State v. Rappuhn

2024 Ohio 1200

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: March 28, 2024
• Docket: 2023 CA 00084
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as State v. Rappuhn, 2024-Ohio-1200.]

COURT OF APPEALS LICKING COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

JUDGES: STATE OF OHIO : Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J. : Hon. William B. Hoffman, J. Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J. : -vs- : : Case No. 2023 CA 00084 SASHA RAPPUHN : : Defendant-Appellant : OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Licking County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 23CR00434

JUDGMENT: Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: March 28, 2024

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant

JENNY WELLS TODD W. BARSTOW Licking County Prosecutor 261 W. Johnstown Road, Ste. 204 BY: KENNETH W. OSWALT Columbus, OH 43230 Assistant Prosecutor 20 S. Second Street,4th Floor Newark, OH 43055 [Cite as State v. Rappuhn, 2024-Ohio-1200.]

Gwin, P.J.

{¶1} Defendant-appellant Sasha Rappuhn [“Rappuhn”] appeals her convictions

and sentences after a negotiated guilty plea in the Licking County Court of Common

Pleas.

Facts and Procedural History

{¶2} On June 20, 2023, Rappuhn was indicted on two counts of Violating a

Protection Order, both felonies of the fifth degree in violation of R.C. 2919.27. [Docket

Entry No. 10].

{¶3} On September 20, 2023, Rappuhn filed a motion to change her plea.

[Docket Entry No. 21]. On October 18, 2023, Rappuhn filed a written Admission of Guilty

to the charges. [Docket Entry No. 25]. The entry stated that the parties jointly agreed to

recommend a six-month sentence. Id.

{¶4} At the change of plea hearing held October 18, 2023, the prosecutor's

recitation of the facts revealed that on June 17, 2023, Newark Police officers were

dispatched to a Taco Bell in Newark. Plea T., Oct. 18, 2023 at 9. S.M., who worked at the

Taco Bell, had a protection order against Rappuhn. H.B., another Taco Bell employee,

and Rappuhn’s spouse, was also present. Id. at 10. H.B. also had a protection order

against Rappuhn. S.B. told the police that she observed Rappuhn loitering at the

restaurant. Id. at 9-10. When the police found Rappuhn in the parking lot of a nearby

restaurant, she explained that she had been at the Taco Bell to try to speak to her wife,

H.B. Id. at 10. Further, Rappuhn had previously been convicted of violating a protection

order in Licking County Municipal Court Case No. 23 CRB 301. Id. Licking County, Case No. 2023 CA 00084 3

{¶5} After explaining her constitutional and non-constitutional rights, the trial

judge accepted Rappuhn’s guilty pleas. A pre-sentence investigation report had been filed

with the trial court. The trial judge sentenced Rappuhn to Community Control for a period

of three years. He further ordered Rappuhn to enter into and successfully complete a

community-based corrections facility program, STAR. Rappuhn was notified that if she

violates the terms of her Community Control, she will be sentenced to a term of one year

on Count One and one year on Count Two, consecutive.

{¶6} Rappuhn vehemently disagreed claiming she did not need treatment, and

she needed to go back to Michigan to care for her son.

Assignment of Error

{¶7} Rappuhn raises one Assignment of Error,

{¶8} “I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF APPELLANT BY

SENTENCING HER IN CONTRAVENTION OF OHIO'S SENTENCING STATUTES.”

Law and Analysis

{¶9} We review felony sentences using the standard of review set forth in R.C.

2953.08. State v. Marcum, 146 Ohio St.3d 516, 2016-Ohio-1002, 59 N.E.3d 1231, ¶22;

State v. Howell, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2015CA00004, 2015-Ohio-4049, ¶31. R.C.

2953.08(G)(2) provides we may either increase, reduce, modify, or vacate a sentence

and remand for resentencing where we clearly and convincingly find that either the record

does not support the sentencing court’s findings under R.C. 2929.13(B) or (D),

2929.14(B)(2)(e) or (C)(4), or 2929.20(I), or the sentence is otherwise contrary to law.

See, also, State v. Bonnell, 140 Ohio St.3d 209, 2014-Ohio-3177, 16 N.E.2d 659, ¶28. Licking County, Case No. 2023 CA 00084 4

{¶10} Clear and convincing evidence is that evidence “which will provide in the

mind of the trier of facts a firm belief or conviction as to the facts sought to be established.”

