State v. Taylor

2023 Ohio 562

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: February 27, 2023
• Docket: 6-22-13 & 6-22-14
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as State v. Taylor, 2023-Ohio-562.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT HARDIN COUNTY

STATE OF OHIO,

PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, CASE NO. 6-22-13

v.

MICHAEL FLOYD TAYLOR, OPINION

DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.

PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, CASE NO. 6-22-14

Appeals from Hardin County Common Pleas Court Trial Court Nos. CRI 20222067 and CRI 20222082

Judgments Affirmed

Date of Decision: February 27, 2023

APPEARANCES:

Emily P. Beckley for Appellant

McKenzie J. Klingler for Appellee Case Nos. 6-22-13, 6-22-14

MILLER, P.J.

{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Michael Floyd Taylor, appeals the August 23,

2022 judgments of sentence of the Hardin County Court of Common Pleas. For the

reasons that follow, we affirm.

I. Facts & Procedural History

{¶2} On June 16, 2022, Taylor was indicted on the following counts in case

number CRI20222067: one count of aggravated possession of drugs in violation of

R.C. 2925.11(A), a third-degree felony, one count of aggravated possession of drugs

in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A), a fifth-degree felony, one count of possessing drug

abuse instruments in violation of R.C. 2925.12(A), a first-degree misdemeanor, one

count of illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia in violation of R.C.

2925.14(C)(1), a fourth-degree misdemeanor, and one count of aggravated

trafficking in drugs in violation of R.C. 2925.03(A), a third-degree felony. On June

22, 2022, Taylor appeared for arraignment and pleaded not guilty to the counts of

the indictment.

{¶3} On August 8, 2022, a bill of information was entered in case number

CRI20222082 charging Taylor with two counts of aggravated possession of drugs

in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A), fifth-degree felonies. At a hearing held that day,

Taylor entered guilty pleas to these two counts. The trial court accepted Taylor’s

pleas and found him guilty. At the same time, Taylor pleaded guilty to one count

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of third-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs in case number

CRI20222067. The trial court accepted Taylor’s guilty plea and found him guilty.

The remaining counts in case number CRI20222067 were dismissed by the trial

court.

{¶4} A sentencing hearing was held on August 22, 2022. In case number

CRI20222067, the trial court sentenced Taylor to 30 months in prison for aggravated

possession of drugs. In case number CRI20222082, the trial court sentenced Taylor

to 12 months in prison for each count of aggravated possession of drugs. The trial

court ordered that the 12-month sentences be served concurrently with one another

but consecutively to the 30-month sentence imposed in the prior case.

Consequently, the trial court sentenced Taylor to an aggregate term of 42 months’

imprisonment. The trial court filed its judgment entries of sentence on August 23,

2022.

II. Assignments of Error

{¶5} On August 29, 2022, Taylor timely filed notices of appeal. Taylor’s

appeals were subsequently consolidated for purposes of briefing and argument. He

raises the following two assignments of error for our review:

1. Appellant’s sentence was not supported by sufficient evidence for the reason the trial court abused its discretion.

2. The trial court erred in sentencing appellant to consecutive sentences.

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Because they concern related issues, we consider Taylor’s assignments of error

together.

III. Discussion

{¶6} In his assignments of error, Taylor argues that his prison sentences are

unsupported by the record or otherwise contrary to law. Taylor argues that his

individual prison sentences are inconsistent with the principles and purposes of

felony sentencing set forth in R.C. 2929.11 and that the seriousness and recidivism

factors in R.C. 2929.12 do not support the sentences imposed. Taylor also contends

that his consecutive sentences are contrary to law because the trial court failed to

make consecutive-sentencing findings as required by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4).

A. Standard of Review

{¶7} Under R.C. 2953.08(G)(2), an appellate court will reverse a sentence

“only if it determines by clear and convincing evidence that the record does not

support the trial court’s findings under relevant statutes or that the sentence is

otherwise contrary to law.” State v. Marcum, 146 Ohio St.3d 516, 2016-Ohio-1002,

¶ 1. Clear and convincing evidence is that “‘which will produce in the mind of the

trier of facts a firm belief or conviction as to the facts sought to be

established.’” Id. at ¶ 22, quoting Cross v. Ledford, 161 Ohio St. 469 (1954),

paragraph three of the syllabus.

