Adam Blomdahl v. State of Iowa

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA

No. 18-0484
Filed June 5, 2019

ADAM BLOMDAHL,
Applicant-Appellant,

vs.

STATE OF IOWA,
Respondent-Appellee.
________________________________________________________________

Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Pottawattamie County, Jeffrey L.

Larson, Judge.

Adam Blomdahl appeals from the denial of his application for

postconviction relief. AFFIRMED.

Marti D. Nerenstone, Council Bluffs, for appellant.

Thomas J. Miller, Attorney General, and Timothy M. Hau, Assistant

Attorney General, for appellee State.

Considered by Potterfield, P.J., and Tabor and Bower, JJ.
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POTTERFIELD, Presiding Judge.

Adam Blomdahl appeals from the denial of his application for

postconviction relief (PCR). On our de novo review, we conclude Blomdahl’s

claims of ineffective assistance of counsel fail and, therefore, affirm.

I. Background Facts and Proceedings.

We previously summarized the facts leading to Blomdahl’s conviction for

prostitution. State v. Blomdahl, No. 13-0521, 2014 WL 1234214, at *1 (Iowa Ct.

App. Mar. 26, 2014). While Blomdahl’s defense at trial was that he was simply

looking for companionship and made no offer of money in exchange for sex, the

evidence supported the following findings:

In October 2012, Blomdahl responded to an escort ad
placed on a website by the Council Bluffs Police Department as
part of a sting operation. He called the number listed and spoke to
a law enforcement officer who was acting as an escort named
“Stacy.” During the phone conversation, Blomdahl set up a half-
hour appointment for the listed price of $150 and specified the sex
acts he wanted to perform during the appointment. The next day,
he met “Stacy” at a hotel room and again stated the sex acts he
wanted to engage in. Blomdahl patted his pocket to indicate he
had money and showed some of it.

Id. His conviction was upheld on appeal. Id. at *2.

Blomdahl then filed a PCR application, asserting trial counsel was

ineffective in: (1) orally waiving Blomdahl’s ninety-day speedy-trial right and

exceeded his authority in doing so; (2) failing to conduct reasonable and

necessary pretrial investigation; (3) failing to seek exclusion of trial exhibit 4

“(backpage.com escort listings from January 4–February 1, 2013) and related

testimony and closing arguments about the exhibit for one or more of the

following reasons: hearsay; improper foundation; irrelevant and immaterial to the
3

incident on October 10, 2012; unduly prejudicial; or improper propensity

evidence”; (4) failing to seek exclusion of trial exhibit 10 (folder with

backpage.com printouts from September–October 2012 and mapping) as it was

seized during an improper search of his vehicle; (5) failing to seek exclusion of

data seized from his cellphone because the search warrant was “based solely on

an officer’s unsigned affidavit and . . . referenced an incident on December 10,

2012”; (6) failing to object to trial exhibit 13 on grounds of hearsay, improper

foundation, improper propensity evidence, and derivative evidence from an

illegally issued search warrant for his cellphone; (7) failing to object on grounds

the opinions lacked proper foundation to opinion testimony by Detective Greg

Chase during direct examination by the State and in closing arguments

concerning his expert opinions about what “incall” means in prostitution, the

going rates for prostitutes, what websites “johns” use looking for prostitutes,

differences between dating and escort websites, and that the undercover agent

developed probable cause for a prostitution crime; (8) “failing to object to

testimonial evidence at trial from Detective Greg Chase during re-direct

examination by the State and in closing arguments concerning ‘coded talk’ used

by prostitutes as beyond the scope of cross-examination and for lack of

foundation for expert opinion”; (9) failing to object on grounds of lack of

foundation to testimony by Special Agent Ashley Jones (“Stacy”) concerning

opinions as to what “incall” and “outcall” mean in prostitution; (10) “failing to

object to testimonial evidence at trial from Detective Brian Hamilton and in

closing arguments concerning his expert opinions about ‘code talk’ or ‘code

language’ used in prostitution”; (11) failing to object to testimony of Detective
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Brian Hamilton during direct examination and noted in closing arguments that

