State v. Stackhouse

2025 Ohio 5464
Ohio Court of Appeals·Decided December 8, 2025·No. 13-25-06·Published

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT

SENECA COUNTY

STATE OF OHIO, CASE NO. 13-25-06 PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, v.

TYRICE STACKHOUSE, OPINION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY

DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.

Appeal from Seneca County Common Pleas Court Trial Court No. 24 CR 0170

Judgment Affirmed

Date of Decision: December 8, 2025

APPEARANCES:

Brian A. Smith for Appellant Stephanie J. Kiser for Appellee

ZIMMERMAN, J.

{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Tyrice Stackhouse (“Stackhouse”), appeals the January 14, 2025 judgment entry of sentence of the Seneca County Court of Common Pleas. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.

{¶2} This case stems from a single-vehicle accident in Fostoria, Ohio, where Stackhouse was found therein unresponsive. The vehicle, which was registered to his then girlfriend, April Iannantuono (“Iannantuono”), contained large quantities of drugs that Stackhouse initially claimed were his, allegedly to protect Iannantuono.

{¶3} On June 20, 2024, the Seneca County Grand Jury indicted Stackhouse on Count One of aggravated possession of drugs in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A), (C)(1)(c), a second-degree felony; Count Two of possession of cocaine in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A), (C)(4)(e), a first-degree felony; and Count Three of possession of a fentanyl-related compound in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A), (C)(11)(b), a fourth-degree felony. On August 28, 2024, Stackhouse appeared for arraignment and pleaded not guilty.

{¶4} The case proceeded to a jury trial on December 16-17, 2024. Before the presentation of evidence, the State moved to exclude evidence of Iannantuono’s

prior criminal (drug) conduct that resulted in an intervention in lieu of conviction.1 On December 17, 2024, the jury found Stackhouse guilty of all three counts alleged in the indictment.

{¶5} On January 14, 2025, the trial court sentenced Stackhouse to a minimum term of 6 years to a maximum term of 9 years in prison on Count One; to a minimum term of 8 years to a maximum term of 12 years in prison on Count Two; and to 16 months in prison on Count Three. The trial court ordered the sentences imposed as to Counts One and Two to be served consecutively, and the sentence for Count Three to be served concurrently to the others, for an aggregate indefinite prison term of 14 to 18 years. The trial court also ordered this aggregate sentence to be served consecutively to a sentence that Stackhouse was already serving in a Wood County case.

{¶6} Stackhouse filed his notice of appeal on January 14, 2025. He raises three assignments of error for our review.

First Assignment of Error

Because the jury lost its way and created a manifest miscarriage of justice in convicting Appellant, Appellant’s convictions, with respect to all counts, were against the manifest weight of the evidence.

{¶7} In his first assignment of error, Stackhouse argues that his convictions are against the manifest weight of the evidence. In particular, Stackhouse contends

1 Even though Stackhouse subpoenaed Iannantuono to testify at trial, she did not appear to testify.

that the weight of the evidence reflects that Iannantuono was the one who actually possessed the drugs.

Standard of Review

{¶8} Manifest “weight of the evidence and sufficiency of the evidence are clearly different legal concepts.” State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 389 (1997). In determining whether a conviction is against the manifest weight of the evidence, a reviewing court must examine the entire record, “‘weigh[] the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider[] the credibility of witnesses and determine[] whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the [trier of fact] clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be reversed and a new trial ordered.’” Id. at 387, quoting State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175 (1st Dist. 1983). A reviewing court must, however, allow the trier of fact appropriate discretion on matters relating to the weight of the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses. State v. DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230, 231 (1967). When applying the manifest-weight standard, “[o]nly in exceptional cases, where the evidence ‘weighs heavily against the conviction,’ should an appellate court overturn the trial court’s judgment.” State v. Haller, 2012-Ohio-5233, ¶ 9 (3d Dist.), quoting State v. Hunter, 2011-Ohio-6524, ¶ 119.

Analysis

{¶9} Stackhouse was convicted of aggravated possession of drugs, possession of cocaine, and possession of a fentanyl-related compound. Ohio’s drug

possession statute provides, in its relevant part, that “[n]o person shall knowingly obtain, possess, or use a controlled substance or a controlled substance analog.” R.C. 2925.11(A). To secure a conviction for drug possession under R.C. 2925.11(A), the State must prove the defendant “knowingly” possessed a controlled substance. “A person acts knowingly, regardless of purpose, when the person is aware that the person’s conduct will probably cause a certain result or will probably be of a certain nature. A person has knowledge of circumstances when the person is aware that such circumstances probably exist.” R.C. 2901.22(B).

{¶10} On appeal, Stackhouse argues his convictions are against the manifest weight of the evidence, contending that the evidence suggesting Iannantuono possessed the drugs is more compelling than the evidence against him. “‘Possess’ or ‘possession’ means having control over a thing or substance, but may not be inferred solely from mere access to the thing or substance through ownership or occupation of the premises upon which the thing or substance is found.” R.C. 2925.01(K). “The issue of whether a person charged with drug possession knowingly possessed a controlled substance ‘is to be determined from all the attendant facts and circumstances available.’” State v. Brooks, 2012-Ohio-5235, ¶ 45 (3d Dist.), quoting State v. Teamer, 82 Ohio St.3d 490, 492 (1998).

{¶11} “Possession of drugs can be either actual or constructive.” State v.

Bustamante, 2013-Ohio-4975, ¶ 25 (3d Dist.). “‘A person has “actual possession” of an item if the item is within his immediate physical possession.’” Id., quoting

State v. Williams, 2004-Ohio-1130, ¶ 23 (4th Dist.). “A person has ‘constructive possession’ if he is able to exercise dominion and control over an item, even if the individual does not have immediate physical possession of it.” Id. “For constructive possession to exist, ‘[i]t must also be shown that the person was conscious of the presence of the object.’” Id., quoting State v. Hankerson, 70 Ohio St.2d 87, 91 (1982).

{¶12} “[T]he State may prove the existence of the various elements of constructive possession of contraband by circumstantial evidence alone.” Id. See also Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d at 272-273. “Readily usable drugs in close proximity to an accused may constitute sufficient circumstantial evidence to support a finding of constructive possession.” State v. Ruby, 2002-Ohio-5381, ¶ 36 (2d Dist.). “Absent a defendant’s admission, the surrounding facts and circumstances, including the defendant’s actions, are evidence that the trier of fact can consider in determining whether the defendant had constructive possession.” State v. Voll, 2012-Ohio-3900,

¶ 19 (3d Dist.).

{¶13} Consequently, since it is the only element that he challenges, we will address the weight of the evidence supporting whether Stackhouse possessed the drugs. Here, Stackhouse points to the evidence that the violent collision could have dislodged the drugs from a concealed part of the vehicle, meaning he never knowingly possessed them. He further contends that his on-scene admission was a false statement made only to protect Iannantuono, whose own drug history and

failure to testify at trial (even though Stackhouse subpoenaed her to testify) suggest that the contraband belonged to her.

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