Leech v. State
Leech v. State
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting:
T1 In Proposition II Leech claims the State engaged in "sentence entrapment" by setting him up with an ounce of methamphetamine, which would automatically warrant a trafficking charge. As the majority notes, sentencing entrapment occurs when the State causes a defendant initially predisposed to commit a lesser crime to commit a more serious offense. Sentencing entrapment is often associated with reverse sting operations where mandatory sentences result from a particular quantity of drugs.
T2 Leech claims the police department's decision to provide him (through the confidential informant, Peterman) with an ounce of methamphetamine, ensuring he would be charged with trafficking, unfairly entrapped him into the more serious charge and longer sentence associated with that crime. A charge for trafficking is dependent solely on the amount of the drug possessed and has significant sentencing implications, including mandatory punishment and loss of Department of Corrections credits while serving the prison sentence.
T3 Although I agree with the majority's adoption of the doctrine of sentencing entrapment, I cannot agree with the majority opinion's analysis of the "entrapment" issue. The majority initially correctly states that sentencing entrapment differs from the traditional defense of entrapment. However, the opinion appears to conflate the two doctrines, viewing sentencing entrapment entirely through the prism of entrapment principles. The opinion suggests that the traditional instruction on entrapment, which does not apply here, should be modified where necessary to reflect factual cireum-stances underlying sentencing entrapment. Finally, the majority completely fails to apply even this sketchy understanding of sentencing entrapment to the facts of this case. After very briefly discussing the doctrine of sentencing entrapment, the majority even more briefly concludes "[tlhere is no evidence of entrapment in the record."
15 Several courts have defined and discussed sentencing entrapment before declining to reject or adopt it, ultimately concluding it was not factually supported in particular cases.
T6 This claim has the most foree when made in connection with reverse sting operations and situations where government agents choose to deal in a specific amount of drugs expressly in order to charge a greater
T7 As the Eighth Cireuit put it in United States v. Stavig, "[We continue to be deeply concerned about the proclivity of reverse-sting operations, such as this one, to raise questions of sentencing entrapment. Sentencing entrapment claims arise in this context largely because 'sentencing discretion is delegated all the way down to the individual drug agent operating in the field'"
T8 In United States v. Staufer, the Ninth Cireuit discussed the concerns raised when government agents convince a defendant to deal in significantly larger quantities of drugs than his previous history would support, and concluded courts must ensure the State "has some reason to believe that defendants are predisposed to engage in a drug deal of the magnitude for which they are prosecuted."
T 9 The Tenth Cireuit is the only jurisdiction which does not define "sentencing entrapment" as State entrapment of a defendant, predisposed to a lesser crime, into committing a greater offense. In 1992, in United States v. Mosley,
T 10 In 1996, the Tenth Circuit considered a sentencing entrapment claim resulting from a reverse sting in United States v. Lacey.
T11 The Tenth Cireuit stands alone in refusing to treat sentencing manipulation and sentencing entrapment as doctrines separate from the defense of outrageous government conduct. - The Court gave no reason for this decision, other than the fact that the Court already had a discussion of outrageous government conduct available in Mosley.
{12 In the majority of jurisdictions considering sentence entrapment, the issue is resolved by the court because most jurisdictions do not have jury sentencing. The United States Supreme Court has held that Oklahoma defendants have a liberty interest in having a jury impose sentence.
" 13 Nothing in the record suggests Leech had previously dealt in large quantities of methamphetamine. Peterman testified he had borrowed $100 to buy ingredients, and said fourteen grams (half an ounce) as payment for that debt was about right.
T14 All the evidence shows Leech was predisposed at most to accept and/or sell the 14 grams of methamphetamine Peterman owed him. In fact, the record shows Leech usually dealt in much smaller quantities than 14 grams, which itself is 6 grams short of the minimum quantity necessary for trafficking. Had the State not set up a "trafficking reverse," Leech would have committed the crime of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
. See, eg., United States v. Kaczmarski, 939 F.Supp. 1176, 1180 (E.D.Penn. 1996), aff'd by U.S. v. Kaczmarski, 114 F.3d 1173 (3rd Cir. 1997), cert. denied, Sliwowski v. U.S., 522 U.S. 901, 118 S.Ct. 251, 139 L.Ed.2d 179 (1997). There is no credible claim that Leech was entrapped in the traditional sense; it is not entrapment where police furnish a defendant an opportunity to commit a crime. See, eg., Cooper v. State, 1991 OK CR 54, 810 P.2d 1303, 1305.