Blomdahl “did not wish to speak with you during his interview” as a comment on

the exercise of his right to remain silent; (12) stating in opening Blomdahl would

testify and then not presenting his testimony; (13) failing to properly advise him

concerning the no-inference-of-guilt jury instruction and ensuring there was a

record on Blomdahl’s decision; (14) failing to object to the prosecutor’s statement

in closing that the defendant’s presumption of innocence is gone; and (15) failing

to file and pursue an entrapment defense. He also asserted trial counsel’s

failings resulted in cumulative and structural error and appellate counsel was

ineffective in not raising the issues.

The PCR court entered a ruling in which the court summarized Blomdahl’s

claims,1 addressed the issues, and denied relief. With respect to Blomdahl’s

claim that counsel was ineffective in waiving his speedy-trial rights, the PCR

court noted Blomdahl appeared in person and with his attorney on January 15,

2013, and waived the right to speedy trial. Further, even if defense counsel

waived his right, Iowa law recognizes defense counsel has the authority to waive

the right for the client.

The court found the seizure of Blomdahl’s car was invalid, counsel should

have filed a motion to suppress, and the evidence obtained searching the vehicle

1
The court stated the issues as:
improper waiver of Blomdahl’s speedy trial rights; failure to properly
investigate; failure to seek suppression or exclusion of evidence from an
illegal warrantless car search; failure to seek suppression or exclusion of
evidence from an illegal cell phone search; failure to pursue an
entrapment defense; failure to seek exclusion of evidence concerning
irrelevant, immaterial and/or prejudicial propensity evidence; failure to
obtain Blomdahl’s consent for an no-inference-of-guilt instruction; and
appellate counsel ineffectiveness.
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should not have been presented at trial. However, the PCR court ruled Blomdahl

failed to prove the result of the trial would have been different had the

advertisements seized from Blomdahl’s car not been entered into evidence

because the State’s case consisted of “primarily the undercover agent Blomdahl

contacted with a request to purchase sex” and other law enforcement witnesses.

The PCR court determined there was no basis to challenge the search of

Blomdahl’s cell phone as it was conducted pursuant to a warrant and the alleged

flaws in the application for a warrant constituted typographical errors, which

would not affect its validity. Thus, counsel had no duty to object to the search of

the cellphone.

The court also found counsel had no duty to raise an entrapment defense,

stating, “While law enforcement clearly created an opportunity for Blomdahl to

commit the crime, it was not entrapment. . . . [T]he following facts do not

adequately demonstrate excessive incitement, urging, persuasion, or temptation

by law enforcement agents as needed to prove entrapment or [require counsel

to] object to the prosecutor’s closing argument.”

The PCR court addressed complaints about irrelevant or prejudicial

evidence under subcategories. With respect to Blomdahl’s allegations of

improper self-incrimination and the presumption of innocence, the court rejected

Blomdahl’s complaints regarding the question, “Mr. Blomdahl did not wish to

speak with you during his interview, is that correct?” The PCR court found

“Detective Hamilton’s statement was offered in response to a question

concerning his role in the prostitution sting” and “Detective Hamilton testified that

he was tasked with interviewing subjects after their arrest; but that he did not talk
6

with Blomdahl because he did not agree to speak with him.” The court found the

testimony “was not an impermissible comment on Blomdahl’s Fifth Amendment

right” and thus counsel was not ineffective in not objecting.

The court also found counsel was not ineffective in failing to object to the

prosecutor stating during closing argument, “The trial is now in its final stages,

and I submit to you that the presumption of innocence that Mr. Blomdahl had

when we started today is gone . . . .” The PCR court noted a prosecutor may

comment on inference and conclusions drawn from the evidence, the trial court

instructed the jury counsel’s arguments were not evidence, and instructed the

jury the “defendant is presumed innocent unless the evidence establishes guilt

beyond a reasonable doubt.”

