v.
Foster
[Cite as State v. Foster, 2021-Ohio-1454.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT UNION COUNTY STATE OF OHIO, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, CASE NO. 14-20-26 v. ANDREW K. FOSTER, OPINION DEFENDANT-APPELLANT. Appeal from Union County Common Pleas Court Trial Court No. 20CR0098 Judgment Affirmed Date of Decision: April 26, 2021 APPEARANCES: Alison Boggs for Appellant Raymond Kelly Hamilton for Appellee Case No. 14-20-26 SHAW, J. {¶1} Defendant-appellant, Andrew K. Foster (“Foster”), appeals the November 25, 2020 judgment of the Union County Court of Common Pleas, journalizing his conviction after pleading guilty to one count of second-degree felony engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, one count of fourth-degree felony grand theft, and one count of fifth-degree felony breaking and entering, and sentencing him to an aggregate indefinite prison term of 10 ½ to 14 ½ years. {¶2} On appeal, Foster argues that trial court erred when it overruled his oral motion to withdraw his guilty plea at sentencing. He also claims that his sentence is contrary to law because the trial court sentenced him to an indefinite prison term on a non-qualifying second-degree felony and because the trial court failed to adequately consider the purposes and principles of felony sentencing under R.C. 2929.11 and R.C. 2929.12 when it imposed the maximum prison terms on each count and when it ordered the prison terms to run consecutively. Foster further asserts that the trial court erred when it ordered him to pay restitution. Relevant Facts and Procedural History {¶3} On June 19, 2020, the Union County Grand Jury returned an eighteen- count indictment against Foster alleging that he committed the offenses of Count 1: engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a felony of the second degree, in violation of R.C. 2923.32(A)(1), (B)(1); Count 2: grand theft, a felony of the fourth degree, Case No. 14-20-26
[*2]in violation of R.C. 2913.02(A)(1), (B)(2); Count 3: attempted breaking and entering, a misdemeanor of the first degree, in violation of R.C. 2923.02 and R.C. 2911.13(A); Counts 4 through 17: breaking and entering, all felonies of the fifth degree, in violation of R.C. 2911.13(A), (C); and Count 18: theft, a felony of the fifth degree in violation of R.C. 2912.03(A)(1), (B)(2). Upon arraignment, Foster entered pleas of not guilty to the charges.
{¶4} The charges arose from a series of fifteen breakings and enterings of convenience and cigarette stores alleged to have been done by a “crew” of individuals, during which the lock cylinders were removed from the doors to allow the crew to gain access to cigarettes and other items that were later traded or sold for crack cocaine and money. These crimes took places in multiple counties, including Union County, and amounted to an aggregate loss in excess of $29,000.00 to the victims. Investigation by law enforcement revealed that Foster, a former locksmith, was the leader and organizer of the crew and the individual who removed the lock cylinders from the doors.
{¶5} On October 22, 2020, Foster withdrew his previously tendered pleas of not guilty and entered guilty pleas to Count 1, second-degree felony engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity; Count 2, fourth-degree felony grand theft; and Count 13, fifth-degree felony breaking and entering. In exchange for Foster’s guilty pleas, the prosecution agreed to dismiss the remaining fifteen counts listed in the indictment.
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The prosecution also agreed not to present a sentencing recommendation to the court. The trial court then accepted Foster’s guilty pleas and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation.
{¶6} On November 3, 2020, the State filed a restitution report, itemizing the economic loss to each victim pertaining to the counts to which Foster pled guilty. This loss included stolen inventory, cash, and damage to the doors and locks. The restitution requested by the victims totaled $25,385.85.
{¶7} On November 24, 2020, Foster appeared for sentencing. The trial court conducted a lengthy discussion on the record regarding the purposes and principles of felony sentencing and the sentencing factors set forth in R.C. 2929.11 and R.C. 2929.12. The trial court then imposed a maximum prison term for the second- degree felony engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity offense of 8 to 12 years; a maximum prison term for the fourth-degree felony grand theft offense of 18 months; and a maximum prison term for the fifth-degree felony breaking and entering offense of 12 months. The trial court ordered the prison terms to run consecutively for an aggregate indefinite prison term of 10 ½ years to 14 ½ years. The trial court also ordered Foster to be jointly and severally liable with his convicted co- defendants for the payment of restitution to the victims in the amount of $25,385.85.