Cross v. Ledford, 161 Ohio St. 469, 120 N.E.2d 118 (1954), paragraph three of the

syllabus. See also, In re Adoption of Holcomb, 18 Ohio St.3d 361, 481 N.E.2d 613 (1985).

“Where the degree of proof required to sustain an issue must be clear and convincing, a

reviewing court will examine the record to determine whether the trier of facts had

sufficient evidence before it to satisfy the requisite degree of proof.” Cross, 161 Ohio St.

at 477, 120 N.E.2d 118.

{¶11} The Ohio Supreme Court reviewed the issue of “whether a sentence is

“contrary to law” under R.C. 2953.08(G)(2)(b) when an appellate court finds that the

record does not support a sentence with respect to R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12. State v.

Jones, 163 Ohio St.3d 242, 2020-Ohio-6729, 169 N.E.3d 649. Although a court imposing

a felony sentence must consider the purposes of felony sentencing under R.C. 2929.11

and the sentencing factors under R.C. 2929.12, “neither R.C. 2929.11 nor 2929.12

requires [the] court to make any specific factual findings on the record.” Id. at ¶ 20, citing

State v. Wilson, 129 Ohio St.3d 214, 2011-Ohio-2669, 951 N.E.2d 381, ¶ 31, and State

v. Arnett, 88 Ohio St.3d 208, 215, 724 N.E.2d 793 (2000). R.C. 2953.08(G)(2)(b) does

not provide a basis for an appellate court to modify or vacate a sentence based on its

view that the sentence is not supported by the record under R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12.

State v. Jones, 163 Ohio St.3d 242, 2020-Ohio-6729, 169 N.E.3d 649, ¶39. The Ohio

Supreme Court further elucidated in State v. Toles, 166 Ohio St.3d 397, 2021-Ohio-3531,

186 N.E.3d 784, ¶10, “R.C. 2953.08, as amended, precludes second-guessing a Licking County, Case No. 2023 CA 00084 5

sentence imposed by the trial court based on its weighing of the considerations in R.C.

2929.11 and 2929.12.”

{¶12} “‘Otherwise contrary to law’ means “‘in violation of statute or legal

regulations at a given time.’” Jones at ¶ 34 quoting Black’s Law Dictionary 328 (6th Ed.

1990). Accordingly, when a trial court imposes a sentence based on factors or

considerations that are extraneous to those that are permitted by R.C. 2929.11 and

2929.12, that sentence is contrary to law. Claims that raise these types of issues are

therefore reviewable. State v. Bryant, 168 Ohio St.3d 250, 2022-Ohio-1878, 198 N.E.3d

68, ¶22.

Purposes and Principles of Felony Sentencing - R.C. 2929.11

{¶13} R.C. 2929.11(A) governs the purposes and principles of felony sentencing

and provides that a sentence imposed for a felony shall be reasonably calculated to

achieve the two overriding purposes of felony sentencing, which are (1) to protect the

public from future crime by the offender and others, and (2) to punish the offender using

the minimum sanctions that the court determines will accomplish those purposes. In order

to achieve these purposes and principles, the trial court must consider the need for

incapacitating the offender, deterring the offender and others from future crime,

rehabilitating the offender, and making restitution to the victim of the offense, the public,

or both. R.C. 2929.11(A). Additionally, the sentence “must be commensurate with, and

not demeaning to, the seriousness of the offender’s conduct and its impact on the victims

and consistent with sentences imposed for similar crimes by similar offenders.” R.C.

2929.11(B). Licking County, Case No. 2023 CA 00084 6

Seriousness and Recidivism - R.C. 2929.12

{¶14} R.C. 2929.12 is a guidance statute that sets forth the seriousness and

recidivism criteria that a trial court “shall consider” in fashioning a felony sentence.

Subsections (B) and (C) establish the factors indicating whether the offender’s conduct is

more serious or less serious than conduct normally constituting the offense. These factors

include the physical or mental injury suffered by the victim due to the age of the victim;

the physical, psychological, or economic harm suffered by the victim; whether the

offender’s relationship with the victim facilitated the offense; the defendant’s prior criminal

record; whether the defendant was under a court sanction at the time of the offense;

whether the defendant shows any remorse; and any other relevant factors. R.C.

2929.12(B). The court must also consider any factors indicating the offender’s conduct is

less serious than conduct normally constituting the offense, including any mitigating

factors. R.C. 2929.12(C). Subsections (D) and (E) contain the factors bearing on whether

the offender is likely or not likely to commit future crimes.

