State of Idaho v. Brian John Matuguina

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF IDAHO

Docket No. 51421

STATE OF IDAHO, )
) Filed: May 1, 2025
Plaintiff-Respondent, )
) Melanie Gagnepain, Clerk
v. )
) THIS IS AN UNPUBLISHED
BRIAN JOHN MATUGUINA, ) OPINION AND SHALL NOT
) BE CITED AS AUTHORITY
Defendant-Appellant. )
)

Appeal from the District Court of the Fourth Judicial District, State of Idaho, Ada
County. Hon. Samuel Hoagland, District Judge.

Judgment of conviction and unified sentence of fifteen years, with a minimum
period of confinement of five years, for attempted lewd conduct with a minor child
under sixteen; and a consecutive, indeterminate sentence of fifteen years, for
solicitation of lewd conduct with a minor child under sixteen, affirmed; order
denying I.C.R. 35 motion for reduction of sentences, affirmed.

Erik R. Lehtinen, State Appellate Public Defender; Brian R. Dickson, Deputy
Appellate Public Defender, Boise, for appellant.

Hon. Raúl R. Labrador, Attorney General; Kacey L. Jones, Deputy Attorney
General, Boise, for respondent.
________________________________________________

Before GRATTON, Chief Judge; HUSKEY, Judge;
and TRIBE, Judge
________________________________________________
PER CURIAM
Brian John Matuguina was found guilty of attempted lewd conduct with a minor child
under sixteen (Idaho Code §§ 18-1508, -306) and solicitation of lewd conduct with a minor child
under sixteen (I.C. §§ 18-2001, -1508). The district court sentenced Matuguina to a unified term
of fifteen years, with a minimum period of confinement of five years, for attempted lewd conduct
with a minor child under sixteen; and a consecutive, indeterminate term of fifteen years, for
solicitation of lewd conduct with a minor child under sixteen. Matuguina filed an Idaho Criminal

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Rule 35 motion, which the district court denied. Matuguina appeals, arguing that his sentences are
excessive and that the district court erred in denying his Rule 35 motion for reduction of sentences.
Sentencing is a matter for the trial court’s discretion. Both our standard of review and the
factors to be considered in evaluating the reasonableness of the sentence are well established. See
State v. Hernandez, 121 Idaho 114, 117-18, 822 P.2d 1011, 1014-15 (Ct. App. 1991); State v.
Lopez, 106 Idaho 447, 449-51, 680 P.2d 869, 871-73 (Ct. App. 1984); State v. Toohill, 103 Idaho
565, 568, 650 P.2d 707, 710 (Ct. App. 1982). When reviewing the length of a sentence, we
consider the defendant’s entire sentence. State v. Oliver, 144 Idaho 722, 726, 170 P.3d 387, 391
(2007). Our role is limited to determining whether reasonable minds could reach the same
conclusion as the district court. State v. Biggs, 168 Idaho 112, 116, 480 P.3d 150, 154 (Ct. App.
2020). Applying these standards, and having reviewed the record in this case, we cannot say that
the district court abused its discretion.
Next, we review whether the district court erred in denying Matuguina’s Rule 35 motion.
A motion for reduction of sentence under Rule 35 is essentially a plea for leniency, addressed to
the sound discretion of the court. State v. Knighton, 143 Idaho 318, 319, 144 P.3d 23, 24 (2006);
State v. Allbee, 115 Idaho 845, 846, 771 P.2d 66, 67 (Ct. App. 1989). In presenting a Rule 35
motion, the defendant must show that the sentence is excessive in light of new or additional
information subsequently provided to the district court in support of the motion. State v. Huffman,
144 Idaho 201, 203, 159 P.3d 838, 840 (2007). Upon review of the record, including any new or
additional information submitted with Matuguina’s Rule 35 motion, we conclude no abuse of
discretion has been shown.
Therefore, Matuguina’s judgment of conviction and sentences, and the district court’s order
denying Matuguina’s Rule 35 motion, are affirmed.

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