The court found trial counsel had a reasonable strategy for not objecting to

officers’ testimony as to “‘coded talk’ used by prostitutes and johns” since it

allowed the defense to argue such coded language was complex and might not

be understood by others. The court rejected his foundational complaints, finding

the officers are permitted to provide expert testimony.

Concerning the backpage.com escort advertisements found in Blomdahl’s

car, the court found that the evidence was not inadmissible propensity evidence

as it would be admissible to show Blomdahl’s plan and preparation and thus

counsel was not ineffective in failing to object on that basis.

The court then addressed the “no-inference-of-guilt” jury instruction. The

PCR court acknowledged because there was no record indicating Blomdahl

specifically requested the instruction, defense counsel should have objected to it.
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But, the PCR court was “confident the jury would have returned the same verdict”

had the instruction not been given.

Finally, the PCR court rejected Blomdahl’s claims of cumulative error,

finding there was no individualized error, and ineffective assistance of appellate

counsel.

Blomdahl appeals.

II. Scope and Standard of Review.

We review claims of ineffective assistance of counsel de novo. State v.

Albright, 925 N.W.2d 144, 151 (Iowa 2019). “To prevail on a claim of ineffective

assistance, the claimant must show both that counsel failed to perform an

essential duty and that prejudice resulted.” Id. (emphasis added) (citations

omitted).

There is a strong presumption that counsel’s performance meets
professional standards. To rebut this presumption defendant must
present an affirmative factual basis establishing inadequate
representation. . . .
Moreover, the resultant prejudice must give rise to a
reasonable probability the outcome of the proceeding would have
been different had counsel not erred. We need not consider
whether counsel did in fact abrogate a duty if no prejudice is
evident.

State v. Oetken, 613 N.W.2d 679, 683–84 (Iowa 2000) (citations omitted).

III. Discussion.

Blomdahl asserts (1) trial counsel failed in an essential duty in not filing a

motion to suppress the search of his vehicle, (2) Blomdahl did not waive his

speedy trial rights, (3) the prosecution committed “multiple acts of egregious

prosecutorial conduct,” (4) the trial court erred in giving the no-inference-of-guilt

jury instruction, (5) the PCR court erred in failing to make specific findings of fact
8

and conclusions of law, and (6) defense counsel’s performance constituted

structural error or, in the alternative, ineffective assistance of counsel.

Blomdahl asserts trial counsel had a duty to object to the warrantless

search of his car. The PCR court acknowledged as much. Yet, the PCR court

found, even though the advertisements found in Blomdahl’s car should have

been the subject of a motion to suppress, Blomdahl had failed to show he was

prejudiced by their admission. Trial counsel testified he did not object because

Blomdahl was not denying he had visited the website but was looking for

companionship. Yet, the undercover officer testified Blomdahl called her shortly

after the online advertisement was posted, Blomdahl inquired into specific sex

acts involved in half-hour and one-hour time frames, informed her what type of

sex acts he was interested in, and arranged a time to meet. The next day,

Blomdahl sent a text message to the agent prior to their arranged meeting stating

he was excited to see her and had built-up sexual aggression he wanted to let

out. The agent then testified Blomdahl arrived at the hotel, stated he was

interested in specific sex acts, and showed money to her. Upon his arrest, he

had no wallet or identification on his person but did have $150 in cash, which

was the price listed in the advertisement and the price quoted by the agent for a

one-half hour session. There is strong evidence of guilt without the

advertisements found in the car, and Blomdahl has failed to prove prejudice.

See State v. Coleman, 907 N.W.2d 124, 143 (Iowa 2018) (noting the evidence

presented against the defendant was strong and error was not so pervasive as to

deny him a fair trial); see also State v. McCoy, 692 N.W.2d 6, 25 (Iowa 2005)
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(considering whether there is a reasonable probability the result of the trial would

have been different if counsel had filed the meritorious motion to suppress).

