State v. Dixon
State v. Dixon
Opinion of the Court
Defendant, Roy Dixon, appeals his convictions of production of pornography involving juveniles under the age of thirteen (count one) and sexual battery upon a juvenile under the age of thirteen (counts two and three). For the reasons that follow, we affirm defendant's convictions, vacate defendant's sentences, and remand this matter for resentencing in accordance with instructions.
Facts and Procedural History
On March 26, 2013, defendant was charged by bill of information with one count of production of pornography involving juveniles under the age of seventeen in violation of La. R.S. 14:81.1 (count one), and with two counts of sexual battery upon a juvenile under the age of thirteen in violation of La. R.S. 14:31.1 (counts two and three). Defendant pled not guilty on all counts on April 14, 2013. On September 24, 2013, defense counsel filed a motion for the appointment of a sanity commission, which was granted by the trial court. On November 11, 2013, the trial court conducted a competency hearing and found defendant competent to proceed to trial. On May 16, 2016, the State amended the bill of information to reflect the correct date of the offense on all counts. The bill of information was further amended on May *83315, 2017, correcting the offense in count one to production of pornography involving a juvenile under the age of thirteen.
On May 16, 2017, a twelve-person jury found defendant guilty on all counts. On May 17, 2017, defendant filed a motion for new trial and a motion for post-verdict judgment of acquittal, which the trial court denied. On August 24, 2017, defendant was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment at hard labor without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence on count one, and 99 years at hard labor without the benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence on counts two and three, with all counts to be served concurrently. Defendant filed a motion to reconsider sentence which was denied. This appeal followed.
Facts
Defendant was often the caretaker of his two-year old sister, L.D.,
Detective Jeffrey Laborie
During his investigation, Detective Laborie developed a potential suspect, "Allen," and went to 1402 Hancock Street where he spoke with C.D. about the cell phone and the number associated with it. C.D. told him that the cell phone belonged to her son, Roy, not "Allen." C.D. stated that she confronted defendant about videos on his phone, and told defendant that he was no longer welcome at her house. At that point, defendant became the potential suspect. While speaking with C.D., defendant approached the residence on his bicycle. Detective Laborie noticed that defendant was wearing the same clothing and matched the description he was previously given. Based on his corroborated observation, Detective Laborie approached defendant. Defendant appeared upset and was crying. Defendant spontaneously stated that he wanted to tell his side of the story. Detective Laborie transported defendant to the police station and placed him in a holding cell. While defendant was in the holding cell, Detective Laborie wrote his report in a nearby room equipped with a *834monitor which allowed him to view and hear defendant. Detective Laborie overheard defendant crying and saying to himself, "I'm so stupid. I can't believe I did that. I'm so lazy. I should have deleted those files. I lost my family. I will never be able to make up for this." Detective Laborie transcribed this statement "word for word" into his report as defendant was talking. At that point, Detective Laborie turned over his investigation to Sgt. Lewis Alvarez, who was a detective at the time.
Before interviewing defendant, Sgt. Alvarez obtained a search warrant for defendant's cell phone, on which three videos were found. Sgt. Alvarez stated that it was too dark to see anything on the first video. The second video depicted a black adult male's penis ejaculating on a toddler's vagina. The third video showed a black adult male's hand "playing with [toddler's] vagina." Sgt. Alvarez testified that he believed that there was more contraband on the phone, and he brought defendant from the holding cell to interview him. After being advised of his Miranda
When defendant was asked if he inserted his penis into L.D., defendant stated emphatically that he "never" put his penis in her vagina or anus, and "never" licked either. Defendant stated that he knew what he did was not right because L.D. could not protect herself, but stated that he did not hurt her. Defendant stated that he was "in jail because of the stuff that was on my memory card that I thought I deleted."
After his statement, defendant was placed under arrest. Sgt. Alvarez went to 1402 Hancock Street to locate L.D. and meet with C.D. He observed a toddler that was one or two years old, and learned that L.D. was born February 20, 2011, which corroborated what he was told by defendant.
