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2025 Ohio 5464

State v. Stackhouse

Ohio Court of Appeals

Decided December 8, 2025

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Ohio Court of Appeals · decided 2025-12-08

Manifest Weight of the Evidence; Drug Possession; Constructive Possession; Admission and Exclusion of Evidence; Motion in Limine; Third-Party Guilt; Consecutive Sentences; R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(c). The defendant-appellant's convictions for drug possession are not against the manifest weight of the evidence where his constructive possession of the drugs was supported by their discovery in plain view, his on-scene admission of ownership, and his statement about recent cocaine use. The trial court did not abuse its discretion by excluding evidence of a third party's prior criminal conviction because it was too remote and failed to sufficiently connect her to the crimes at issue. The trial court's imposition of consecutive sentences is supported by the record, as the defendant-appellant's lengthy criminal history and the seriousness of the offenses demonstrate that the sentences are necessary to protect the public.

Relies on State v. Thompkins · 20 Ohio App. 3d 172 - State v. Martin · Chambers v. Mississippi

Decided 2025-12-08

[Cite as State v. Stackhouse, 
2025-Ohio-5464
.]




                      IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                          THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
                               SENECA COUNTY




STATE OF OHIO,                                     CASE NO. 13-25-06

         PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,

    v.

TYRICE STACKHOUSE,                                 OPINION AND
                                                   JUDGMENT ENTRY
         DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.




                  Appeal from Seneca County Common Pleas Court
                            Trial Court No. 24 CR 0170

                                      Judgment Affirmed

                           Date of Decision: December 8, 2025



APPEARANCES:

         Brian A. Smith for Appellant

         Stephanie J. Kiser for Appellee
Case No. 13-25-06




ZIMMERMAN, J.

      {¶1} Defendant-appellant, Tyrice Stackhouse (“Stackhouse”), appeals the

January 14, 2025 judgment entry of sentence of the Seneca County Court of

Common Pleas. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.

      {¶2} This case stems from a single-vehicle accident in Fostoria, Ohio, where

Stackhouse was found therein unresponsive. The vehicle, which was registered to

his then girlfriend, April Iannantuono (“Iannantuono”), contained large quantities

of drugs that Stackhouse initially claimed were his, allegedly to protect

Iannantuono.

      {¶3} On June 20, 2024, the Seneca County Grand Jury indicted Stackhouse

on Count One of aggravated possession of drugs in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A),

(C)(1)(c), a second-degree felony; Count Two of possession of cocaine in violation

of R.C. 2925.11(A), (C)(4)(e), a first-degree felony; and Count Three of possession

of a fentanyl-related compound in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A), (C)(11)(b), a

fourth-degree felony. On August 28, 2024, Stackhouse appeared for arraignment

and pleaded not guilty.

      {¶4} The case proceeded to a jury trial on December 16-17, 2024. Before

the presentation of evidence, the State moved to exclude evidence of Iannantuono’s




                                        -2-
Case No. 13-25-06


prior criminal (drug) conduct that resulted in an intervention in lieu of conviction.1

On December 17, 2024, the jury found Stackhouse guilty of all three counts alleged

in the indictment.

           {¶5} On January 14, 2025, the trial court sentenced Stackhouse to a

minimum term of 6 years to a maximum term of 9 years in prison on Count One; to

a minimum term of 8 years to a maximum term of 12 years in prison on Count Two;

and to 16 months in prison on Count Three. The trial court ordered the sentences

imposed as to Counts One and Two to be served consecutively, and the sentence for

Count Three to be served concurrently to the others, for an aggregate indefinite

prison term of 14 to 18 years. The trial court also ordered this aggregate sentence

to be served consecutively to a sentence that Stackhouse was already serving in a

Wood County case.

           {¶6} Stackhouse filed his notice of appeal on January 14, 2025. He raises

three assignments of error for our review.

                                      First Assignment of Error

           Because the jury lost its way and created a manifest miscarriage
           of justice in convicting Appellant, Appellant’s convictions, with
           respect to all counts, were against the manifest weight of the
           evidence.

