14-year-old girl created for this investigation. 3 VRP at 366. Harris

said, “I am 36, which I hope is not a deal breaker.” 3 VRP at 367. Julie replied, “I’m 14. I’m

okay if you’re okay.” 3 VRP at 367. Harris responded, “I suppose it is. I just wanted to chat

anyway.” 3 VRP at 367. Harris stated that by skipping school, he thought Julie was referring to

college and requested they “keep it civil.” 3 VRP at 367.

After chatting about video games, Harris asked Julie to send him a photograph. Craigslist

blocked Julie’s attempt to send a photograph, but Julie began chatting with Harris directly the

following morning. Julie then sent a photograph to Harris. This photograph was of a female

police officer who was over the age of 21. Harris said he did not think Julie looked 14 years old

1 We use the law enforcement officer’s undercover persona for clarity.

2 No. 50622-0-II

and asked if she was on Craigslist looking for older men. He said, “If you want an older caring

man’s attention, I will gladly give it to you.” 3 VRP at 375. When Julie asked what kind of

attention, Harris said, “Whatever you wanted.” 3 VRP at 375.

He then asked, “Skipping school today? I have some time. I could come get [you] and

go do something or go somewhere and chat.” 3 VRP at 375. Julie again asked what kind of

attention Harris would give her. He responded, “Well, the want is strong. Very. I want to taste

you. . . . I really shouldn’t say such things, but G*d d**n you’re fine.” 3 VRP at 376. Harris

then offered Julie marijuana and methamphetamine. Julie asked Harris to tell her “about the

other stuff first” and he replied, “I really want to perform oral right now. . . . I really want you.”

3 VRP at 376. Julie asked, “For real or just online?” 3 VRP at 376. Harris replied, “I hope I

don’t frighten you. And even if you just want to chat, I’m fine with that. Only issue if [I]

perform orally on you, you’ll be upset the rest of your life because I am the best there is. Not a

lie. Not fake, not online, but real.” 3 VRP at 376.

Julie asked if Harris wanted to try to meet and he responded, “Yes, please.” 3 VRP at

377. Harris said, “I don’t like how our society stats [sic] that teenagers can’t have sex.

Bulls**t.” 3 VRP at 377. In graphic detail, Harris then described how he would perform oral

sex on Julie. Harris said, “I am not a pedo[phile], but I have always wanted to be with a young

woman and taste that delicious peach.” 3 VRP at 378. He said, “I want to f**k you . . . . Sensual

passionate love making like you’ll never forget.” 3 VRP at 380.

Harris wanted to see Julie that day, and the two discussed where they would meet. Harris

said, “We have to meet somewhere away from your house . . . [t]o pick you up, I mean.” 3 VRP

at 379. Harris arranged to meet Julie at a Starbucks in Vancouver. Harris arrived at the

3 No. 50622-0-II

Starbucks and texted Julie that he was “going to make this not just the best you’ve had, but the

emotional journey I will take you on will be more fulfilling than you can ever hope for.” 3 VRP

at 384.

Detective Givens was sitting inside the Starbucks messaging Harris when Harris walked

in. Detective Givens texted Harris that Julie was still walking to the location. Harris walked out

of the Starbucks and police officers arrested him. Police officers found a box of condoms in

Harris’s jacket pocket and methamphetamine in Harris’s vehicle. The State charged Harris with

communication with a minor for immoral purposes, third degree attempted rape of a child, and

possession of a controlled substance—methamphetamine. At trial, witnesses testified to the

above facts. The jury found Harris guilty of all three counts. Harris appeals his convictions.

ANALYSIS

I. SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE

Harris argues that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction for attempted

third degree rape of a child. We disagree.

Evidence is sufficient to support a guilty verdict if any rational trier of fact, viewing the

evidence in the light most favorable to the State, could find the elements of the charged crime

beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Farnsworth, 185 Wn.2d 768, 775, 374 P.3d 1152 (2016).

“In claiming insufficient evidence, the defendant necessarily admits the truth of the State’s

evidence and all reasonable inferences that can be drawn from it.” State v. Homan, 181 Wn.2d

102, 106, 330 P.3d 182 (2014). Such inferences must be drawn in favor of the State and

interpreted most strongly against the defendant. State v. Kintz, 169 Wn.2d 537, 551, 238 P.3d

470 (2010). We defer to the jury on issues of conflicting testimony, credibility of witnesses, and

4 No. 50622-0-II

the persuasiveness of the evidence. State v.

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