State v. Moran

#27112-a-LSW

2015 S.D. 14

IN THE SUPREME COURT
OF THE
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA

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STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, Plaintiff and Appellee,

v.

BRANDON LEWIS MORAN, Defendant and Appellant.

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APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF
THE SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
LYMAN COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA

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THE HONORABLE KATHLEEN F. TRANDAHL
Judge

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MARTY J. JACKLEY
Attorney General

CAROLINE SRSTKA
Assistant Attorney General
Pierre, South Dakota Attorneys for plaintiff
and appellee.

STEVEN R. SMITH
Chamberlain, South Dakota Attorney for defendant
and appellant.

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CONSIDERED ON BRIEFS
ON FEBRUARY 17, 2015

OPINION FILED 03/18/15
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WILBUR, Justice

[¶1.] Brandon Moran appeals his conviction for possession of

methamphetamine (meth). We affirm.

Background

[¶2.] On January 17, 2014, Officer Brian Biehl observed a motor vehicle,

with no front license plate, exceeding the speed limit on I-90 in Lyman County.

Officer Biehl activated his lights and siren and followed the vehicle for several

miles. Eventually, Officer Biehl called State Radio to report the pursuit. After

following the vehicle for five miles, the driver finally pulled over. Moran was sitting

in the passenger seat. Moran’s girlfriend, Michelle Menard, was sitting in the

driver’s seat, and Moran’s friend, Adam Stoneman, was sitting in the back seat.

[¶3.] Officer Biehl ordered each of the occupants to exit the vehicle. He then

handcuffed and searched them. Officer Biehl found a 9mm bullet and 20 to 30

empty jeweler baggies commonly used to distribute controlled substances in

Stoneman’s right pocket. In the vehicle, Officer Biehl found a digital scale,

approximately one-eighth ounce of meth, and two firearms. One firearm was found

partially hidden under the driver’s seat, while the other firearm was found in a bag

of clothes. Officer Biehl searched Moran’s coat, which was located in the vehicle,

and found a small jeweler baggie containing a white powder residue. The substance

was never tested.

[¶4.] Moran, Menard, and Stoneman were ordered to sit on the ground until

additional law enforcement officers arrived at the scene. When the officers arrived,

Officer Biehl asked Moran, Menard, and Stoneman to stand up. As Moran stood up,

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a glass pipe, typically used for smoking meth, fell from his person to the ground.

Moran stepped on the pipe. Officer Biehl examined the glass pipe and observed

white residue. The residue field tested positive for meth.

[¶5.] Moran was arrested and charged with possession of meth in violation

of SDCL 22-42-5, possession with intent to distribute in violation of SDCL 22-42-2,

and possession of a firearm by a felon in violation of SDCL 22-14-15.1. The State

also filed a part II information under SDCL 22-7-7. The part II information was

based on two prior felony convictions for attempted first-degree robbery and

possession of a controlled substance.

[¶6.] An arraignment on the charged offenses was held on February 24,

2014. The parties informed the court that they had reached a plea agreement. As

part of the agreement, Moran agreed to plead guilty to possession of meth. The

State agreed to dismiss the two remaining charges and the part II information. The

State further indicated that as part of the plea agreement, although SDCL 22-6-11

provides for presumptive probation, the State intended to argue that “this is not a

presumptive probation situation.”* The court advised Moran that the maximum

* The following exchange occurred at arraignment:
The State: I guess, as a heads up, the State will be arguing
that this is not a presumptive probation situation. I’m sure that
[defense counsel] will be allowed to make the arguments he
deems fit regarding whether exceptional circumstances, or
whatever the statutes says, exist for you to do otherwise.
The court: Mr. Moran, is that your understanding of this plea
agreement?
Moran: Yes.

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penalty for possession of meth is five years in the South Dakota State Penitentiary

and a $10,000 fine. Moran responded that he understood the maximum penalty.

[¶7.] The circuit court conducted a sentencing hearing on May 19, 2014.