           {¶7} In his first assignment of error, Stackhouse argues that his convictions

are against the manifest weight of the evidence. In particular, Stackhouse contends



1
    Even though Stackhouse subpoenaed Iannantuono to testify at trial, she did not appear to testify.

                                                       -3-
Case No. 13-25-06


that the weight of the evidence reflects that Iannantuono was the one who actually

possessed the drugs.

                                 Standard of Review

       {¶8} Manifest “weight of the evidence and sufficiency of the evidence are

clearly different legal concepts.” State v. Thompkins, 
78 Ohio St.3d 380
, 389

(1997). In determining whether a conviction is against the manifest weight of the

evidence, a reviewing court must examine the entire record, “‘weigh[] the evidence

and all reasonable inferences, consider[] the credibility of witnesses and determine[]

whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the [trier of fact] clearly lost its way

and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be

reversed and a new trial ordered.’” Id. at 387, quoting State v. Martin, 
20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175
 (1st Dist. 1983). A reviewing court must, however, allow the trier

of fact appropriate discretion on matters relating to the weight of the evidence and

the credibility of the witnesses. State v. DeHass, 
10 Ohio St.2d 230, 231
 (1967).

When applying the manifest-weight standard, “[o]nly in exceptional cases, where

the evidence ‘weighs heavily against the conviction,’ should an appellate court

overturn the trial court’s judgment.” State v. Haller, 
2012-Ohio-5233, ¶ 9
 (3d Dist.),

quoting State v. Hunter, 
2011-Ohio-6524, ¶ 119
.

                                       Analysis

       {¶9} Stackhouse was convicted of aggravated possession of drugs,

possession of cocaine, and possession of a fentanyl-related compound. Ohio’s drug

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Case No. 13-25-06


possession statute provides, in its relevant part, that “[n]o person shall knowingly

obtain, possess, or use a controlled substance or a controlled substance analog.”

R.C. 2925.11(A).     To secure a conviction for drug possession under R.C.

2925.11(A), the State must prove the defendant “knowingly” possessed a controlled

substance. “A person acts knowingly, regardless of purpose, when the person is

aware that the person’s conduct will probably cause a certain result or will probably

be of a certain nature. A person has knowledge of circumstances when the person

is aware that such circumstances probably exist.” R.C. 2901.22(B).

       {¶10} On appeal, Stackhouse argues his convictions are against the manifest

weight of the evidence, contending that the evidence suggesting Iannantuono

possessed the drugs is more compelling than the evidence against him. “‘Possess’

or ‘possession’ means having control over a thing or substance, but may not be

inferred solely from mere access to the thing or substance through ownership or

occupation of the premises upon which the thing or substance is found.” R.C.

2925.01(K).    “The issue of whether a person charged with drug possession

knowingly possessed a controlled substance ‘is to be determined from all the

attendant facts and circumstances available.’” State v. Brooks, 
2012-Ohio-5235, ¶ 45
 (3d Dist.), quoting State v. Teamer, 
82 Ohio St.3d 490
, 492 (1998).

       {¶11} “Possession of drugs can be either actual or constructive.” State v.

Bustamante, 
2013-Ohio-4975, ¶ 25
 (3d Dist.). “‘A person has “actual possession”

of an item if the item is within his immediate physical possession.’” 
Id.,
 quoting

                                         -5-
Case No. 13-25-06


State v. Williams, 
2004-Ohio-1130, ¶ 23
 (4th Dist.). “A person has ‘constructive

possession’ if he is able to exercise dominion and control over an item, even if the

individual does not have immediate physical possession of it.” 
Id.
 “For constructive

possession to exist, ‘[i]t must also be shown that the person was conscious of the

presence of the object.’” 
Id.,
 quoting State v. Hankerson, 
70 Ohio St.2d 87, 91

(1982).

       {¶12} “[T]he State may prove the existence of the various elements of

constructive possession of contraband by circumstantial evidence alone.” 
Id.
 See

also Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d at 272-273. “Readily usable drugs in close proximity to

an accused may constitute sufficient circumstantial evidence to support a finding of

constructive possession.” State v. Ruby, 
2002-Ohio-5381
, ¶ 36 (2d Dist.). “Absent

a defendant’s admission, the surrounding facts and circumstances, including the

defendant’s actions, are evidence that the trier of fact can consider in determining

whether the defendant had constructive possession.” State v. Voll, 
2012-Ohio-3900, ¶ 19
 (3d Dist.).

