State v. Morales, Unpublished Decision (12-23-2004)

2004 Ohio 7239
CourtOhio Court of Appeals
DecidedDecember 23, 2004
DocketNo. 2003-L-025.
StatusUnpublished
Cited by28 cases

This text of 2004 Ohio 7239 (State v. Morales, Unpublished Decision (12-23-2004)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Ohio Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Morales, Unpublished Decision (12-23-2004), 2004 Ohio 7239 (Ohio Ct. App. 2004).

Opinions

OPINION
{¶ 1} Appellant, Pedro Morales, appeals from the trial court's judgment entry of sentence following his guilty pleas to one count of gross sexual imposition, one count of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, and one count of attempted rape. Appellant also appeals the trial court's judgment labeling him a sexual predator. We affirm.

{¶ 2} Appellant's estranged wife discovered videotapes, made by appellant, of appellant engaging in sex acts with his prepubescent music students. Appellant's wife turned these videotapes over to police. Appellant was subsequently indicted for (1) gross sexual imposition, R.C.2907.05(A)(4), a third degree felony; (2) kidnapping, R.C. 2905.01(A)(2), a second degree felony; (3) pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, R.C. 2907.322(A)(1), a second degree felony; (4) pandering obscenity involving a minor, R.C. 2907.321(A)(1), a second degree felony; (5) rape, R.C. 2907.01(A)(1)(b), a first degree felony; and (6) kidnapping, R.C. 2905.01(A)(2), a second degree felony.

{¶ 3} Appellant subsequently pleaded guilty pursuant to North Carolinav. Alford (1970), 400 U.S. 25, to counts 1 and 3 and to a lesser-included offense of count 6, i.e., attempted rape, R.C. 2923.02, a second degree felony.

{¶ 4} The trial court then held a joint sentencing and sexual predator hearing. Following this hearing, the trial court sentenced appellant to serve seven years for pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, seven years for attempted rape, and four years for gross sexual imposition, with the four-year term to be served concurrently with the seven year terms and the seven year terms to be served consecutively. Thus, appellant received an aggregate sentence of fourteen years. The trial court also found appellant to be a sexual predator.

{¶ 5} Appellant appeals from the trial court's judgment entry of sentence and sexual predator determination raising four assignments of error:

{¶ 6} "[1.] The trial court erred to the prejudice of the defendant-appellant when it ordered a term of imprisonment by making findings under the applicable sentencing statutes that were not supported by the record.

{¶ 7} "[2.] The trial court erred to the prejudice of the defendant-appellant when it ordered consecutive sentences.

{¶ 8} "[3.] The trial court committed reversible error when it labeled the defendant-appellant a sexual predator against the manifest weight of the evidence.

{¶ 9} "[4.] The trial court erred when it sentenced the defendant-appellant to more than the minimum prison term and consecutive sentences based upon a finding of factors not found by the jury or admitted by the defendant-appellant in violation of the defendant-appellant's state and federal constitutional rights to trial by jury."1

{¶ 10} In his first assignment of error, appellant contends the trial court erred in imposing a term of imprisonment.

{¶ 11} We review a felony sentence de novo. State v. Bradford (June 2, 2001), 11th Dist. No. 2000-L-103, 2001 Ohio App. LEXIS 2487.3. We will not disturb a sentence unless we find, by clear and convincing evidence, that the record does not support the sentence or that the sentence is contrary to law. Id. "Clear and convincing evidence is that evidence which will produce in the mind of the trier of fact a firm belief or conviction as to the facts sought to be established." Id.

{¶ 12} Appellant pleaded guilty to a third degree felony and two second-degree felonies. There is no presumption for or against a term of imprisonment for a third degree felony. R.C. 2929.13(C). For a second degree felony, it is presumed a prison term is necessary to comply with the purposes and principles of sentencing under R.C. 2929.11. R.C.2929.13(D).

{¶ 13} When determining the sentence to impose the trial court must consider the factors set forth in R.C. 2929.12 relating to the seriousness of the offense and the offender's likelihood of recidivism. R.C. 2929.12(A).

{¶ 14} Factors the court must consider that indicate an offender's conduct is more serious than conduct normally constituting the offense are:

{¶ 15} "(1) The physical or mental injury suffered by the victim of the offense due to the conduct of the offender was exacerbated because of the physical or mental condition or age of the victim.

{¶ 16} "(2) The victim of the offense suffered serious physical, psychological, or economic harm as a result of the offense.

{¶ 17} "(3) The offender held a public office or position of trust in the community, and the offense related to that office or position.

{¶ 18} "(4) The offender's occupation, elected office, or profession obliged the offender to prevent the offense or bring others committing it to justice.

{¶ 19} "(5) The offender's professional reputation or occupation, elected office, or profession was used to facilitate the offense or is likely to influence the future conduct of others.

{¶ 20} "(6) The offender's relationship with the victim facilitated the offense.

{¶ 21} "(7) The offender committed the offense for hire or as a part of an organized criminal activity.

{¶ 22} "(8) In committing the offense, the offender was motivated by prejudice based on race, ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.

{¶ 23} "(9) If the offense is a violation of section 2919.25 or a violation of section 2903.11, 2903.12, or 2903.13 of the Revised Code involving a person who was a family or household member at the time of the violation, the offender committed the offense in the vicinity of one or more children who are not victims of the offense, and the offender or the victim of the offense is a parent, guardian, custodian, or person in loco parentis of one or more of those children." R.C. 2929.12(B)(1)-(9).

{¶ 24} The trial court must consider the following factors that indicate the offender's conduct is less serious than conduct normally constituting the offense:

{¶ 25} "(1) The victim induced or facilitated the offense.

{¶ 26} "(2) In committing the offense, the offender acted under strong provocation.

{¶ 27} "(3) In committing the offense, the offender did not cause or expect to cause physical harm to any person or property.

{¶ 28}

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Bluebook (online)
2004 Ohio 7239, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-morales-unpublished-decision-12-23-2004-ohioctapp-2004.