Moran acknowledged at the hearing that he had read his presentence report and he

did not have any additions or corrections to the report. At the hearing, the State

argued that the presumptive probation under SDCL 22-6-11 should be ignored, and,

that due to the facts of the case, the court should sentence Moran to the

penitentiary. The court concluded that Moran posed a significant risk to the public,

and aggravating circumstances warranted departure from the presumptive

probation under SDCL 22-6-11. The aggravating circumstances were based on

information found in the presentence report. The court sentenced Moran to five

years in the penitentiary. Moran appeals and raises the following two issues:

1. Whether Moran entered his guilty plea voluntarily,
knowingly, and intelligently.

2. Whether Moran’s sentence was grossly disproportionate
to the offense committed.

Analysis

[¶8.] 1. Whether Moran entered his guilty plea voluntarily,
knowingly, and intelligently.

[¶9.] Moran argues that he did not enter a voluntary, knowing, and

intelligent guilty plea. Moran claims that he entered his guilty plea on the

mistaken belief that he would receive a sentence of probation under SDCL 22-6-11.

Moran alleges that he received no warning, and, consequently, he had no reason to

know, that the circuit court was going to find aggravating circumstances allowing

for departure from the presumptive probation. It is the position of Moran that

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SDCL 22-6-11 must be interpreted to require the circuit court to give notice of its

intent to depart from the presumptive probation prior to the sentencing hearing.

Otherwise, according to Moran, defense counsel is denied an opportunity to prepare

argument and present evidence in mitigation of the aggravating circumstances.

[¶10.] We first address whether a circuit court must notify a defendant prior

to sentencing that it intends to depart from the presumptive sentencing under

SDCL 22-6-11. Statutory interpretation is reviewed de novo. In re Taliaferro, 2014

S.D. 82, ¶ 6, 856 N.W.2d 805, 806 (quoting In re Estate of Ricard, 2014 S.D. 54, ¶ 8,

851 N.W.2d 752, 755). SDCL 22-6-11 provides:

The sentencing court shall sentence an offender convicted of a
Class 5 or Class 6 felony, except those convicted under §§ 22-
11A-2.1, 22-18-1, 22-18-1. 05, 22-18-26, 22-19A-1, 22-19A-2, 22-
19A-3, 22-19A-7, 22-19A-16, 22-22A-2, 22-22A-4, 22-24A-3, 22-
22-24.3, 22-24-1.2, 22-24B-2, 22-24B-12, 22-24B-12.1, 22-24B-23,
22-42-7, subdivision 24-2-14(1), 32-34-5, and any person
ineligible for probation under § 23A-27-12, to a term of
probation. The sentencing court may impose a sentence other
than probation if the court finds aggravating circumstances
exist that pose a significant risk to the public and require a
departure from presumptive probation under this section. If a
departure is made, the judge shall state on the record at the
time of sentencing the aggravating circumstances and the same
shall be stated in the dispositional order. Neither this section
nor its application may be the basis for establishing a
constitutionally protected liberty, property, or due process
interest.

The plain language of SDCL 22-6-11 does not support Moran’s argument. The

statute contains no explicit language requiring the procedure Moran asserts.

Rather, the statute sets out a procedure requiring a circuit court to “state on the

record at the time of sentencing the aggravating circumstances and the same shall

be stated in the dispositional order.” Id. (emphasis added). There is no

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requirement that the court must notify a defendant before the sentencing hearing

that it intends to depart from presumptive probation under SDCL 22-6-11.

[¶11.] This conclusion is further supported in our recent decision, State v.

Hernandez, 2014 S.D. 16, 845 N.W.2d 21. In Hernandez, the defendant pleaded

guilty to driving under the influence and an amended part II information, charging

a fourth offense DUI. 2014 S.D. 16, ¶ 6, 845 N.W.2d at 22. The sentencing court

identified aggravating circumstances and, consequently, departed from the

presumptive probation in SDCL 22-6-11. Id. ¶ 9. On appeal, we held that the

record demonstrated that the court complied with the dictates of SDCL 22-6-11

because the “court found the existence of aggravating circumstances and made its

findings on the record at the sentencing hearing[.]” Id. ¶ 12, 845 N.W.2d at 23.