*835Discussion
In his first assignment of error, defendant contends for the first time on appeal that his counsel failed to provide effective assistance of counsel at a critical stage in the proceeding against him. Specifically, defendant contends that counsel was ineffective when he participated in his competency hearing by telephone.
A criminal defendant is entitled to effective assistance of counsel under the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, § 13 of the Louisiana Constitution. To prove ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must show both that his counsel's performance was deficient, and that the deficiency prejudiced him. Strickland v. Washington,
In Cronic, the Supreme Court established that in limited circumstances prejudice could be presumed and the Strickland test would not be applicable. Cronic,
In Wright v. Van Patten,
In the case before us, defendant's counsel participated via telephone at defendant's competency hearing, and thus defendant was not completely denied counsel as contemplated under Cronic. Therefore, Strickland governs this ineffective assistance of counsel claim.
Based on a review of the record, defendant failed to establish that counsel was ineffective under Strickland 's two-prong test. Counsel actively participated in defendant's competency hearing, albeit by telephone. Defendant's counsel stated he received the doctor's report the day *836before and he reviewed it, even though he did not have time to discuss it with defendant. The report's contents provided that there were no grounds to find defendant incompetent and that he was competent to proceed with trial. Counsel joined the State's stipulation that if Dr. Rafael Salcedo and Dr. Richard Richoux were called to testify, they would qualify as experts in psychology and would testify consistently with the contents of their report. The trial court asked defendant if he understood the stipulation and he responded that he understood. Based on the joint stipulation, the trial court accepted the report into evidence and found defendant competent to proceed to trial. This Court also notes that defendant's motion for competency did not contain a memorandum or any facts supporting a theory of defendant's alleged incompetence. Further, defendant does not contend that if defense counsel had been physically present, the outcome would have been different. Under the circumstances of this case, we find that defendant was not prejudiced or denied effective assistance of counsel by counsel's participation in the competency hearing via telephone.
In his second assignment of error, defendant contends that the trial court erred by imposing excessive sentences on all three convictions. Defendant contends that while the facts of the offense are disturbing, (1) these offenses are not the worst in their class of offenses; (2) he is not the worst offender; (3) he is young; and (4) he is a first felony offender. Therefore, defendant contends maximum sentences are not appropriate. In his third assignment of error, defendant contends that the trial court erred in denying his motion to reconsider sentence.
The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, § 20 of the Louisiana Constitution prohibit the imposition of excessive punishment. A sentence is considered excessive, even if it is within the statutory limits, if it is grossly disproportionate to the offense or imposes needless and purposeless pain and suffering. State v. Horne, 11-204 (La. App. 5 Cir. 2/14/12),
When imposing sentences, a trial court has vast discretion in imposing a sentence within statutory limits. State v. Williams, 03-3514 (La. 12/13/04),
Sexually Battery of a Juvenile Under the Age of Thirteen (counts two and three) :
While we do not discount the seriousness of this offense or condone the repugnant behavior of defendant, we find that the trial court abused its sentencing discretion and that defendant's 99-year sentences for his convictions for sexual battery of a juvenile under the age of thirteen (counts two and three) under these facts and this first-time offender are constitutionally excessive. We find that defendant's conduct does not fit the class of the most serious violations of the offense charged, nor is he considered to be the worst type of offender committing the charged offense, which are necessary for the imposition of a maximum sentence. As discussed herein, we explain our reasons based on the application and consideration of each of the three factors used to determine whether a sentence is constitutionally excessive.
In addressing the first factor, the nature of the crime, this Court has held that a maximum, or nearly maximum sentence for sexual battery of a minor may not be excessive if a defendant exploits a position of trust to commit the crime. State v. Wilmot, 13-994 (La. App. 5 Cir. 05/14/14),
In this circuit, Wilmot,
In Wilmot, this Court affirmed defendant's 99-year sentence for sexual battery of a juvenile under the age of thirteen.
