State v. Jenkins, 2006-L-266 (9-14-2007)
State v. Jenkins, 2006-L-266 (9-14-2007)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} Substantive Facts and Procedural History
{¶ 3} On September 11, 2003, Mr. Jenkins was indicted on eighteen counts of rape in violation of R.C.
{¶ 4} On October 20, 2003, Mr. Jenkins changed his plea to guilty on counts 1, 7 and 11 without the force specification. The trial court entered a nolle prosequi on the remaining counts in the indictment. During the change of plea hearing, the state indicated that count 1 of the indictment was representative of vaginal intercourse between Mr. Jenkins and the victim, count 7 was representative of cunnilingus Mr. Jenkins performed on the victim and count 11 was representative of fellatio that Mr. Jenkins forced the victim to perform upon himself. Mr. Jenkins indicated during the hearing that the charges were true.
{¶ 5} During the hearing on October 20, 2003, the trial court also conducted a sexual predator hearing and found by clear and convincing evidence that Mr. Jenkins was a sexual predator. Importantly, Mr. Jenkins stipulated to this finding. Mr. Jenkins was sentenced to ten years in prison for each count of rape to which he pled guilty, each term to be served consecutively.
{¶ 6} Mr. Jenkins filed a motion for post-conviction relief under R.C.
{¶ 7} On October 23, 2006, Mr. Jenkins filed a motion nunc pro tunc/petition to correct the record and dismiss the indictment. The arguments raised by Mr. Jenkins in that motion are essentially the same arguments he raises on this appeal. The state filed its response to this motion on November 21, 2006. On November 21, 2006, the trial court denied Mr. Jenkins' motion. Mr. Jenkins then filed a motion to strike the state's response to his motion nunc pro tunc, which was denied by the trial court on December 12, 2006.
{¶ 8} This appeal followed, in which Mr. Jenkins, proceeding pro se, raises the following three assignments of error:
{¶ 9} "[1.] Trial court errored [sic] to the perjudice [sic] of the appellant [sic] fail [sic] to reach, adjudicate the merits of appellant [sic] subject matter jurisdiction claim in violation of appellant united [sic] states [sic] constitution [sic] amendments, [sic] 5, 6, and 14.
{¶ 10} "[2.] Trial court errored [sic] to the perjudice [sic] of the appellant [sic] fail [sic] to reach, adjudicate the merits of appellant [sic] subject matter jurisdiction claim pursuant to R.C.
{¶ 11} "[3.] Trial court errored [sic] to the perjudice [sic] of the appellant [sic] fail to reach, adjudicate the merits of appellant claim double jeopardy clause united [sic] states [sic] constitution [sic] amendments, [sic] 5, 6, and 14."
{¶ 12} Defective Indictment *Page 4
{¶ 13} In his first assignment of error, Mr. Jenkins contends that the September 11, 2003 criminal indictment was defective, thereby divesting the trial court of subject matter jurisdiction. Specifically, Mr. Jenkins alleges that the indictment failed to allege the essential elements of the crime of rape, namely "force" or "threat of force." Mr. Jenkins' first assignment of error is without merit.
{¶ 14} Initially, we note that Mr. Jenkins did not object to the wording of the indictment either prior to the commencement of trial or prior to his plea of guilty as required by R.C.
{¶ 15} Because Mr. Jenkins has waived his right to challenge the alleged defect in the indictment, our review of his first assignment of error must proceed under the plain error analysis of Crim.R. 52(B).State v. Biros (1997),
{¶ 16} "On or between the 1st day of June, 2003 and the 25th day of July, 2003, in the City of Mentor, Lake County, State of Ohio, oneTHOMAS C. JENKINS did engage in sexual conduct with another, to wit: a female minor victim, not the spouse of the said THOMAS C. JENKINS, and the said female minor victim was less than thirteen (13) years of age, whether or not the said THOMAS C. JENKINS knew the age of the said female minor victim.
{¶ 17} "The said THOMAS C. JENKINS did purposely compel the female minor victim to submit by force or threat of force.
{¶ 18} "This act, to-wit: Rape, constitutes a Felony of the First degree, contrary to and in violation of Ohio Revised Code, Title 29, §
{¶ 19} Mr. Jenkins contends that because the terms "force" or "threat of force" were not included in the indictment but rather were added on as a specification, the indictment is defective. Mr. Jenkins' argument is without merit.
{¶ 20} Mr. Jenkins was charged with multiple violations of R.C.
{¶ 21} "(A)(1) No person shall engage in sexual conduct with another who is not the spouse of the offender or who is the spouse of the offender but is living separate and apart from the offender, when any of the following applies:
{¶ 22} "* * * *Page 6
{¶ 23} "(b) The other person is less than thirteen years of age, whether or not the offender knows the age of the other person.
{¶ 24} "* * *
{¶ 25} "(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of rape, a felony of the first degree. * * *"
{¶ 26} The plain language of R.C.
{¶ 27} Finding no plain error in the indictment, Mr. Jenkins' first assignment of error is without merit.
