State v. Smith, Unpublished Decision (7-14-2006)
State v. Smith, Unpublished Decision (7-14-2006)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} Between September 1, 2004 and January 1, 2005, Smith, 32, was residing with her twelve year old daughter in Fairborn, Greene County, Ohio. Her daughter was dating a thirteen year old boy who spent a great deal of time at Smith's home. In the early fall of 2004, another thirteen year old male was alone at the Smith's residence with Smith. On that occasion, Smith performed oral sex on that boy. Approximately one month later, Smith again performed oral sex on the same thirteen year old at her residence, which was witnessed by another juvenile. Also, in the fall of 2004, the daughter's boyfriend went to Smith's house to wait for her daughter, who was at basketball practice. Smith sat on top of the boyfriend and stated she wanted to have sexual relations with him. She touched him and then performed oral sex on him. Smith repeated this action one additional time, when he (the boyfriend) went to the home looking for Smith's daughter. Lastly, in December of 2004, Smith performed oral sex on a fifteen year old juvenile male who was at her home.
{¶ 3} On May 26, 2005, Smith appeared and pled guilty to all five counts of unlawful sexual conduct. On July 14, 2005, Smith appeared for a sexual offender classification hearing and for sentencing. The court determined that she was a sexual predator and sentenced her to five years incarceration on each count to be served concurrently.
{¶ 5} In the first assignment of error, Defendant argues that since the trial court, rather than a jury, made the finding that Defendant presented the "greatest likelihood" of recidivism, thereby allowing for the issuance of the maximum sentence, she was denied due process and the right of a trial by the jury of her peers per Blakely v. Washington (2004), ___ U.S. ___
{¶ 6} In accordance with this Court's decision in State v.Miller, Montgomery App. No. 21054,
{¶ 7} The trial court's judgment is reversed and remanded for a new sentencing hearing in accordance with Foster.
{¶ 9} In the second assignment of error the Defendant argues that the trial court misapplied the statutory factors in finding that she is likely to recidivate by "clear and convincing evidence." The state argues that the trial court based its decision to classify the Defendant as a sexual predator upon sufficient and probative evidence. We agree.
{¶ 10} In order to classify a Defendant as a sexual predator, the court must find by clear and convincing evidence that Defendant has been convicted of or pled guilty to a sexually oriented offense and that "he is likely to engage in the future in one or more sexually oriented offenses." R.C.
{¶ 11} Defendant's convictions of five counts of Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor in violation of R.C.
{¶ 12} In determining the likelihood of recidivism, the trial court is mandated by R.C.
{¶ 13} The statutory guidelines are:
{¶ 14} "(a) The offender's age;
{¶ 15} "(b) The offender's prior criminal record regarding all offenses, including, but not limited to, all sexual offenses;
{¶ 16} "(c) The age of the victim of the sexually oriented offense for which sentence is to be imposed;
{¶ 17} "(d) Whether the sexually oriented offense for which sentence is to be imposed involved multiple victims;
{¶ 18} "(e) Whether the offender used drugs or alcohol to impair the victim of the sexually oriented offense or to prevent the victim from resisting;
{¶ 19} "(f) If the offender previously has been convicted of or plead guilty to any criminal offense, whether the offender completed any sentence imposed for the prior offense and, if the prior offense was a sex offense or a sexually oriented offense, whether the offender participated in available programs for sexual offenders;
{¶ 20} "(g) Any mental illness or mental disability of the offender;
{¶ 21} "(h) The nature of the offender'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;
{¶ 22} "(i) Whether the offender, during the commission of the sexually oriented offense for which sentence is to be imposed, displayed cruelty or made one or more threats of cruelty;
{¶ 23} "(j) Any additional behavioral characteristics that contribute to the offender's conduct." R.C.
{¶ 24} The trial court conducted a sexual offender classification hearing as part of the sentencing proceeding in this case. At that hearing, it considered the testimony of Linette Shaver, a Senior Probation Officer with the Greene County Adult Probation Department. Ms. Shaver testified that she manages all the sex offender cases along with all cases that involve any type of sexual abuse in Greene County. Ms. Shaver was assigned by the court to review the standards under R.C.
{¶ 25} In reviewing the risk factors set out in R.C.
{¶ 26} On cross-examination, Ms. Shaver indicated she spoke with the defendant's mother and father who informed her that the defendant does not take her medication for her mental disorder and that may affect her behavior.
{¶ 27} In concluding that the State had proven that the defendant is a sexual predator by the requisite burden of proof, the trial court noted the victims were young and multiple. The court noted that the defendant provided alcohol to the victims to induce their cooperation. The court also noted that the defendant has been diagnosed as bipolar and had a prior juvenile and adult criminal record. The trial court found it was most significant that the defendant denied any involvement and showed no remorse for her conduct. The court noted that had the victims' parents not complained, the defendant's patterns of abusing these children would have continued. The court also noted that Detective Jahns of the Fairborn Police Department stated in his report that he received a copy of a voice mail message the defendant left her daughter during the investigation indicating she was excited about getting together with the fifteen year old again. Lastly, the trial court found particularly disturbing the information provided in the pre-sentence report that the defendant offered to pay $600 to the victims if they provided notarized statements that she had not engaged in sexual conduct with the victims. (See page 4 of the pre-sentence report.)
{¶ 28} Rigid rules have no place in the determination of whether a sex offender is a sexual predator, as courts should apply the enumerated factors and consider the relevance, application, and persuasiveness of individual circumstances on a case by case basis. State v. McKinnis,
{¶ 29} "In examining the circumstances surrounding the underlying offense, this court, in relying upon authority from the Tenth District Court of Appeals, has previously determined:
{¶ 30} "The age of the victim is probative because it serves as a telling indicator of the depths of offender's inability to refrain from such illegal conduct. The sexual molestation of young children, aside from its categorization as criminal conduct in every civilized society with a cognizable criminal code, is widely viewed as one of the most, if not the most, reprehensible crimes in our society. Any offender disregarding this universal legal and moral reprobation demonstrates such a lack of restraint that the risk of recidivism must be viewed as considerable.'State v. Collins (June 29, 1999), 3d Dist. No. 14-99-05, 1999 WL 455335, quoting State v. Daniels (Feb. 24, 1998), 10th Dist. No. 97APA06-830, 1998 WL 85882.
{¶ 31} "Both the legislature and a multitude of courts have acknowledged `the overwhelming statistical evidence supporting the high potential of recidivism among sex offenders whose crimes involve the exploitation of young children.' Daniels, supra, citing, e.g., Kansas v. Hendricks (1997),
{¶ 32} The Defendant's second assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 33} The judgment of the trial court is Reversed and Remanded in part and Affirmed in part.
Fain, J., and Donovan, J., concur.
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