       {¶13} Consequently, since it is the only element that he challenges, we will

address the weight of the evidence supporting whether Stackhouse possessed the

drugs. Here, Stackhouse points to the evidence that the violent collision could have

dislodged the drugs from a concealed part of the vehicle, meaning he never

knowingly possessed them. He further contends that his on-scene admission was a

false statement made only to protect Iannantuono, whose own drug history and

                                        -6-
Case No. 13-25-06


failure to testify at trial (even though Stackhouse subpoenaed her to testify) suggest

that the contraband belonged to her.

       {¶14} Decisively, the evidence presented at trial reflects that Stackhouse

actually possessed the drugs because he admitted to Officer Jared Lindig (“Officer

Lindig”) of the Fostoria Police Department that the drugs were his. Accord State v.

Pollard, 
2025-Ohio-1706, ¶ 24
 (11th Dist.). Indeed, Officer Lindig testified at trial

that he was dispatched to the scene of a single vehicle accident where he found

Stackhouse unresponsive and slumped across the front seat of the damaged vehicle.

According to Officer Lindig, as he approached the passenger side of the vehicle, he

immediately saw two bags of a white powdery substance in plain view on the

passenger seat, in the proximate location where Stackhouse was found. After

rousing Stackhouse by shaking him, Officer Lindig observed Stackhouse move his

hands toward the area where the suspected drugs were located. He further testified

that, after being read his Miranda rights and asked about the packages, Stackhouse

first asked, “how much”—which Officer Lindig understood to be a question about

the quantity of drugs found—and then admitted, “It’s mine.” (Dec. 16, 2024 Tr. at

114). Officer Lindig also testified that Stackhouse admitted to using cocaine earlier

that evening.

       {¶15} Nevertheless, Stackhouse contends that his on-scene statements

should be given little weight because he was disoriented from the accident and had

just been woken up. Specifically, he argues that his question of “how much” was

                                         -7-
Case No. 13-25-06


one of genuine confusion, not an admission of knowledge. He further asserts that

his confession should have been discounted because he later revoked it, testifying

that he was falsely “taking the hit” to protect Iannantuono.

       {¶16} “Although we review credibility when considering the manifest

weight of the evidence, the credibility of witnesses is primarily a determination for

the trier of fact.” State v. Banks, 
2011-Ohio-5671, ¶ 13
 (8th Dist.). “The trier of

fact is best able ‘to view the witnesses and observe their demeanor, gestures[,] and

voice inflections, and use these observations in weighing the credibility of the

proffered testimony.’” 
Id.,
 quoting State v. Wilson, 
2007-Ohio-2202
, ¶ 24.

       {¶17} In this case, the jury was presented with two competing narratives.

Specifically, the jury was free to credit, based on Stackhouse’s explicit admission

of ownership, along with the drugs’ placement in plain view and his admission of

recent drug use, that he actually possessed the contraband. Alternatively, the jury

was free to accept Stackhouse’s testimony that he was merely “taking the hit” for

Iannantuono. However, the jury was free to disbelieve his explanation, just as it is

free to reject any defendant’s claim that another person is responsible for

contraband. Compare Ruby, 
2002-Ohio-5381
, at ¶ 44 (2d Dist.) (holding that

Ruby’s conviction was not against the manifest weight of the evidence where the

jury, as the arbiter of witness credibility, was free to disbelieve the defendant’s claim

that a known drug dealer who was also in the vehicle was responsible for the

contraband).

                                          -8-
Case No. 13-25-06


      {¶18} Furthermore, the jury observed Stackhouse’s testimony and was made

aware of Iannantuono’s refusal to testify. “‘“A verdict is not against the manifest

weight of the evidence because the [jury] chose to believe the State’s witnesses

rather than the defendant’s version of the events.”’” State v. Missler, 2015-Ohio-

1076, ¶ 44 (3d Dist.), quoting State v. Bean, 
2014-Ohio-908, ¶ 15
 (9th Dist.),

quoting State v. Martinez, 
2013-Ohio-3189, ¶ 16
 (9th Dist.). Thus, that the jury

afforded more weight to the State’s evidence than Stackhouse’s version of events

does not render his convictions against the manifest weight of the evidence.