Issue for Appellate Review: Whether Rappuhn’s sentence was imposed based

on impermissible considerations—i.e., considerations that fall outside those that are

contained in R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12.

{¶15} In the instant case, the record demonstrates the trial court reviewed

Rappuhn’s PSI and listened to the statements from the prosecutor, defense counsel, and

Rappuhn. In open court and in its sentencing entry, the trial court indicated it considered

the seriousness and recidivism factors under R.C. 2929.11, R.C. 2929.12 and R.C.

2929.13. The maximum sentence for a fifth-degree felony is twelve months in prison. R.C.

2929.14(A)(5). Instead, the trial court sentenced Rappuhn to community control. The trial Licking County, Case No. 2023 CA 00084 7

court sentenced Rappuhn to a sentence that is permissible for felonies of the fifth degree

and she has not demonstrated that the trial court imposed the sentence “based on

impermissible considerations—i.e., considerations that fall outside those that are

contained in R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12.” State v. Cottrell, 5th Dist. Muskingum No.

CT2022-0061, 2023-Ohio-1391, ¶ 21, citing Bryant, supra.

{¶16} Rappuhn’s argument that her sentence violates the general assembly’s

intent to minimize the unnecessary burden on state and local government resources is

not well taken. In State v. Ober, 2nd Dist. No. 97CA0019, 1997 WL 624811 (Oct. 10,

1997), the Court considered this same issue. The Ober court concluded, “[a]lthough

resource burdens may be a relevant sentencing criterion, R.C. 2929.13(D) does not

require trial courts to elevate resource conservation above the seriousness and recidivism

factors.” Id.

{¶17} Several other appellate courts, including our own, considering these issues

have reached the same conclusion. See, e.g., State v. Hyland, 12th Dist. Butler No.

CA2005–05–103, 2006–Ohio–339, ¶ 32; State v. Brooks, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 97APA–

11–1543, 1998 WL 514111 (Aug. 18, 1998); State v. Stewart, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.

74691, 1999 WL 126940 (Mar. 4, 1999); State v. Fox, 3rd Dist. Wyandot No. 16–2000–

17, 2001 WL 218433 (Mar. 6, 2001); State v. Banks, 5th Dist. Ashland No. 12-COA-045,

2013-Ohio-2847, ¶27; State v. Miller, 5th Dist. Ashland No. 04–COA–003, 2004–Ohio–

4636. We agree with the reasoning of the Ober court and other courts considering this

issue and find no merit to Rappuhn’s argument.

{¶18} Likewise, Rappuhn’s appeal to this Court to adopt Justice Donnelly’s

dissenting opinion in State v. Jones, 163 Ohio St.3d 242, 2020-Ohio-6729, 169 N.E.3d Licking County, Case No. 2023 CA 00084 8

649 is unconvincing. [Appellant’s brief at 4]. Article IV of the Ohio Constitution designates

a system of “superior” and “inferior” courts, each possessing a distinct function. The

Constitution does not grant to a court of common pleas or to a court of appeals jurisdiction

to reverse or vacate a decision made by a superior court. See, State ex rel. Cordray v.

Marshall, 123 Ohio St.3d 229, 2009-Ohio-4986, 915 N.E.2d 666, ¶32; State, ex rel. Potain

v. Mathews, 59 Ohio St.2d 29, 32, 391 N.E.2d 343, 345 (1979); R.C. 2305.01. Unless

“anarchy [is] to prevail within [our] judicial system, a precedent of [a higher court] must be

followed by the lower [] courts no matter how misguided the judges of those courts may

think it to be.” Hutto v. Davis, 454 U.S. 370, 375, 102 S.Ct. 703, 70 L.Ed.2d 556 (1982).

{¶19} Upon review, we find that the trial court’s sentencing complies with

applicable rules and sentencing statutes. While Rappuhn may disagree with the weight

given to these factors by the trial judge, her sentence was within the applicable statutory

range and not based on impermissible considerations—i.e., considerations that fall

outside those that are contained in R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12; therefore, we have no

basis for concluding that it is contrary to law. State v. Elkins, 5th Dist. Knox No.

22CA000021, 2023-Ohio-1358, ¶ 22.

{¶20} Rappuhn’s sole Assignment of Error is overruled. Licking County, Case No. 2023 CA 00084 9

{¶21} The judgment of the Licking County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.

By Gwin, P.J.,

Hoffman, J., and

Baldwin, J., concur