. 63 0.$.2001, §§ 2-415(B)(1), (C)4, (D)(1) (first offender subject to not less than twice the term of imprisonment provided in the non-trafficking drug statutes, and the terms of imprisonment not subject to statutory provisions for suspension, deferral or probation, or state correctional institution earned credits other than achievement credits).
. Op. at 990.
. United States v. Raven, 39 F.3d 428, 438 (3rd Cir. 1994); United States v. Jones, 18 F.3d 1145, 1153 (4th Cir. 1994); United States v. Garcia, 79 F.3d 74, 75 (7th Cir. 1996); United States v. Okey, 47 F.3d 238, 240 (7th Cir. 1995); United States v. Searcy, 233 F.3d 1096, 1099 (8th Cir. 2000); United States v. Staufer, 38 F.3d 1103, 1106 (9th Cir. 1994); United States v. Sancher, 138 F.3d 1410, 1414 (11th Cir. 1998), cert. denied, 525 U.S. 967, 119 S.Ct 414, 142 L.Ed.2d 336 (1998); United States v. Walls, 70 F.3d 1323, 1329 (D.C.Cir. 1995), cert. denied 517 U.S. 1147, 116 S.Ct. 1445, 134 L.Ed.2d 565 (1996); People v. Graves, 93 Cal.App.4th 1171, 113 Cal.Rptr.2d 708, 713 (2001); State v. Yip, 92 Hawai'i 98, 987 P.2d 996, 1010 (Haw.Ct.App. 1999); State v. Phillips, 2000 WL 328074 (Iowa App. 2000) (unpublished opinion); People v. Ealy, 222 Mich.App. 508, 564 N.W.2d 168, 170 (1997) Commonwealth v. Petzold, 701 A.2d 1363, 1365 (Pa.Super. 1997).
. Searcy, 233 F.3d at 1100 (internal quotation omitted).
. Searcy, 233 F.3d at 1101.
. Raven, 39 F.3d at 438; Jones, 18 F.3d at 1154; Okey, 47 F.3d at 240 (the Seventh Circuit subsequently specifically rejected the doctrine of sentencing manipulation, see supra n. 15, but has neither adopted nor rejected sentencing entrapment); Graves, 113 Cal.Rptr.2d at 713; Ealy 564 N.W.2d at 170.
. Yip 987 P.2d at 1010; Petzold, 701 A.2d at 1336-37; Kaczmarski, 939 F.Supp. at 1182. The Third Circuit has neither adopted nor banned sentencing entrapment. See United States v. Scavetti, 1999 WL 80368 (E.D.Pa. 1999) (not for publication).
. Searcy, 233 F.3d at 1099; United States v. Barth, 990 F.2d 422, 425 (8th Cir. 1993); Staufer, 38 F.3d at 1108.
. Sanchez, 138 F.3d at 1414.
. Walls, 70 F.3d at 1329 (the Court also concluded there is no basis for outrageous government conduct to support a downward sentence modification, but this appears to be a separate discussion of the "outrageous government conduct" defense).
. 18 U.S.CAUSSG FSG § 2D1.1, comment (n. 12, 17) (Nov. 1994).
. See, e.g., State v. Yip, 987 P.2d at 1010.
. - Government agents acting with unlimited discretion may, as they did here, create crimes. While not finding sentencing entrapment because the defendant was explicitly willing to act as courier for any amount of heroin, the Third Circuit was extremely troubled where an offense was entirely set up by the Government, with a willing defendant who had no means otherwise to carry out his plan, and where the narcotics transaction never took place. (Raven, 39 F.3d at 439).
. United States v. Stavig, 80 F.3d 1241, 1247 (8th Cir. 1996), quoting United States v. Staufer, 38 F.3d 1103, 1107 (9th Cir. 1994) (internal quotation omitted).
. Id.
. Searcy, 233 F.3d at 1099.
. Staufer, 38 F.3d at 1107.
. Id.
. Staufer, 38 F.3d at 1107-08.
. 965 F.2d 906, 908 (10th Cir. 1992).
. Mosley, 965 F.2d at 911.
. 86 F.3d 956 (10th Cir.), cert. denied, 519 U.S. 944, 117 S.Ct. 331, 136 L.Ed.2d 244 (1996).
. Lacey, 86 F.3d at 963, n. 5.
. Lacey, 86 F.3d at 965.