Thus, neither Hernandez nor the plain language of SDCL 22-6-11 support Moran’s

interpretation that the statute requires an additional procedural step that the

circuit court must provide notice of its intent to depart from the presumptive

probation. See id.

[¶12.] Moreover, the record establishes that, in this case, the circuit court

complied with the requirements of SDCL 22-6-11. As in Hernandez, the court found

the existence of aggravating circumstances during the sentencing hearing and made

its findings on the record. See 2014 S.D. 16, ¶ 12, 845 N.W.2d at 23. The court

found the following aggravating circumstances: possession of meth was Moran’s

third felony in eight years; Moran’s two prior felonies were attempted first-degree

robbery and possession of a controlled substance; Moran had a history of failing to

comply with conditional release; Moran violated probation on each of his two

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previous felony convictions; Moran committed the underlying felony while on

probation for his prior felony possession of a controlled substance conviction; Moran

had previously participated in three treatment programs; and two firearms, drugs,

and drug paraphernalia were found in the vehicle at the time of Moran’s arrest.

[¶13.] Next, we address Moran’s argument as to whether he entered his plea

knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently. To satisfy due process, the circuit court

must comply with certain constitutional and procedural requirements. LeGrand v.

Weber, 2014 S.D. 71, ¶ 13, 855 N.W.2d 121, 126. By pleading guilty, a defendant

gives up the right against self-incrimination, the right to confront witnesses, and

the right to a trial by jury. Boykin v. Alabama, 395 U.S. 238, 243, 89 S. Ct. 1709,

1712, 23 L. Ed. 2d 274 (1969). “‘The record must show in some manner that the

defendant understood his rights in order for the defendant’s plea to be entered

intelligently and voluntarily.’” State v. Outka, 2014 S.D. 11, ¶ 32, 844 N.W.2d 598,

607 (quoting State v. Apple, 2008 S.D. 120, ¶ 10, 759 N.W.2d 283, 287).

[¶14.] We have previously said that “codified criminal procedural rules act ‘to

ensure that guilty pleas and pleas of nolo contendere are voluntary and knowing

and to safeguard against violations of a defendant’s right to due process.’” Apple,

2008 S.D. 120, ¶ 10, 759 N.W.2d at 287 (quoting State v. Miller, 2006 S.D. 54, ¶ 17,

717 N.W.2d 614, 619). These codified criminal rules act as merely “a ‘procedural

safeguard’ for determining that a guilty plea is knowing and voluntarily entered.”

Outka, 2014 S.D. 11, ¶ 33, 844 N.W.2d at 608 (quoting State v. Beckley, 2007 S.D.

122, ¶ 10, 742 N.W.2d 841, 844). A violation of the codified criminal rules does “not

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necessarily vitiate a guilty plea.” Id. (quoting Beckley, 2007 S.D. 122, ¶ 10, 742

N.W.2d at 844) (internal quotation marks omitted).

[¶15.] Instead, “[w]e look to the totality of the circumstances when

ascertaining whether a plea was made knowingly and voluntarily.” Id. (alteration

in original) (quoting State v. Olson, 2012 S.D. 55, ¶ 20, 816 N.W.2d 830, 836). “‘In

examining the totality of the circumstances we have taken into consideration the

following factors: the defendant’s age; his prior criminal record; whether he is

represented by counsel; the existence of a plea agreement; and the time between

advisement of rights and entering a plea of guilty.’” Id. (quoting Olson, 2012 S.D.

55, ¶ 20, 816 N.W.2d at 836).

[¶16.] The totality of the circumstances establishes that Moran knowingly,

voluntarily, and intelligently entered his guilty plea. Moran, who was 27 years old

at the time he was sentenced, had an extensive criminal history for his age that

included convictions of attempted first-degree robbery and possession of a controlled

substance. He was represented by counsel at each stage of the proceedings. The

circuit court advised Moran of his constitutional and procedural rights at

arraignment and at sentencing. During arraignment, the State advised Moran and

the court that it intended to argue at the sentencing hearing “that this is not a

presumptive probation situation.” The court asked Moran if that was his

understanding of the plea agreement, and he responded affirmatively. The court

further advised Moran that “[t]he maximum penalty for possession of a controlled

substance is five years in the South Dakota Penitentiary and a $10,000 fine.” The

court asked Moran if he understood, and, again, he responded affirmatively.

