STATE OF OHIO -vs- KENNETH HAMPTON

Canton, Ohio - Criminal defense attorney represented Kenneth Hampton with six counts of Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs, six counts of Aggravated Possession of Drugs, one count Trafficking in Drugs charges.

On February 20, 2020, Appellant was indicted for two counts of Possession

of Drugs in violation of R.C. 2925.11, two counts of Trafficking of Drugs in violation of

R.C. 2925.03, one count of Having Weapons While Under Disability in violation of R.C.

2923.13, and one count of Improper Handling Firearms in a Motor Vehicle in violation of

R.C. 2923.16.

{¶3} On May 27, 2020, the Licking County Grand Jury returned an amended

indictment charging Appellant with: Possession of Drugs (heroin) in amounts in excess of

fifty grams in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A)/(C)(6)(e), a first-degree felony; Aggravated

Trafficking in Drugs (heroin) in amounts in excess of fifty grams in violation of R.C.

2925.03(A)(2)/(C)(6)(f), a first-degree felony; Aggravated Possession of Drugs

(methamphetamine) that are five times the bulk amount in violation of R.C.

2925.11(A)/(C)(1)(c), a second-degree felony; Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs

(methamphetamines) that are five times the bulk amount in violation of R.C.

2925.03(A)(2)/(C)(1)(d), a second-degree felony; Having a Weapon While Under

Disability in violation R.C. 2923.13(A)(3), a third-degree felony; Aggravated Trafficking in Licking County, Case No. 2020 CA 0063 3

Drugs (oxycodone) in violation of R.C. 2925.03(A)/(C)(1)(a), a fourth-degree felony;

Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (hydrocodone) in violation of R.C. 2925.03(A)/(C)(1)(a),

a fourth-degree felony; Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (amphetamines) in violation of

R.C. 2925.03(A)/(C)(1)(a), a fourth-degree felony; Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs

(eutylone, a substituted cathinone) in violation of RC. 2925.03(A)/(C)(1)(a), a fourthdegree felony; Improper Handling of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle in violation of R.C.

2923.16(B), a fourth-degree felony; Aggravated Possession of Drugs (hydrocodone) in

violation of R.C. 2925.11(A)/(C)(1)(a), a fifth-degree felony; Aggravated Possession of

Drugs (eutylone, a substituted cathinone) in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A)/(C)(1)(a);

Aggravated Possession of Drugs (amphetamines) in violation of R.C.

2925.11(A)/(C)(1)(a); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (oxycodone) in violation of R.C.

2925.11(A)/(C)(1)(a); Drug Possession (buprenorphine) in violation of R.C.

2925.11(A)/(C)(2)(a); and Trafficking in Drugs (buprenorphine) in violation of R.C.

2925.03(A)(2)/(C)(2)(a). The indictment also included a forfeiture specification for the

firearm under R.C. 2981.02(A)(1)(c) and R.C. 2941.1417(A).

{¶4} On September 15, 2020, the case proceeded to a jury trial.

{¶5} At trial, the State called Officer DeJesus to testify. Officer DeJesus testified

that on February 7, 2020, he initiated a traffic stop as the license plate was improperly

displayed. DeJesus was notified that the vehicle's registration had expired. As Officer

DeJesus approached the vehicle he noticed the strong odor of marijuana coming from

the car. Licking County, Case No. 2020 CA 0063 4

{¶6} Officer DeJesus identified David Dirkhising as the driver of the vehicle,

Austin Mahoney in the front passenger seat, and Appellant as the passenger in the back

seat.

{¶7} Officer DeJesus testified that after removing the passengers from the

vehicle, he began to search the car to locate from where the marijuana was coming. In

the backseat of the vehicle, Officer DeJesus located a backpack. The backpack contained

a loaded black handgun, a black headphone case for Beats headphones, a charger for

the headphones, a silver digital scale, a jar of marijuana, pills, plastic baggies, and

containers of powder. Officer DeJesus also located a plastic baggy on Appellant, which

Appellant told Officer DeJesus contained "Molly”. There was no drug paraphernalia or

digital scales found in the rest of the car. Nothing illegal was found in the trunk.