. Lacey, 86 F.3d at 963.
. In a more recent unpublished opinion on outrageous government conduct, a panel of the Tenth Circuit discusses evidence on a defendant's predisposition to commit a crime, cites Lacey to note that proof of predisposition to the larger crime is not a part of Tenth Circuit analysis ("even were our analysis to turn on such a distinction''), but cites Staufer as well, suggesting that at least one panel may be factually inclined to consider predisposition. This case had no claim of sentencing entrapment or manipulation. United States v. Sims, 153 F.3d 729 (Table), 1998 WL 380970(10th Cir. 1998).
. Hicks v. Oklahoma, 447 U.S. 343, 346, 100 S.Ct. 2227, 2229, 65 L.Ed.2d 175 (1980).
. 22 0.$.2001, § 926.
. 22 0.$.2001, § 927 (trial court may fix punishment where none recommended by jury); 22 0.S.2001, § 970 (granting defendant right of al-locution); 22 0.9.2001, § 982a (trial court may modify a sentence by directing imposition of another penalty at any time within twelve months after the sentence is imposed); 22 0.8. 2001, § 982 (to aid in its sentencing determination, a trial court must require a presentence investigation upon conviction of certain violent felonies); 22 0.$.2001, § 973 (where the trial court hears extra evidence in the case of a plea, or determines punishment, the trial court may schedule a hearing on evidence of aggravation or mitigation of punishment.)
. Peterman testified that an ounce of methamphetamine, sold whole, was worth about $1000; a tenth of a gram was worth $20, and an eight-ball (3 1/2 grams, a common amount) was worth $250 or $300. [Trial Tr. I 130, 149, 157, 160-61] Leech's half ounce was worth as much as $2800.
. 63 0.$.2001, § 2-401(B)(2).
Concurring Opinion
specially concurs.
T1 I wish to specially concur in the fine opinion written by Judge Lile. It is indeed unfortunate that law enforcement would entice someone to commit a crime either unwittingly or even if they know they are committing a crime but yet the crime is greater than one they would have committed otherwise. Because of this opinion, obviously, the Oklahoma Uniform Jury Instruction committee will have to propose one or two additional instructions.
T2 The justice system should look with a jaundiced eye upon reverse sting operations. This effectively is the justice system becoming involved in committing crime and not stopping it.
Opinion of the Court
OPINION
11 Jerald C. Leech, Jr., was convicted at jury trial of Trafficking in a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Methamphetamine) in violation of 63 O.S. Supp.1999, § 2-415 in Case No. CF-2000-304 in the District Court of Garfield County. The Honorable Ronald G. Franklin, District Judge, sentenced Leech to Twenty (20) years imprisonment and a Fine of $100,000 in accordance with the jury verdict. Appellant has perfected his appeal to this Court.
T2 The uncontradicted evidence established that Leech and the State's informant, Peterman, had an ongoing relationship. Leech would supply Peterman with cash to purchase supplies for manufacturing methamphetamine and receive drugs in payment. Leech would also sell methamphetamine for Peterman. On June 14, 2000, Peterman gave Leech approximately an ounce of methamphetamine, half as repayment for the most recent cash advance and half for sale on consignment. An immediate arrest was made and the drugs were recovered from Leech's car, An additional small amount of methamphetamine was recovered from Leech's pocket.
T8 Leech first claims that the evidence was insufficient to support the trafficking conviction because there was no proof that he knowingly possessed twenty or more grams of methamphetamine. The well established standard for analyzing insufficiency of evidence claims is set forth in Spuehler v. State, 1985 OK CR 132, 709 P.2d 202. We review the evidence in the light most favorable to the State and ask whether a rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the erime beyond a reasonable doubt. The State's evidence was that Peter-man and Leech discussed the amount and purpose of the methamphetamine delivered to Leech immediately prior to Leech taking possession. This evidence was accepted by the jury and is sufficient under Spuchler. We will not disturb a jury verdiet without legal justification. Torres v. State, 1998 OK CR 40, ¶38, 962 P.2d 3, 16, cert. denied, 525 U.S. 1082, 119 S.Ct. 826, 142 L.Ed.2d 683 (1999).