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B. Felony Sentencing & R.C. 2929.11, 2929.12, & 2929.14

{¶8} “‘Trial courts have full discretion to impose any sentence within the

statutory range.’” State v. Smith, 3d Dist. Seneca No. 13-15-17, 2015-Ohio-4225, ¶

9, quoting State v. Noble, 3d Dist. Logan No. 8-14-06, 2014-Ohio-5485, ¶ 9. A

sentence imposed within the statutory range is generally valid so long as the trial

court considered the applicable statutory policies that apply to every felony

sentencing, including those contained in R.C. 2929.11, and the sentencing factors

of 2929.12. See State v. Watts, 3d Dist. Auglaize No. 2-20-10, 2020-Ohio-5572, ¶

10 and 14; State v. Maggette, 3d Dist. Seneca No. 13-16-06, 2016-Ohio-5554, ¶ 31.

{¶9} R.C. 2929.11 provides, in pertinent part, that the “overriding purposes

of felony sentencing are to protect the public from future crime by the offender and

others, to punish the offender, and to promote the effective rehabilitation of the

offender using the minimum sanctions that the court determines accomplish those

purposes without imposing an unnecessary burden on state or local government

resources.” R.C. 2929.11(A). To achieve the overriding purposes of felony

sentencing, R.C. 2929.11 directs courts to “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.” Id. In addition, R.C. 2929.11(B) instructs that a sentence imposed for a

felony “shall be reasonably calculated to achieve the three overriding purposes of

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felony sentencing * * *, commensurate with and not demeaning to the seriousness

of the offender’s conduct and its impact upon the victim, and consistent with

sentences imposed for similar crimes committed by similar offenders.”

{¶10} “In accordance with these principles, the trial court must consider the

factors set forth in R.C. 2929.12(B)-(E) relating to the seriousness of the offender’s

conduct and the likelihood of the offender’s recidivism.” Smith at ¶ 10, citing R.C.

2929.12(A). In addition, the trial court must consider “the factors set forth in [R.C.

2929.12(F)] pertaining to the offender’s service in the armed forces of the United

States.” R.C. 2929.12(A). “‘A sentencing court has broad discretion to determine

the relative weight to assign the sentencing factors in R.C. 2929.12.’” Smith at ¶

15, quoting State v. Brimacombe, 195 Ohio App.3d 524, 2011-Ohio-5032, ¶ 18 (6th

Dist.), citing State v. Arnett, 88 Ohio St.3d 208, 215 (2000).

{¶11} “Except as provided in * * * [R.C. 2929.14(C)], * * * a prison term,

jail term, or sentence of imprisonment shall be served concurrently with any other

prison term, jail term, or sentence of imprisonment imposed by a court of this state,

another state, or the United States.” R.C. 2929.41(A). R.C. 2929.14(C) provides,

in relevant part:

(4) If multiple prison terms are imposed on an offender for convictions of multiple offenses, the court may require the offender to serve the prison terms consecutively if the court finds that the consecutive service is necessary to protect the public from future crime or to punish the offender and that consecutive sentences are not disproportionate to the seriousness of the offender’s conduct and to

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the danger the offender poses to the public, and if the court also finds any of the following:

(a) The offender committed one or more of the multiple offenses while the offender was awaiting trial or sentencing, was under a sanction imposed pursuant to [R.C. 2929.16, 2929.17, or 2929.18], or was under post-release control for a prior offense.

(b) At least two of the multiple offenses were committed as part of one or more courses of conduct, and the harm caused by two or more of the multiple offenses so committed was so great or unusual that no single prison term for any of the offenses committed as part of any of the courses of conduct adequately reflects the seriousness of the offender’s conduct.

(c) The offender’s history of criminal conduct demonstrates that consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public from future crime by the offender.

R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(a)-(c).

{¶12} “R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) requires a trial court to make specific findings on

the record before imposing consecutive sentences.” State v. Nienberg, 3d Dist.

Putnam Nos. 12-16-15 and 12-16-16, 2017-Ohio-2920, ¶ 17. “Specifically, the trial

court must find: (1) consecutive sentences are necessary to either protect the public

or punish the offender; (2) the sentences would not be disproportionate to the

offense committed; and (3) one of the factors in R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(a), (b), or (c)

applies.” Id. When imposing consecutive sentences, the trial court must make the

findings required by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) at the sentencing hearing and incorporate

those findings into its sentencing entry. State v. Bonnell, 140 Ohio St.3d 209, 2014-

Ohio-3177, ¶ 29 and 37.

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C. Taylor’s prison sentence is neither unsupported by the record nor contrary to law.