{¶8} Austin Mahoney testified that he was an acquaintance of Appellant.

Mahoney further testified that he and Dirkhising gave Appellant a ride to a girlfriend's

house. Appellant was smoking marijuana and carrying the backpack which contained the

drugs and guns when they picked up Appellant.

{¶9} David Dirkhising testified he did not know Appellant. Mahoney received a

text message from Appellant asking for a ride to his girlfriend's house. Dirkhising told

Mahoney he would give Appellant a ride if he chipped in for gas. Dirkhising testified that

Appellant was carrying the backpack which contained the gun, drugs, and paraphernalia.

When Appellant entered the vehicle, Appellant sat in the back seat on the driver's side.

{¶10} Mark Hiatt of the Central Ohio Regional Crime Lab identified the powder

recovered from the backpack as: methamphetamine, oxycodone, diazepam, and heroin. Licking County, Case No. 2020 CA 0063 5

{¶11} Scott Miller, a Forensic Scientist with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal

Investigation testified the pills recovered from the backpack were oxycodone,

amphetamine, buprenorphine, and hydrocodone. Miller also identified the powder

recovered from Appellant's pocket as eutylone and testified it is sometimes referred to as

"Molly.”

{¶12} On September 17, 2020, the jury returned a verdict of guilty on all sixteen

charges.

{¶13} The trial court merged all of the matched trafficking and possession charges

along with the two firearm charges. The trial court imposed a prison term of ten to fifteen

years for Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (heroin) in violation of R.C.

2925.03(A)(2)/(C)(6)(f), five years for Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs

(methamphetamine) in violation of R.C. 2925.03(A)(2)/(C)(1)(d), two years for Having a

Weapon While Under Disability in violation of R.C. 2923.13(A)(3), one year for

Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (oxycodone) in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A)/(C)(1)(a),

one year for Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (hydrocodone) in violation of R.C.

2925.03(A)/(C)(1)(a), one year for Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (amphetamine) in

violation of R.C. 2925.11(A)/(C)(1)(a), one year for Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs

(substituted cathinones) in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A)/(C)(1)(a), and one year for

Trafficking in Drugs (buprenorphine) in violation of R.C. 2925.03(A)(2)/(C)(2)(a), to be

served concurrently. The court also imposed a mandatory five years of post-release

control. Appellant received 221 days of jail credit.

Licking County, Case No. 2020 CA 0063 6

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR

{¶14} On October 8, 2020, Appellant filed a notice of appeal and herein raises the

following sole Assignment of Error:

{¶15} "I. OTHER THAN COUNTS NINE AND TWELVE, NONE OF THE COUNTS

WERE SUPPORTED BY THE WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE ON THE ISSUE OF

POSSESSION.”

I.

{¶16} In Appellant's sole Assignment of Error, Appellant argues the jury's verdict

was against the manifest weight of the evidence. We disagree.

{¶17} When reviewing a weight of the evidence argument, the appellate court

reviews the entire record weighing the evidence and all reasonable inferences, considers

credibility of witnesses and determines whether in resolving conflicts of evidence, the jury

clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction

must be reversed and a new trial ordered. State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380.

{¶18} The jury convicted Appellant on Possession of Drugs (heroin) in amounts in

excess of fifty grams in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A)/(C)(6)(e), a first-degree felony;

Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (heroin) in amounts in excess of fifty grams in violation

of R.C. 2925.03(A)(2)/(C)(6)(f), a first-degree felony; Aggravated Possession of Drugs

(methamphetamine) that are five times the bulk amount in violation of R.C.

2925.11(A)/(C)(1)(c), a second-degree felony; Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs

(methamphetamines) that are five times the bulk amount in violation of R.C.

