Summary
In State v. Vaughn (June 27, 1997), Ashtabula App. No. 96-A-0063, unreported, 1997 WL 402366, two officers responded to two anonymous emergency calls reporting drug dealing in an area known for a large amount of drug trafficking.
Summary of this case from State v. LeeOpinion
No. 01C01-9605-CR-00219.
June 26, 1997.
Sumner County, Honorable Jane W. Wheatcraft, Judge.
FOR THE APPELLANT:
DAVID SIMPSON.
FOR THE APPELLEE:
JOHN KNOX WALKUP, Attorney General Reporter, JANIS L. TURNER, Counsel for the State, LAWRENCE RAY WHITLEY, District Attorney General, MICHAEL HIGGINBOTHAM.
OPINION
The defendant, Robert Allen Vaughn, pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary, a Class D felony. On January 2, 1996, the trial court accepted the state's recommendation and sentenced the defendant to concurrent eight-year sentences as a Range III offender. The trial judge ordered the defendant to serve his sentence in the Department of Correction. In this appeal, the defendant challenges the trial court's denial of probation.
The defendant was originally indicted on five counts. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the state dismissed the three remaining counts.
A defendant with a sentence of eight years or less is eligible for probation. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-303(a) (Supp. 1996). One who is convicted of a Class E, D, or C felony is presumed to be a favorable candidate for alternative sentencing options. § 40-35-102(6). The presumption may, however, be rebutted by the facts and circumstances of the case. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-102(6) (Supp. 1996); § 40-35-103(1) (1990); State v. Hartley, 818 S.W.2d 370, 373 (Tenn.Crim.App. 1991).
This record contains more than ample justification to deny probation. The defendant has been convicted of at least six prior felonies for similar crimes. In addition, his record discloses numerous convictions for misdemeanors. During his twenty-three years of criminal activity, he has been on probation at least twice. He admits to using illegal drugs while on bond. These facts clearly support the trial judge's finding that the public needs to be protected from this defendant's continuing criminal behavior. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-103(1) (A) (1990).
Therefore, based upon a thorough reading of the record, the briefs of the parties, and the law governing the issue presented for review, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed pursuant to Rule 20, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals.
__________________________ CURWOOD WITT, Judge
______________________________ GARY R. WADE, Judge
______________________________ DAVID H. WELLES, Judge