{¶8} Foster filed this appeal, asserting the following assignments of error.
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ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 1
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT SENTENCED APPELLANT TO AN INDEFINITE TERM OF PRISON ON THE ENGAGING IN A PATTERN OF CORRUPT ACTIVITY, AS THAT IS NOT A QUALIFYING FELONY UNDER THE REAGAN TOKES LAW.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 2
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT SENTENCED APPELLANT TO MAXIMUM SENTENCES ON THE FOURTH AND FIFTH DEGREE FELONIES AND FURTHER ERRED WHEN IT RAN THE THREE SENTENCES CONSECUTIVE.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 3
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT OVERRULED APPELLANT’S ORAL MOTION TO WITHDRAW HIS PLEA BEFORE HE WAS SENTENCED.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 4
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN ORDERING RESTITUTION.
{¶9} For ease of discussion, we elect to address the assignments of error out of order.
Third Assignment of Error {¶10} In his third assignment of error, Foster claims that the trial court erred when it overruled his oral motion to withdraw his guilty pleas at sentencing.
Legal Authority
{¶11} Criminal Rule 32.1 governs motions to withdraw a guilty plea and provides that “[a] motion to withdraw a plea of guilty or no contest may be made Case No. 14-20-26
[*5]only before sentence is imposed; but to correct manifest injustice the court after sentence may set aside the judgment of conviction and permit the defendant to withdraw his or her plea.” While a motion to withdraw a guilty plea made prior to sentencing should be freely allowed and liberally granted, there is no absolute right to withdraw a guilty plea. State v. Xie, 62 Ohio St.3d 521, 527. Rather, the record must show there is “a reasonable and legitimate basis for the withdrawal of the plea.” Id. “A trial court must conduct a hearing to determine whether there is a reasonable and legitimate basis for the withdrawal of the plea.” Xie, paragraph one of the syllabus. The decision on whether to grant a motion to withdraw a guilty plea is within the sound discretion of the trial court. Id. at 521. An abuse of discretion connotes that the trial court’s attitude was unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable. Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219 (1983).
{¶12} When determining whether a trial court abused its discretion in denying a pre-sentence motion to withdraw a guilty plea, the reviewing court must consider nine factors: (1) whether the state will be prejudiced by withdrawal; (2) the representation afforded to the defendant by counsel; (3) the extent of the Crim.R. 11 plea hearing; (4) the extent of the hearing on the motion to withdraw; (5) whether the trial court gave full and fair consideration to the motion; (6) whether the timing of the motion was reasonable; (7) the reasons for the motion; (8) whether the defendant understood the nature of the charges and potential sentences; and (9) Case No. 14-20-26
[*6]whether the accused was perhaps not guilty or had a complete defense to the charge. State v. Lane, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-10-10, 2010-Ohio-4819, ¶ 21. “None of the factors is determinative on its own and there may be numerous additional aspects ‘weighed’ in each case.” State v. North, 3d Dist. Logan No. 8-14-18, 2015-Ohio- 720, ¶ 16. Importantly, this Court has long held that a mere change of heart does not form a sufficient basis for granting withdrawal of a guilty plea. See State v. Miller, 3d Dist. Hardin No. 6-18-13, 2019-Ohio-2157, ¶ 17.
The Record Pertaining to the Motion to Withdraw the Pleas
{¶13} The record indicates that at a pretrial hearing defense counsel advocated for Foster to be considered for a Community Based Correctional Facility (“CBCF”) as a form of intervention in lieu of conviction to treat Foster’s ongoing drug addiction. The State indicated at this hearing that Foster was not a good candidate for a CBCF given his extensive criminal history and lack of success with rehabilitation.