%4 Leech further claims that the trial judge should have given a lesser included offense instruction covering possession of methamphetamine. The record is silent as to any objections to the court's instructions and as to any defense requested instructions. Appellant has a duty to provide a sufficient record for review. Hill v. State, 1995 OK CR 28, ¶10, 898 P.2d 155, 160. We must assume that the lack of a lesser included instruction is raised for the first time on appeal. Under these circumstances, we review for plain error only. Simpson v. State, 1994 OK CR 40, ¶23, 876 P.2d 690, 698-99. We find none. An underlying requirement of Shrum v. State, 1999 OK CR 41, ¶10, 991 P.2d 1032, 1036, is that a lesser offense instruction should not be given unless the evidence would support a conviction for the lesser offense. The uncontradicted evidence in this case is that Appellant knowingly possessed a trafficking quantity and not a quantity for personal use. Even if requested at trial, the lesser offense instruction would properly have been refused. Hill v. State, 1988 OK CR 251, ¶11, 764 P.2d 210, 213.
15 The more interesting issue, that was not raised at trial but which is presented on appeal, is also an issue of first impression for this Court. As above, we review for plain error only. Simpson, 876 P.2d at 698-99. Leech claims that he was entrapped into possessing a trafficking quantity of methamphetamine and asserts that he could only be convicted of possession of methamphetamine, a lesser offense.
T6 It is undisputed, in this reverse sting operation, that law enforcement agents determined the quantity of methamphetamine to be offered to Leech.
T7 Sentencing entrapment is said to occur when the State causes a defendant initially predisposed to commit a lesser crime to commit a more serious offense. This differs from traditional entrapment situations where an otherwise innocent person is caused to commit a erime. Traditional en
18 That instruction makes it clear that an entrapped person is one who had "no previous intent or purpose to violate the law;" that was not "willing to commit a crime such as that charged" and that had "no previous intent or purpose to commit any offense of the character here charged."
T9 This language would not apply in the case of asserted sentencing entrapment. The defendant may have intended to "violate the law." The defendant may have intended to commit a crime "such as that charged" if that language means a drug related crime. The defendant may have intended to commit an "offense of the character here charged" if that language means a drug related crime.
{10 In a case where sufficient evidence is presented to raise the issue of sentence entrapment, this language must be modified to make it clear to the jury that the issue is whether or not the defendant, although intending to commit a lesser offense, has been entrapped into committing a greater offense. If the defendant had no previous intent to commit the greater erime or did not become ready and willing to commit a greater crime during the course of the transaction, even though predisposed to commit the lesser crime, then a finding that law enforcement agents committed sentencing entrapment would require that the defendant be found not guilty of the greater crime, and guilty of the lesser offense.
{11 In Robinson v. State, 1973 OK CR 152, ¶ 11, 507 P.2d 1296, 1299, overruled on other grounds in McInturff v. State, 1976 OK CR 226, 554 P.2d 837, this Court said:
"[Olne who is instigated, induced, or lured by officer of law or other person, for purpose of prosecution, into commission of crime which he had otherwise no intention of committing may avail himself of defense of entrapment".
We further said that an officer "acting in good faith with view to detecting crime" may make use of deception, trickery or artifice. Id.
112 Those same principals apply where one claims sentencing entrapment. A defendant who intended to possess small amounts of an illegal drug could be entrapped by officers into possessing a trafficking quantity or even a quantity sufficient to support a charge of intent to distribute. In that event, the defendant would be entitled to an instruction on sentencing entrapment to allow the jury to determine whether the defendant was guilty of the greater or lesser charge.
{13 We then turn to the facts of Leech's case to apply these principals. Leech never claimed entrapment, whether in a traditional sense or in the nature of sentencing entrapment. There is no evidence of entrapment in the record. The trial court did not err in failing to instruct on entrapment in the absence of a request. Further, if requested, the instruction would have properly been refused as not being supported by any evidence.
{14 Leech claims that his sentence of twenty (20) years imprisonment is excessive. - Leech was fifty-eight years old at the time of sentencing and will be denied access to most good time credits. In a reverse sting operation such as this, it is not unusual to encounter informants who are more blameworthy than the defendant. We find, under all the facts of this case, that the sentence should be modified to ten (10) years imprisonment. Rea v. State, 2001 OK CR 28, ¶5, 34 P.3d 148, 149. The case is remanded to the trial court for re-sentencing in accordance with this opinion.
DECISION
{15 The judgment of the trial court is AFFIRMED and the sentence is MODIFIED to ten (10) years imprisonment. The
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Jerald C. LEECH, Jr., Appellant, v. the STATE of Oklahoma, Appellee
- Cited By
- 12 cases
- Status
- Published