Jurisprudence from other Louisiana circuits confirms that maximum sentences or near maximum sentences are reserved for crimes where the nature of the crime is one of long-term repeated abuse of the victim. See State v. Morgan, 97-997 (La. App. 3 Cir. 02/04/98),
Considering defendant's lack of any prior criminal record, that he apparently had never done anything like this before, and other circumstances of this case, we do not believe defendant is typical of sexual offenders who receive the maximum sentence. Unlike the facts in Wilmot,
As to the second factor, the nature and background of the offender, defendant had no prior felony criminal record. Defendants with extensive criminal records are more likely to receive a maximum or near maximum sentence for sexual battery of a juvenile under the age of thirteen. In State v. Blake, 50,732 (La. App. 2 Cir. 06/22/16),
Defendants with less extensive criminal records than the defendant in Blake,
In addressing the third factor, sentences imposed for similar but somewhat more serious crimes by defendants convicted for crimes involving limited instances of abuse by offenders who have no criminal record, received sentences between 35 to 45 years. In State v. Lilly, 2012-0008 (La. App. 1 Cir. 09/21/12),
Considering the above factors, the jurisprudence, and the particular facts in this case, we find the evidence does not support a conclusion that this crime was the most serious violation of the offense charged, and that it was committed by the worst type offender. While we do not condone or excuse defendant's disgusting behavior, we do not believe defendant is a typical sex offender of these classes. At the time of the offense, defendant was a young homosexual male adult, who appears to have performed these repugnant acts on his sister solely in exchange for nude photographs of an individual named Brad. Defendant admitted to taking the photographs and videos of L.D. wherein he touched her vagina with his hand and ejaculated on her, but did not touch or penetrate L.D. with his mouth and/or penis. Defendant has no prior felony criminal record, he graduated from high school and was gainfully employed at the time of the instant offense. Under the atypical facts of this case, defendant's maximum sentence of 99 years without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence is grossly disproportionate to the offense *841charged, and far greater than other affirmed sentences for more serious crimes, or committed by multiple offenders, or both. Therefore, we vacate defendant's sentences for sexual battery of a juvenile under the age of thirteen (counts two and three) and remand this matter for resentencing.
Pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. art. 881.4A, this Court may provide direction regarding a constitutionally reasonable sentence in a given case. Considering the factors enumerated above and the unique facts of this case, we suggest that a sentence of thirty-five to forty years imprisonment at hard on counts two and three to run concurrently with defendant's sentence on count one would be the longest sentence we could conclude to be not constitutionally excessive on appeal.
Production of Pornography Involving Juvenile Under the Age of Thirteen (count one):
Defendant was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment at hard labor without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence for production of pornography involving juvenile under the age of thirteen. At the time of this offense, La. R.S. 14:81.1E(5)(b) provided that offenders over the age of seventeen who produced pornography involving juveniles under the age of thirteen shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not less than 25 years nor more than 99 years, with at least twenty-five years without the benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.
Appellate courts may correct an illegal sentence at any time. La. C.Cr.P. art. 882. However, illegally lenient sentences may be corrected only on appeal by the state, or when such illegality is discoverable by mere inspection of the pleadings. State v. Kelly, 2015-0484 (La. 06/29/16),
In accordance with La. C.Cr.P. art. 881.4A, and considering the facts of this case as stated above, we suggest that a sentence of 35 to 40 years imprisonment at hard labor for the conviction of production of pornography involving a juvenile under the age of thirteen, to run concurrently with defendant's sentences for sexual battery, would not be constitutionally excessive.