{¶ 28} Sexual Predator Determination Hearing
{¶ 29} In his second assignment of error, Mr. Jenkins challenges his classification as a sexual predator arguing that the indictment did not contain a sexual predator specification and that a prior conviction is required before one can be designated a sexual predator. Mr. Jenkins' second assignment of error is without merit.
{¶ 30} Under R.C.
{¶ 31} There are two ways in which an individual may be classified as a sexual predator. First, if a person is convicted of or has pleaded guilty to a sexually violent offense and also is convicted of or has pleaded guilty to a sexually violent predator specification contained in the indictment, then the individual is automatically classified as a sexual predator. R.C.
{¶ 32} In determining whether a sex offender is a sexual predator, the trial court must consider all relevant factors to determine whether the individual is likely to engage in future sex offenses. R.C.
{¶ 33} We review the trial court's determination in Mr. Jenkins' sex offender classification hearing under a civil manifest weight of the evidence standard. State v. Wilson (2007),
{¶ 34} Initially, we note that Mr. Jenkins appears to be confused about the difference between classifying an individual as a sexual predator and classifying him or her as a sexually violent predator. In the latter, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant has been convicted of a sexually violent offense and is likely to commit the sexually violent offense in the future. State v.Williams (2000),
{¶ 35} The trial court's judgment entry filed October 31, 2003, indicates that Mr. Jenkins stipulated to the sexual predator classification. Ohio courts have consistently held that an offender's stipulation to a sexual predator classification results in a waiver of the hearing requirement. Furthermore, such a stipulation waives an offender's right to challenge the trial court's imposition of the designation. See State v. Shie, 8th Dist. No. 86464,
{¶ 36} Even if Mr. Jenkins had not waived his ability to challenge the sexual predator designation, this court's review of the trial court record demonstrates that there was competent, credible evidence that Mr. Jenkins is likely to commit one or more sexually oriented offenses in the future. The trial court reviewed the following records prior to designating Mr. Jenkins a sexual predator: Mentor Police Department report, Mr. Jenkins' statement, the victim's statement, record of sexually transmitted disease testing of Mr. Jenkins, Cuyahoga County Department of Human Services records regarding the victim, report of Cuyahoga County Department of Human Services investigator, Cleveland Police Department incident report and internet information regarding herpes provided by Mr. Jenkins.
{¶ 37} The trial court found the following factors were established by clear and convincing evidence pursuant to R.C.
{¶ 38} "a) The defendant is fifty-two (52) years of age;
{¶ 39} "b) The victim of the sexually oriented offense for which sentence was imposed was eleven (11) years of age at the time of the crime;
{¶ 40} "c) The nature of the offender's sexual conduct, sexual contact, or interaction in a sexual contest included fellatio, cunnilingus, digital penetration, and display of erotic materials. The defendant's sexual actions were part of a demonstrated pattern of abuse as they occurred consistently over a six week period;
{¶ 41} "d) The nature of the defendant's actions during the commission of the sexually oriented offense displayed cruelty or threats of cruelty; insofar as defendant caused to [sic] victim to contract genital herpes, and told her not to tell anyone about the sexual acts which he was perpetrating;
{¶ 42} "e) Additional behavioral characteristics that contributed to the defendant's conduct include prior predatory conduct by defendant as based upon reliable hearsay, including reports by defendant's niece that she was raped by defendant as a four year old child, as was her older sister, who committed suicide during her early twenties as a result of the sexual abuse."
{¶ 43} The above demonstrates there was some competent credible evidence supporting the trial court's findings that Mr. Jenkins was likely to commit one or more sexually oriented offenses in the future. Therefore, Mr. Jenkins' second assignment of error is without merit.
{¶ 44} Double Jeopardy *Page 11
{¶ 45} In his third and final assignment of error, Mr. Jenkins argues that he was punished three times for the same offense, in violation of the Double Jeopardy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
{¶ 46} This court has previously held that "[b]oth the interpretation of a statute and a determination by a trial court that the Double Jeopardy Clause prohibits prosecution, in a given case, are matters of law." State v. Fleming (Apr. 25, 1997), 11th Dist. No. 96-P-0210, 1997 Ohio App. LEXIS 1701 at 9. "In general, an appellate court will defer to a trial court's factual findings, but must independently determine, as a matter of law, whether the trial court erred in applying the substantive law to the facts of the case." Id. citing State v. Williams (1994),
{¶ 47} Mr. Jenkins argues that he was punished three times for the same offense thereby resulting in a violation of the Double Jeopardy Clause. The Double Jeopardy Clauses of the Ohio and United States Constitutions protect an individual from (1) multiple prosecutions for the same offense and (2) multiple punishments for the same offense.Shearman v. Van Camp (1992),
{¶ 48} For the reasons stated in the opinion of this court, Mr. Jenkins' assignments of error are without merit.
{¶ 49} The judgment of the Lake County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
CYNTHIA WESTCOTT RICE, P.J., TIMOTHY P. CANNON, J., concur.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- State of Ohio v. Thomas C. Jenkins
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published