2925.03(A)(2)/(C)(1)(d), a second-degree felony; Having a Weapon While Under

Disability in violation R.C. 2923.13(A)(3), a third-degree felony; Aggravated Trafficking in Licking County, Case No. 2020 CA 0063 7

Drugs (oxycodone) in violation of R.C. 2925.03(A)/(C)(1)(a), a fourth-degree felony;

Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (hydrocodone) in violation of R.C. 2925.03(A)/(C)(1)(a),

a fourth-degree felony; Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (amphetamines) in violation of

R.C. 2925.03(A)/(C)(1)(a), a fourth-degree felony; Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs

(eutylone, a substituted cathinone) in violation of RC. 2925.03(A)/(C)(1)(a), a fourthdegree felony; Improper Handling of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle in violation of R.C.

2923.16(B), a fourth-degree felony; Aggravated Possession of Drugs (hydrocodone) in

violation of R.C. 2925.11(A)/(C)(1)(a), a fifth-degree felony; Aggravated Possession of

Drugs (eutylone, a substituted cathinone) in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A)/(C)(1)(a);

Aggravated Possession of Drugs (amphetamines) in violation of R.C.

2925.11(A)/(C)(1)(a); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (oxycodone) in violation of R.C.

2925.11(A)/(C)(1)(a); Drug Possession (buprenorphine) in violation of R.C.

2925.11(A)/(C)(2)(a); and Trafficking in Drugs (buprenorphine) in violation of R.C.

2925.03(A)(2)/(C)(2)(a).

{¶19} R.C. 2923.13 in pertinent part states:

(A) Unless relieved from disability under operation of law or legal

process, no person shall knowingly acquire, have, carry, or use any firearm

or dangerous ordnance, if any of the following apply:

...

(3) The person is under indictment for or has been convicted of any

felony offense involving the illegal possession, use, sale, administration,

distribution, or trafficking in any drug of abuse or has been adjudicated a

delinquent child for the commission of an offense that, if committed by an Licking County, Case No. 2020 CA 0063 8

adult, would have been a felony offense involving the illegal possession,

use, sale, administration, distribution, or trafficking in any drug of abuse.

{¶20} R.C. 2923.16(B) states:

(A) No person shall knowingly transport or have a loaded firearm in

a motor vehicle in such a manner that the firearm is accessible to the

operator or any passenger without leaving the vehicle.

{¶21} R.C. 2925.03 in pertinent part states:

(A) No person shall do any of the following:

...

(2) Prepare for shipment, ship, transport, deliver, prepare for

distribution, or distribute a controlled substance or a controlled substance

analog, when the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that

the controlled substance or a controlled substance analog is intended for

sale or resale by the offender or another person

...

(C) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of one of the

following:

(1) If the drug involved in the violation is any compound, mixture,

preparation, or substance included in schedule I or schedule II, with the

exception of marihuana, cocaine, L.S.D., heroin, any fentanyl-related

compound, hashish, and any controlled substance analog, whoever violates

division (A) of this section is guilty of aggravated trafficking in drugs. The

penalty for the offense shall be determined as follows: Licking County, Case No. 2020 CA 0063 9

(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(1)(b), (c), (d), (e), or

(f) of this section, aggravated trafficking in drugs is a felony of the fourth

degree, and division (C) of section 2929.13 of the Revised Code applies in

determining whether to impose a prison term on the offender.

...

(d) Except as otherwise provided in this division, if the amount of the

drug involved equals or exceeds five times the bulk amount but is less than

fifty times the bulk amount, aggravated trafficking in drugs is a felony of the

second degree, and the court shall impose as a mandatory prison term a

second degree felony mandatory prison term. If the amount of the drug

involved is within that range and if the offense was committed in the vicinity

of a school or in the vicinity of a juvenile, aggravated trafficking in drugs is

a felony of the first degree, and the court shall impose as a mandatory prison

term a first degree felony mandatory prison term.