      {¶19} For these reasons, we conclude that the trier of fact did not lose its way

in determining that the evidence that Stackhouse did not possess the drugs is not

more compelling and credible than the evidence that he committed the offenses of

which he was convicted. Therefore, Stackhouse’s convictions are not against the

manifest weight of the evidence.

      {¶20} Stackhouse’s first assignment of error is overruled.

                          Second Assignment of Error

      The trial court abused its discretion in granting the State’s
      Motion in Limine to exclude records from April Iannantuono’s
      prior case in the Seneca County Court of Common Pleas, case
      number 18 CR 0292, in violation of Appellant’s right to Due
      Process under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the
      United States Constitution and Article I, Section 16 of the Ohio
      Constitution.

      {¶21} In his second assignment of error, Stackhouse argues that the trial

court abused its discretion by excluding the records from Iannantuono’s prior

                                        -9-
Case No. 13-25-06


criminal case. Specifically, he contends that the evidence of Iannantuono’s prior

intervention in lieu of conviction for trafficking in cocaine was essential to his

constitutional right to present a complete defense by showing that a third party had

motive and opportunity to possess the drugs found in the vehicle.

                                 Standard of Review

       {¶22} Generally, the admission or exclusion of evidence lies within the trial

court’s discretion, and a reviewing court should not reverse absent an abuse of

discretion and material prejudice. State v. Conway, 
2006-Ohio-2815
, ¶ 62. See also

State v. Boyd, 
2025-Ohio-3248, ¶ 101
 (6th Dist.) (acknowledging that a trial court’s

decision to grant or deny a motion in limine is reviewed under an abuse-of-

discretion standard). An abuse of discretion implies that the trial court acted

unreasonably, arbitrarily, or unconscionably. State v. Adams, 
62 Ohio St.2d 151, 157-158
 (1980).

                                       Analysis

       {¶23} A motion in limine is a pretrial request requesting a court to prohibit

the opposing side from presenting evidence that is so prejudicial that no instruction

from the judge could cure the damage. State v. Miller, 
2018-Ohio-4648, ¶ 8
 (3d

Dist.). See also State v. French, 
72 Ohio St.3d 446, 449
 (1995). “‘A ruling on a

motion in limine reflects the court’s anticipated treatment of an evidentiary issue at

trial and, as such, is a tentative, interlocutory, precautionary ruling.’” 
Id.,
 quoting

French at 450
. “‘The established rule in Ohio is that the grant or denial of a motion

                                         -10-
Case No. 13-25-06


in limine is not a ruling on the evidence.’” 
Id.,
 quoting State v. Thompson, 2005-

Ohio-2053, ¶ 26 (3d Dist.). “‘In deciding such motions, the trial court is at liberty

to change its ruling on the disputed evidence in its actual context at trial.’” 
Id.,

quoting Defiance v. Kretz, 
60 Ohio St.3d 1, 4
 (1991). “Therefore, when a motion

in limine is granted, finality does not attach.” State v. Foster, 
2025-Ohio-2942, ¶ 41
 (3d Dist.)

       {¶24} “In order to preserve for appeal any error in the trial court’s resolution

of a motion in limine, the objecting party must ‘seek the introduction of the evidence

by proffer or otherwise’ at trial ‘to enable the court to make a final determination as

to its admissibility.’” 
Miller at ¶ 9
, quoting State v. Grubb, 
28 Ohio St.3d 199

(1986), paragraph two of the syllabus. “Then, ‘[a]n appellate court will . . . review

the correctness of the trial court’s ruling on the objection rather than the ruling on

the motion in limine.’” 
Id.,
 quoting State v. Wild, 
2010-Ohio-4751
, ¶ 29 (2d Dist.).

       {¶25} Here, prior to the presentation of evidence, the State made an oral

motion in limine to exclude evidence of Iannantuono’s prior intervention in lieu of

conviction for trafficking in cocaine for conduct that occurred in 2018. In particular,

Stackhouse sought to have the clerk of courts testify to authenticate the criminal

case documents. The trial court granted the State’s motion after determining that

the evidence of Iannantuono’s prior drug conduct was over five years old and did

not tend to prove or disprove a material fact in the current case.