{¶13} In this case, Taylor was sentenced to 30 months in prison for third-

degree felony aggravated possession of drugs. For third-degree felony aggravated

possession of drugs, “the prison term shall be a definite term of nine, twelve,

eighteen, twenty-four, thirty, or thirty-six months.” R.C. 2929.14(A)(3)(b). Thus,

the trial court sentenced Taylor within the statutory range for a third-degree felony.

As for the fifth-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs offenses, the trial court

sentenced Taylor to 12 months in prison for each offense. For fifth-degree felony

aggravated possession of drugs, “the prison term shall be a definite term of six,

seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, or twelve months.” R.C. 2929.14(A)(5). Once again,

the trial court sentenced Taylor within the applicable statutory range.

{¶14} In addition, the record reflects that the trial court considered R.C.

2929.11 and 2929.12 when it sentenced Taylor. At various points during the

sentencing hearing, the trial court mentioned the seriousness and recidivism factors

in general and several of the factors specifically. (Aug. 22, 2022 Tr. at 4-5, 9-10,

12-14, 18). Moreover, in its judgment entries of sentence, the trial court indicated

that it had considered “the principles and purposes of sentencing under Ohio

Revised Code Section 2929.11” and “balanced the seriousness and recidivism

factors in Ohio Revised Code Section 2929.12.” The trial court also mentioned the

particular R.C. 2929.12(B)-(E) factors it found to be relevant. Therefore, because

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Taylor’s individual sentences are within the applicable statutory ranges and the

record supports that the trial court fulfilled its obligation of considering R.C.

2929.11 and 2929.12, Taylor’s individual sentences are valid. See Watts, 2020-

Ohio-5572, at ¶ 14.

{¶15} Nevertheless, Taylor argues that his individual prison sentences are

unsupported by the record or contrary to law because “[t]he trial court did not take

into account the recidivism less likely factors that the trial court is to take into

consideration in felony sentencing nor did the court take into account the

rehabilitation or treatment factor in felony sentencing.” (Appellant’s Brief at 8-9).

He further notes that the State had agreed that he could “override the seriousness

factors” and that the State said “he is willing and determined to take the step to get

into treatment.” (Appellant’s Brief at 9).

{¶16} Although “R.C. 2953.08(G)(2)(a) permits an appellate court to modify

or vacate a sentence if it clearly and convincingly finds that ‘the record does not

support the sentencing court’s findings under’ certain specified statutory

provisions[,] * * * R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12 are not among the statutory provisions

listed in R.C. 2953.08(G)(2)(a).” State v. Jones, 163 Ohio St.3d 242, 2020-Ohio-

6729, ¶ 28. Furthermore, “an appellate court’s determination that the record does

not support a sentence does not equate to a determination that the sentence is

‘otherwise contrary to law’ as that term is used in R.C. 2953.08(G)(2)(b).” Id. at ¶

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32. Thus, R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) “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.” Id. at ¶ 39. “[A]n appellate court errs

if it * * * modifies or vacates a sentence ‘based on the lack of support in the record

for the trial court’s findings under R.C. 2929.11 and R.C. 2929.12.’” State v.

Dorsey, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 28747, 2021-Ohio-76, ¶ 17, quoting Jones at ¶

29.

{¶17} Accordingly, insofar as Taylor argues that his sentences are not

supported by the record under R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12, we cannot vacate or

modify his sentences on that basis. Taylor’s individual sentences are within the

applicable statutory ranges, and it is clear that the trial court considered R.C.

2929.11 and 2929.12. Hence, Taylor’s individual sentences are not contrary to law.

{¶18} Regarding his consecutive sentences, Taylor claims only that “the trial

court never mention[ed] the statutorily required findings pursuant to R.C.

2929.14(C)(4)(a)-(c).” (Appellant’s Brief at 10). But this is inaccurate. Both at the

sentencing hearing and in its judgment entries of sentence, the trial court made all

of the findings required by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4). As a result, the trial court complied

with its obligations under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), and Taylor’s consecutive sentences

are not contrary to law.

{¶19} Taylor’s first and second assignments of error are overruled.

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IV. Conclusion

{¶20} For the foregoing reasons, Taylor’s assignments of error are overruled.

Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant herein in the particulars assigned

and argued, we affirm the judgments of the Hardin County Court of Common Pleas.

WILLAMOWSKI and ZIMMERMAN, J.J., concur.

/jlr

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