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[¶17.] Furthermore, the circuit court found the existence of aggravating

circumstances and made the findings on the record. See Hernandez, 2014 S.D. 16,

¶ 12, 845 N.W.2d at 23. The court noted that the aggravating circumstances were

based on information in the presentence report. At the sentencing hearing, Moran

acknowledged that he had read the presentence report and did not have any

additions or corrections. We conclude that Moran entered his guilty plea

knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently.

[¶18.] 2. Whether Moran’s sentence was grossly disproportionate
to the offense committed.

[¶19.] Moran argues his constitutional rights were violated when the circuit

court sentenced him to the maximum sentence of five years imprisonment. Moran

claims that the punishment he received was unconstitutionally excessive in

violation of the Eighth Amendment.

[¶20.] The Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution prohibits

the imposition of cruel and unusual punishments. State v. Brende, 2013 S.D. 56,

¶ 34, 835 N.W.2d 131, 145; U.S. Const. amend. VIII. “When a defendant challenges

a sentence as cruel and unusual under the Eighth Amendment, this Court reviews

it for gross disproportionality[.]” State v. Craig, 2014 S.D. 43, ¶ 33, 850 N.W.2d 828,

837.

[W]e first determine whether the sentence appears grossly
disproportionate. To accomplish this, we consider the conduct
involved, and any relevant past conduct, with utmost deference
to the Legislature and the sentencing court. If these
circumstances fail to suggest gross disproportionality, our
review ends. If, on the other hand, the sentence appears grossly
disproportionate, we may, in addition to examining the other
Solem factors, conduct an intra- and inter-jurisdictional analysis
to aid our comparison or remand to the circuit court to conduct

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such comparison before resentencing. We may also consider
other relevant factors, such as the effect upon society of this type
of offense.

State v. Bonner, 1998 S.D. 30, ¶ 17, 577 N.W.2d 575, 580 (citing Harmelin v.

Michigan, 501 U.S. 957, 1000, 111 S. Ct. 2680, 2704, 115 L. Ed. 2d 836 (1991)).

[¶21.] Our first consideration is whether there is a threshold showing of gross

disproportionality. State v. Buchhold, 2007 S.D. 15, ¶ 36, 727 N.W.2d 816, 825.

The circuit court noted that Moran’s conduct in this case involved fleeing from law

enforcement, possession, use, and intent to distribute controlled substances, and

possession of a firearm. The court further acknowledged that Moran was only 27

years old at the time of the sentencing hearing and already had an extensive

criminal history, including attempted first-degree robbery and possession of a

controlled substance. In fact, Moran committed the underlying crime in this case

while he was still on felony probation for a previous conviction of possession of a

controlled substance.

[¶22.] The circuit court sentenced Moran to the maximum sentence of five

years imprisonment in violation of SDCL 22-42-5. The sentence was within the

statutory limits of SDCL 22-42-5. We have recognized that “a sentence within the

statutory maximum will rarely be disturbed.” State v. Larsen-Smith, 2011 S.D. 93,

¶ 5, 807 N.W.2d 817, 819 (quoting State v. Iannarelli, 2008 S.D. 121, ¶ 12, 759

N.W.2d 122, 125). The court concluded that the existence of the many aggravating

circumstances in this case made Moran a “danger to the community” and warranted

departure from the presumptive probation under SDCL 22-6-11. We agree. The

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circumstances in this case “fail to suggest gross disproportionality[.]” Bonner, 1998

S.D. 30, ¶ 17, 577 N.W.2d at 580. Therefore, our review ends.

[¶23.] We affirm.

[¶24.] GILBERTSON, Chief Justice, and ZINTER, SEVERSON, and KERN,

Justices, concur.

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