                                         -11-
Case No. 13-25-06


       {¶26} At trial, Stackhouse’s counsel proffered the evidence of Iannantuono’s

prior conviction. Although the State argued in its appellate brief that Stackhouse

failed to preserve this issue, it conceded at oral argument that a proper proffer was,

in fact, made. Therefore, the issue is preserved for our review, and we will address

the merits of the trial court’s decision.

       {¶27} On appeal, Stackhouse argues the trial court abused its discretion by

excluding evidence of Iannantuono’s prior drug conduct, which he sought to

introduce as part of his third-party guilt defense strategy.        The Constitution

guarantees every criminal defendant a meaningful opportunity to present a complete

defense. State v. Wesson, 
2013-Ohio-4575, ¶ 59
. “However, ‘[a] defendant’s right

to present relevant evidence is not unlimited, but rather is subject to reasonable

restriction.’” 
Id.,
 quoting United States v. Scheffer, 
523 U.S. 303, 308
 (1998). To

ensure that juries are presented with reliable evidence, the Constitution grants states

broad latitude to create rules that exclude certain evidence from criminal trials. 
Id.

Rules that exclude evidence are constitutionally permissible and do not violate a

defendant’s right to present a defense, provided they serve a legitimate purpose

without being arbitrary or disproportionate to that purpose and do not infringe on a

weighty interest of the accused. 
Id.

       {¶28} “‘“A complete defense’ may include evidence of third-party guilt.’”

State v. Nurein, 
2022-Ohio-1711, ¶ 38
 (3d Dist.), quoting State v. Gillispie, 2009-

Ohio-3640, ¶ 120 (2d Dist.). “But in making such a defense, the accused ‘must

                                            -12-
Case No. 13-25-06


comply with established rules of procedure and evidence designed to assure both

fairness and reliability in the ascertainment of guilt and innocence.’” 
Id.,
 quoting

Chambers v. Mississippi, 
410 U.S. 284, 302
 (1973). “Thus, ‘criminal defendants

do not necessarily have a right to present all evidence of third-party guilt.’”

(Emphasis in original.) 
Id.,
 quoting State v. Jones, 
2018-Ohio-2332
, ¶ 33 (2d Dist.).

Critically, evidence of third-party guilt may be excluded if it is not relevant,

meaning it is too speculative or remote to prove or disprove a material fact at trial

or to sufficiently connect the third party to the crime. Id. at ¶ 39. Evidence offered

to show a third party is guilty is frequently excluded if it is too remote from the

crime or fails to establish a sufficient connection. Id.

       {¶29} In this case, the trial court did not prevent Stackhouse from presenting

a complete defense by excluding the evidence of Iannantuono’s prior criminal case.

Critically, consistent with the rule that evidence of third-party guilt must sufficiently

connect that person to the crime, the trial court properly excluded Iannantuono’s

five-year-old criminal conduct. Indeed, this prior conduct, which resulted in an

intervention in lieu of conviction, was properly excluded because Stackhouse did

not establish a direct link between her prior criminal conduct and the drugs found

in this specific incident. Accord id. at ¶ 42. That is, the evidence of Iannantuono’s

prior criminal conduct is too remote and does not sufficiently connect her to the

crimes at issue in this case.



                                          -13-
Case No. 13-25-06


       {¶30} Moreover, the trial court’s decision did not prevent Stackhouse from

presenting his complete defense because, through his testimony and his trial

counsel’s arguments, Stackhouse was able to assert his defense that Iannantuono

was the person who possessed the drugs at issue in this case. See id. In particular,

Stackhouse was able to support his defense theory with evidence that Iannantuono

owned the vehicle, had a history of drug use requiring court intervention, and

refused to testify at trial. Therefore, we conclude that the trial court’s decision was

a proper exercise of its discretion to exclude remote evidence that did not

sufficiently connect Iannantuono to the crimes at issue in this case.

       {¶31} Stackhouse’s second assignment of error is overruled.