*842Errors Patent Discussion
The record was reviewed for errors patent, according to the mandates of La. C.Cr.P. art. 920 ; State v. Oliveaux,
We find there are discrepancies between the Louisiana Uniform Commitment Order (UCO), the commitment, and the transcript. If "there is a discrepancy between the minutes and the transcript, the transcript must prevail." State v. Lynch,
The UCO reflects the offense date as August 1, 2012, when the record reflects that the offense dates were on or between July 1, 2012 and January 26, 2013. Additionally, the commitment and UCO reflect that defendant was convicted of pornography involving juveniles under the age of thirteen. However, the record and evidence show that defendant was charged by bill of information with, and convicted of, production of pornography involving juveniles under the age of thirteen. This Court has previously remanded a case for correction of the commitment and the UCO in its error patent review. See State v. Lyons, 13-564 (La. App. 5 Cir. 1/31/14),
Conclusion
For the reasons stated herein, defendant's convictions are affirmed, his sentences are vacated, and this matter is remanded for resentencing and compliance with this Court's instructions.
CONVICTIONS AFFIRMED; SENTENCES VACATED; REMANDED
To preserve the confidentiality of the minor victim's identity in this case, the victim, the victim's family members, and other related witnesses will be referred to by their initials. La. R.S. 46:1 ; 844 W.
Detective Laborie testified that he was a patrol officer at the time of the incident.
Miranda v. Arizona,
Sgt. Alvarez testified that they subsequently learned that defendant was referring to Brad Case, not "Brad Howard," who pled guilty to distribution of child pornography in April 2013.
Sgt Alvarez obtained another search warrant for the Samsung cell phone requesting a "dump of the phone." A search warrant was also obtained for 1402 Hancock Street for any additional electronic devices belonging to defendant. A laptop was located in defendant's bedroom and a search warrant was obtained for its contents. The Samsung cell phone and laptop were sent to the digital forensics unit.
In Haider,
In his motion to reconsider sentence, defendant contended that his sentence was "excessive and improper in violation of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana and the United States Constitution." A motion to reconsider sentence must set forth specific grounds upon which the motion is based. La. C.Cr.P. art. 881.1. The failure to state the specific grounds upon which a motion to reconsider is based precludes a defendant from raising issues relating to statutory errors or deficiencies, such as compliance with C.Cr.P. art. 894.1, and limits a defendant to review of the sentence for constitutional excessiveness only. State v. Hunter, 11-787 (La. App. 5 Cir. 4/24/12),
The United States Supreme Court held that it is " 'Highly relevant-if not essential-to [the] selection of an appropriate sentence is the possession of the fullest information possible concerning the defendant's life and characteristics.' Permitting sentencing courts to consider the widest possible breadth of information about a defendant 'ensures that the punishment will suit not merely the offenses, but the individual defendant.' " Pepper v. United States,
The trial court uses a different criteria to determine the length of a sentence. First, the trial court must consider the aggravating and mitigating circumstances enumerated in La. C.Cr.P. art. 894.1. State v. Evans, 48,471 (La. App. 2 Cir 12/18/13),
In Blake, the victim was five years old at the time of the abuse. Blake,
In Evans, the defendant was 51 years old and the father of the victim, who was six-years old. Evans,
Defendant and his wife were babysitting his wife's grandchildren, when defendant touched the four-year old victim's vagina with his fingertip one time during a hug. Defendant gave a statement that he touched the victim, but at trial stated the police coerced him into making the statement. Lilly,
In Redfearn, the mother walked in on the defendant/father naked on top of their five year old victim/daughter. Testimony established that defendant touched victim with his penis and finger while there two young boys were in bed watching. Redfearn,
R.S. 14:81.1, in pertinent part:
* * *
E(4) Whoever engages in the promotion, advertisement, or production of pornography involving juveniles shall be fined not more than fifteen thousand dollars and be imprisoned at hard labor for not less than ten years or more than twenty years, without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.
(5) * * *
(b) Whoever commits the crime of pornography involving juveniles punishable by the provisions of Paragraph (4) of this Subsection when the victim is under the age of thirteen years, and the offender is seventeen years of age or older, shall be punished by imprisonment at hard labor for not less than twenty-five years nor more than ninety-nine years. At least twenty-five years of the sentence imposed shall be served without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.