{¶14} At the change of plea hearing, after Foster had already entered his guilty pleas, defense counsel again advocated for Foster to be considered for a CBCF:
[Defense Counsel]: Yes, your Honor. Throughout my representation of Mr. Foster, he’s indicated that a large continuing drug addition [sic] is what caused any activity that he was involved in here. We would ask the Court, given the fact that none of the charges that he’s entered pleas—pled guilty to here require any type of mandatory prison time, that he be considered Case No. 14-20-26
[*7]for an assessment at the West Central CBCF to determine whether he is a good candidate for participation in that program.
[Trial Court]: The Court’s checked that box.1 You’re entitled to present that argument if you wish to present it. And anything further to come before the Court then?
[Defense Counsel]: Not today. (Oct. 22, 2020 Plea Hrg. at 42-43).
{¶15} Foster initially appeared at the sentencing hearing telephonically, but requested to appear in person. After the trial court had the opportunity to review the presentence investigation, the following exchange transpired regarding Foster’s request to change his plea:
[Trial Court]: Now, I ask—I began to ask off the record, [defense counsel], the case is set for sentencing this morning. Is Mr. Foster ready to proceed?
[Defense Counsel]: Your Honor, I spoke to Mr. Foster and he’s indicated that he will not waive his right to be personally present. He wants to be here. He also is requesting the status of the assessment from West Central. He wants that completed before he is sentenced.
[Trial Court]: The Court denies the latter assessment to CBCF. The Court’s review of the case indicates that Mr. Foster’s been given multiple opportunities of rehabilitation and has been unsuccessful. And also, that he completed the CBCF once before in Franklin County. There was no way that we could get the assessment in this case completed after we received the PSI due to Mr. Foster’s hospitalization. And there’s—there’s no possibility after reviewing the PSI and the extensive prior record of Mr. Foster that I would ever sentence him to the CBCF.
1 This box appeared on the written change of plea agreement and indicated that Foster was eligible for community control sanctions pending the completion and review of a presentence investigation.
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[Defense Counsel]: Your Honor, may I respond? [Trial Court]: Sure. [Defense Counsel]: The Court ordered in the plea agreement that he be assessed. As you indicated, he has not been assessed. I understand the problems with that. We do have a proposal for the Court. And that is Mr. Foster has a nephew that lives in Shawnee Hills. His name is Nick Hanscel. We would propose to the Court that Mr. Foster be released on his own recognizance to live with Mr. Hanscel. It is my understanding that he’s been discharged from the Springfield Hospital, but they have him on oxygen for one thing. Secondly, there are multiple medical appointments he needs to attend. If he were living with his nephew, his nephew could ensure that he gets to those medical appointments. [Trial Court]: I’m—I would not allow Mr. Foster to be released from jail under any circumstances. He’s made statements, specifically, while he was in jail on July 29th that no one’s getting him locked up again [“]on some bullshit in the penitentiary. I’ll make the cops shoot me before they get me on that bus. I don’t give a fuck, bro, I’m going to go ham. They don’t know who they are fucking with. I don’t give a fuck, bro. You got to take my life before you put me back on the fucking bus and put me in the penitentiary again.[”]2 In addition to that, we’ve had contact on the part of Mr. Foster with Tracy Chambers during the time that he was hospitalized and, specifically, violating the Court’s rules of no contact rules, so—3 [Foster]: Excuse me. Excuse me. I never got a copy of anything for no contact until after that happened. (Inaudible) to my knowledge. (Inaudible).
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[Trial Court]: At the original hearing, the arraignment hearing, Mr. Foster, that was held on June 24th of 2020, the Court, as part of the conditions of your bond, issued a no contact order with victim, complaining witnesses, Gabriel Olden and Tracy Chambers. The fact—
[Foster]: They never got (inaudible).
[Trial Court]: You would have gotten a copy of that paperwork back in 2000 and—early 2020. And even in the event that you did not get it, the Court pronounced that on the record. So we’ll adjourn the hearing—
[Foster]: Yeah. I just—
[Trial Court]: We’ll adjourn the hearing, Mr.—
[Foster]: No. I just—I want to change my plea. I’ll take my case to trial.
[Trial Court]: Excuse me?
[Foster]: I said I change my plea. I’ll take my case to trial.