                        Third Assignment of Error

       Because the trial court’s findings to impose consecutive sentences
       were, by clear and convincing evidence, not supported by the
       record, the trial court’s imposition of consecutive sentences was
       not supported by the record.

       {¶32} In his third assignment of error, Stackhouse challenges the trial court’s

decision to impose consecutive sentences. He specifically contends that the record

does not support the trial court’s findings for imposing consecutive sentences.

                                 Standard of Review

       {¶33} Under R.C. 2953.08(G)(2), an appellate court will reverse a sentence

“only if it determines by clear and convincing evidence that the record does not

support the trial court’s findings under relevant statutes or that the sentence is


                                         -14-
Case No. 13-25-06


otherwise contrary to law.”        State v. Marcum, 
2016-Ohio-1002, ¶ 1
.         When

reviewing the imposition of consecutive sentences, “[t]he plain language of R.C.

2953.08(G)(2) requires an appellate court to defer to a trial court’s consecutive-

sentence findings, and the trial court’s findings must be upheld unless those findings

are clearly and convincingly not supported by the record.” State v. Gwynne, 2023-

Ohio-3851, ¶ 5. Clear and convincing evidence is that “‘which will produce in the

mind of the trier of facts a firm belief or conviction as to the facts sought to be

established.’” 
Marcum at ¶ 22
, quoting Cross v. Ledford, 
161 Ohio St. 469
 (1954),

paragraph three of the syllabus.

                                       Analysis

       {¶34} “Except as provided in  division (C) of section 2929.14, . . . a

prison term, jail term, or sentence of imprisonment shall be served concurrently with

any other prison term, jail term, or sentence of imprisonment imposed by a court of

this state, another state, or the United States.” R.C. 2929.41(A). R.C. 2929.14(C)

provides, in its relevant part, that

       the court may require the offender to serve the prison terms
       consecutively if the court finds that the consecutive service is
       necessary to protect the public from future crime or to punish the
       offender and that consecutive sentences are not disproportionate to the
       seriousness of the offender’s conduct and to the danger the offender
       poses to the public, and if the court also finds any of the following:

       (a) The offender committed one or more of the multiple offenses while
       the offender was awaiting trial or sentencing, was under a sanction
       imposed pursuant to section 2929.16, 2929.17, or 2929.18 of the
       Revised Code, or was under post-release control for a prior offense.

                                         -15-
Case No. 13-25-06



       (b) At least two of the multiple offenses were committed as part of
       one or more courses of conduct, and the harm caused by two or more
       of the multiple offenses so committed was so great or unusual that no
       single prison term for any of the offenses committed as part of any of
       the courses of conduct adequately reflects the seriousness of the
       offender’s conduct.

       (c) The offender’s history of criminal conduct demonstrates that
       consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public from future
       crime by the offender.

R.C. 2929.14(C)(4).

       {¶35} R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) requires a trial court to make specific findings on

the record before imposing consecutive sentences. State v. Hites, 
2012-Ohio-1892, ¶ 11
 (3d Dist.); State v. Peddicord, 
2013-Ohio-3398, ¶ 33
 (3d Dist.). Specifically,

the trial court must find: (1) consecutive sentences are necessary to either protect

the public or punish the offender; (2) the sentences would not be disproportionate

to the offense committed; and (3) one of the factors in R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(a), (b),

or (c) applies. Id.; 
Id.

       {¶36} The trial court must state the required findings at the sentencing

hearing prior to imposing consecutive sentences and incorporate those findings into

its sentencing entry. State v. Sharp, 
2014-Ohio-4140, ¶ 50
 (3d Dist.), citing State v.

Bonnell, 
2014-Ohio-3177, ¶ 29
. A trial court “has no obligation to state reasons to

support its findings” and is not “required to give a talismanic incantation of the

words of the statute, provided that the necessary findings can be found in the record

and are incorporated into the sentencing entry.” 
Bonnell at ¶ 37
.

                                        -16-
Case No. 13-25-06


       {¶37} In this case, Stackhouse does not dispute that the trial court made the

required statutory findings before imposing consecutive sentences. Instead, he

argues the findings are not supported by the record. Specifically, he contends that

the sentences are disproportionate to the seriousness of his conduct because there

was no evidence that he was trafficking or using the drugs, only possessing them.