...

(2) If the drug involved in the violation is any compound, mixture,

preparation, or substance included in schedule III, IV, or V, whoever violates

division (A) of this section is guilty of trafficking in drugs. The penalty for the

offense shall be determined as follows:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(2)(b), (c), (d), or (e)

of this section, trafficking in drugs is a felony of the fifth degree, and division

(B) of section 2929.13 of the Revised Code applies in determining whether

to impose a prison term on the offender. Licking County, Case No. 2020 CA 0063 10

(6) If the drug involved in the violation is heroin or a compound,

mixture, preparation, or substance containing heroin, whoever violates

division (A) of this section is guilty of trafficking in heroin. The penalty for

the offense shall be determined as follows:

(f) If the amount of the drug involved equals or exceeds five hundred

unit doses but is less than one thousand unit doses or equals or exceeds

fifty grams but is less than one hundred grams and regardless of whether

the offense was committed in the vicinity of a school or in the vicinity of a

juvenile, trafficking in heroin is a felony of the first degree, and the court

shall impose as a mandatory prison term a first degree felony mandatory

prison term.

{¶22} R.C. 2925.11 in pertinent part states:

(A) No person shall knowingly obtain, possess, or use a

controlled substance analog.

...

(C) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of one of the

following:

(1) If the drug involved in the violation is a compound, mixture,

preparation, or substance included in schedule I or II, with the exception of

marihuana, cocaine, L.S.D., heroin, any fentanyl-related compound,

hashish, and any controlled substance analog, whoever violates division

(A) of this section is guilty of aggravated possession of drugs. The penalty

for the offense shall be determined as follows: Licking County, Case No. 2020 CA 0063 11

(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(1)(b), (c), (d), or (e)

of this section, aggravated possession of drugs is a felony of the fifth

degree, and division (B) of section 2929.13 of the Revised Code applies in

determining whether to impose a prison term on the offender.

...

(c) If the amount of drug involved equals or exceeds five times bulk

amount but is less than fifty times the bulk amount, aggravated possession

of drugs is a felony of the second degree, and the court shall impose as a

mandatory prison term a second degree felony mandatory prison term.

(d) If the amount of drug involved equals or exceeds fifty times the

bulk amount but is less than one hundred times bulk amount, aggravated

possession of drugs is a felony of the first degree, and the court shall

impose as a mandatory prison term a first degree felony mandatory prison

term.

...

(2) If the drug involved in the violation is a compound, mixture,

preparation, or substance included in schedule III, IV, or V, whoever

violates division (A) of this section is guilty of possession of drugs. The

penalty for the offense shall be determined as follows:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in division(C)(2)(b), (c), or (d) of

this section, possession of drugs is a misdemeanor of the first degree or,

if the offender previously has been convicted of a drug abuse offense, a

felony of the fifth degree. Licking County, Case No. 2020 CA 0063 12

{¶23} In the case sub judice, Appellee's witnesses testified that Appellant, who

was not allowed to carry a firearm, brought a loaded firearm into the vehicle for transport.

Appellant had the following controlled substances on his person or in the backpack he

brought into the vehicle: methamphetamines, heroin, oxycodone, amphetamines,

buprenorphine, hydrocodone, and eutylone, a substitute cathinone.

{¶24} Appellant specifically challenges the weight of the evidence with regard to

Appellant's ownership of the backpack. At trial Officer DeJesus testified he found the

backpack in the back seat where Appellant was sitting and that the case for the

headphones Appellant was using was found in the backpack. Mahoney and Dirkhising

also testified that Appellant brought the backpack into the car with him, and that they were

unaware of the contents of the backpack.

Our review of the entire record fails to persuade us that the jury lost its way

and created a manifest miscarriage of justice. Appellant was not convicted against the manifest weight of the evidence.