[Trial Court]: You’re before the Court for sentencing this morning, Mr. Foster, and that’s what we’re going to accomplish. In the event that you would—
[Foster]: Huh?
[Trial Court]: In the event that you wish to be transported, I will have you transported by the Deputies and we’ll convene later on—again this morning and complete sentencing.
[Foster]: Yeah. I want to change my plea.
[Trial Court]: You don’t have the right to change your plea, sir.
[Foster]: Well, (inaudible) I thought I was being assessed— assessed for a program that was part of my plea agreement.
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[Trial Court]: I’ll have the people from the CBCF here when you get here and they will assess you and give you a verbal report on the assessment so that you can be satisfied that you were assessed as you requested. [Foster]: I still want to change my plea. [Trial Court]: That—that motion is denied. [Foster]: Okay. Whatever. (Nov. 24, 2020, Sent. Hrg. at 4-7). {¶16} The record demonstrates that the trial court adjourned sentencing and then reconvened the hearing with Foster in person, after he underwent an assessment for a CBCF. The trial court stated on the record that the CBCF declined Foster’s admission to the facility. The trial court asked if there were any further matters to be addressed prior to sentencing. Foster’s counsel indicated that they were ready to proceed. The court then proceeded with sentencing and asked Foster if there was anything further he would like the court to consider. The record indicates that Foster provided an explanation about his prior phone call from jail that the trial court referenced earlier in the hearing. After Foster finished his explanation the trial court again asked, “Anything else, sir?” to which Foster replied “No. That’s it, your Honor.” (Nov. 24, 2020, Sent. Hrg. at 14). - 11 - Case No. 14-20-26 Discussion {¶17} On appeal, Foster claims it was error for the trial court to not postpone the sentencing proceeding and hold a separate hearing on his motion to withdraw his guilty pleas. However, we note that “[a] court is not required to postpone sentencing and hold a separate and distinct hearing on an oral motion to withdraw a plea.” State v. Perez, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 12 MA 110, 2013-Ohio-3587, ¶ 15. Moreover, we find the record demonstrates that the timing of Foster’s motion was unreasonable. See State v. Shelton, 3d Dist. Seneca No. 13-11-07, 2011-Ohio-4893, ¶ 12 (finding the timing of a motion to withdraw a plea presented on the day of sentencing as being unreasonable). The record reflects that Foster raised his motion at the sentencing hearing only when it became evident that the trial court intended to impose a prison term, rather than sending Foster to a CBCF. {¶18} Nevertheless, it is apparent from the record that the trial court gave full and fair consideration to Foster’s stated basis for the motion to withdraw, which was based upon his request for a CBCF assessment. As previously noted, the trial court postponed sentencing to allow the CBCF assessment to take place and sufficiently addressed this issue with Foster on the record. Since Foster has failed to establish any valid reasons for the withdrawal, it can be presumed that the motion was made because Foster changed his mind at the last minute when it became clear that the judge would likely impose a lengthy prison term. See e.g., State v. Miller, - 12 - Case No. 14-20-26 3d Dist. Hardin No. 6-18-13, 2019-Ohio-2157, ¶ 16; State v. Battersby, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2007-L-023, 2008-Ohio-836, ¶ 59 (“[a] defendant is not entitled to withdraw his * * * plea merely because he has changed his mind or because he has learned that he will receive a harsher sentence than he had subjectively expected”); State v. Kramer, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 01 CA 107, 2002-Ohio-4176, ¶ 50 (a mere change of mind about entering the plea does not justify a withdrawal). {¶19} For all these reasons, we conclude that the trial court acted within its discretion in denying Foster’s oral pre-sentence motion to withdraw his pleas at sentencing, and it did not err in declining to conduct a separate hearing on Foster’s motion. Accordingly, the third assignment of error is overruled. First Assignment of Error {¶20} In his first assignment of error, Foster claims that the trial court’s sentence is contrary to law. Specifically, Foster argues that the trial court was not authorized to impose an indefinite prison term for his second-degree felony engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity conviction because it is not a qualifying felony under the Regan Tokes Law.[4] On appeal, Foster cites R.C. 2901.011 as the sole basis for this contention.