He further argues that the trial court’s finding based on his criminal history—R.C.

2929.14(C)(4)(c)—is not supported by the record because he was never offered

treatment or diversion in his prior cases.

       {¶38} Stackhouse’s arguments are without merit, and the trial court’s

imposition of consecutive sentences is supported by the record. To begin with,

Stackhouse’s claim that the trial court’s imposition of consecutive sentences is

disproportionate to the seriousness of his conduct is unpersuasive. Indeed, the

record reflects he was found with significant, trafficking-level quantities of

contraband—namely, 55.62 grams of methamphetamine, 71.3 grams of cocaine,

and 1.83 grams of a fentanyl-related compound. The sheer volume of these

substances belies the argument that this was a simple possession offense and

supports the trial court’s finding on the seriousness of Stackhouse’s conduct. See

State v. Johnson, 
2024-Ohio-72, ¶ 26
 (8th Dist.).

       {¶39} Furthermore, the trial court’s finding that consecutive sentences are

necessary to protect the public under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(c) is supported by

Stackhouse’s history of criminal conduct. Critically, the presentence investigation

                                         -17-
Case No. 13-25-06


report reflects Stackhouse’s lengthy criminal history, which includes not only

multiple prior convictions for drug possession and trafficking but also offenses of

violence. See State v. Combs, 
2025-Ohio-1702, ¶ 5
 (3d Dist.); State v. Gallant,

2025-Ohio-3182, ¶ 15
 (3d Dist.).

       {¶40} Nevertheless, Stackhouse asserts that his criminal history does not

justify consecutive sentences because he was never offered treatment—that is, he

contends that his previous sanctions were punitive and not rehabilitative.

Stackhouse’s argument is not persuasive. Rather, a trial court’s finding under R.C.

2929.14(C)(4)(c) is based on a defendant’s history of criminal conduct and his or

her failure to respond to past sanctions, not on the type of programming offered

during those sanctions. See State v. Windland, 
2024-Ohio-1760, ¶ 50
 (5th Dist.)

(“A plain reading of R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) reflects a legislative purpose to allow the

trial court to impose consecutive sentences on offenders with a lengthy criminal

history and a high rate of recidivism.”).

       {¶41} In this case, Stackhouse’s own testimony confirmed this pattern of

recidivism. In particular, he testified at trial that he had been on post-release control

and probation multiple times, had violated the terms of his supervision repeatedly,

and was sent to a community-based correctional facility (“CBCF”) in 2023. This

history of repeated failures while under supervision—regardless of their label—is

precisely the evidence that the trial court can use to conclude that consecutive

sentences are necessary to protect the public from future crime. See 
id.
 at ¶ 49-50

                                            -18-
Case No. 13-25-06


(determining that consecutive sentences were supported by the record where the

defendant had a lengthy criminal history spanning most of his adult life and was on

supervision at the time of the new offense, rejecting the argument that a “failure to

rehabilitate” mitigates this history).

       {¶42} Consequently, based on our review of the record, we conclude that the

trial court’s consecutive sentence findings are not clearly and convincingly

unsupported by the record.

       {¶43} Stackhouse’s third assignment of error is overruled.

       {¶44} Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant herein in the

particulars assigned and argued, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

                                                                Judgment Affirmed

MILLER and WILLAMOWSKI, J.J., concur.




                                         -19-
Case No. 13-25-06


                            JUDGMENT ENTRY

       For the reasons stated in the opinion of this Court, the assignments of error

are overruled and it is the judgment and order of this Court that the judgment of the

trial court is affirmed with costs assessed to Appellant for which judgment is hereby

rendered. The cause is hereby remanded to the trial court for execution of the

judgment for costs.

       It is further ordered that the Clerk of this Court certify a copy of this Court’s

judgment entry and opinion to the trial court as the mandate prescribed by App.R.

27; and serve a copy of this Court’s judgment entry and opinion on each party to the

proceedings and note the date of service in the docket. See App.R. 30.




                                            William R. Zimmerman, Judge



                                            Mark C. Miller, Judge



                                            John R. Willamowski, Judge

DATED:
/hls




                                         -20-

/2025/ohio/5464 · .json · Public domain