Blomdahl states he asserted his right to a speedy trial. Nonetheless,

“[d]efense counsel acting within the scope of his or her authority may waive this

right on the defendant’s behalf without the defendant’s express consent.” State

v. LeFlore, 308.N.W.2d 39, 41 (Iowa 1981). “[S]peedy trial rights [can] be waived

by continuance motions made by the defense, not merely those made by

defendant.” State v. O’Connell, 275 N.W.2d 197, 200 (Iowa 1979). The record

shows counsel waived Blomdahl’s speedy-trial rights.

We disagree with Blomdahl’s characterization of the prosecutor’s single

statement in closing argument as improperly shifting the burden of proof. We are

not persuaded counsel was ineffective in failing to object to the prosecution’s

statement. See Coleman, 907 N.W.2d at 143 (finding statements in closing were

not so pervasive “as to represent a persistent effort on the part of the prosecutor

to present prejudicial information to the jury” or “that the decision not to object

resulted in prejudice”). Likewise, we also agree with the PCR court that the no-

inference-of-guilt instruction did not prejudice Blomdahl.

Blomdahl further claims the PCR court erred in not making specific

findings of fact and conclusions concerning “witness credibility, and trial

counsel’s unilateral abandonment during the trial of the agreed-upon entrapment

defense, after raising it to the jury during opening statements” and that the court

“glossed over multiple issues raised.” As noted in Gamble v. State, 723 N.W.2d

443, 446 (Iowa 2006), “Despite the requirement of [Iowa Code] section 822.7

[(2015)] that the district court make specific findings of fact and conclusions of
10

law as to each issue, we have said that substantial compliance is sufficient.

Even if the court does not respond to all of the applicant’s allegations, the ruling

is sufficient if it responds to all the issues raised.” We have reviewed the

application and the issues raised and conclude the PCR court substantially

complied with section 822.7.

Blomdahl asserts on appeal trial counsel’s performance was so deficient

as to cause structural error. Iowa courts have recognized that prejudice is

presumed when (1) counsel is completely denied, actually or constructively, at a

crucial stage of the proceeding; (2) where counsel does not place the

prosecution’s case against meaningful adversarial testing; or (3) where

surrounding circumstances justify a presumption of ineffectiveness, such as

where counsel has an actual conflict of interest in jointly representing multiple

defendants. State v. Feregrino, 756 N.W.2d 700, 707 (Iowa 2008) (citing United

States v. Cronic, 466 U.S. 648, 659 (1984)). Trial counsel was not completely

denied. Blomdahl’s counsel vigorously cross-examined the State’s witnesses,

challenging them on their procedure and expertise and the relevancy of their

evidence. Blomdahl may wish counsel had done more. However, “[a] defendant

is not entitled to perfect representation, rather representation which is within the

normal range of competency.” State v. Artzer, 609 N.W.2d 526, 531 (Iowa

2000).

Finally, Blomdahl contends, even if trial counsel’s performance was not so

deficient as to constitute structural error, cumulative errors established

constitutionally deficient performance. When a claimant raises multiple claims of

ineffective assistance of counsel, the cumulative prejudice from those individual
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claims are to be assessed under the Strickland prejudice prong.2 State v. Clay,

824 N.W.2d 488, 500 (Iowa 2012). The prejudice prong of the Strickland test

requires the proponent of an ineffectiveness claim to show the probability of a

different result undermines confidence in the outcome. State v. Maxwell, 743

N.W.2d 185, 196 (Iowa 2008). We find Blomdahl has failed to establish

Strickland prejudice here. Having failed to prove his ineffectiveness claims, we

affirm the denial of Blomdahl’s application for postconviction relief.

AFFIRMED.

2
Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984).