State v. Butner, Unpublished Decision (6-30-2006)
State v. Butner, Unpublished Decision (6-30-2006)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} On February 14, 1992, appellant pled guilty and no contest to five counts of rape and five counts of gross sexual imposition. The remaining counts were dismissed. The trial court found appellant guilty on the no contest pleas. By corrected sentencing judgment entry filed February 26, 1992, the trial court sentenced appellant to an aggregate term of eight to twenty-five years in prison.
{¶ 3} On June 20, 2005, a hearing was held to determine appellant's status pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration Act, R.C. Chapter 2950. By order filed September 12, 2005, the trial court classified appellant as a "sexual predator."
{¶ 4} Appellant filed an appeal and this matter is now before this court for consideration. Assignment of error is as follows:
{¶ 7} In State v. Cook,
{¶ 8} R.C.
{¶ 9} "(3) In making a determination under divisions (B)(1) and (4) of this section as to whether an offender is a sexual predator, the judge shall consider all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
{¶ 10} "(a) The offender's or delinquent child's age;
{¶ 11} "(b) The offender's or delinquent child's prior criminal or delinquency record regarding all offenses, including, but not limited to, all sexual offenses;
{¶ 12} "(c) The age of the victim of the sexually oriented offense for which sentence is to be imposed or the order of disposition is to be made;
{¶ 13} "(d) Whether the sexually oriented offense for which sentence is to be imposed or the order of disposition is to be made involved multiple victims;
{¶ 14} "(e) Whether the offender or delinquent child used drugs or alcohol to impair the victim of the sexually oriented offense or to prevent the victim from resisting;
{¶ 15} "(f) If the offender or delinquent child previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to, or been adjudicated a delinquent child for committing an act that if committed by an adult would be, a criminal offense, whether the offender or delinquent child completed any sentence or dispositional order imposed for the prior offense or act and, if the prior offense or act was a sex offense or a sexually oriented offense, whether the offender or delinquent child participated in available programs for sexual offenders;
{¶ 16} "(g) Any mental illness or mental disability of the offender or delinquent child;
{¶ 17} "(h) The nature of the offender's or delinquent child's sexual conduct, sexual contact, or interaction in a sexual context with the victim of the sexually oriented offense and whether the sexual conduct, sexual contact, or interaction in a sexual context was part of a demonstrated pattern of abuse;
{¶ 18} "(i) Whether the offender or delinquent child, during the commission of the sexually oriented offense for which sentence is to be imposed or the order of disposition is to be made, displayed cruelty or made one or more threats of cruelty;
{¶ 19} "(j) Any additional behavioral characteristics that contribute to the offender's or delinquent child's conduct."
{¶ 20} The trial court had before it two psychological evaluations of appellant filed October 27, 2005. One was performed by a clinical psychologist, Dale Rupple, Ph.D., and the other was performed by a forensic team leader, Luanne LaRue, MSW, LISW. The trial court also had presided over the matter in 1992. In its September 12, 2005 order designating appellant a sexual predator, the trial court quoted sections of Dr. Rupple's findings and opinion wherein Dr. Rupple opined appellant "presents with a high risk of reoffending unless given close monitoring and supervision." The trial court also quoted Ms. LaRue's opinion wherein she stated appellant "presents substantial risk to reoffend if released from prison at this time."
{¶ 21} We have reviewed the reports filed under seal and find they substantiate the trial court's determination.
{¶ 22} In addition, as for the R.C.
{¶ 23} Based upon our review of the record, we find the trial court's conclusion is supported by clear and convincing evidence and is not against the manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶ 24} The sole assignment of error is denied.
{¶ 25} The judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Richland County, Ohio is hereby affirmed.
By Farmer, J. Wise, P.J. and Edwards, J. concur.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.