MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), FILED
this Memorandum Decision shall not be
regarded as precedent or cited before any Oct 13 2017, 8:53 am
court except for the purpose of establishing CLERK
Indiana Supreme Court
the defense of res judicata, collateral Court of Appeals
and Tax Court
estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Brian A. Karle Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
Ball Eggleston, PC Attorney General of Indiana
Lafayette, Indiana
Ian McLean
Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Rodrigo Castillo Trudillo, October 13, 2017
Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No.
12A04-1704-CR-831
v. Appeal from the Clinton Circuit
Court
State of Indiana, The Honorable Bradley K. Mohler,
Appellee-Plaintiff Judge
Trial Court Cause No.
12C01-1509-F1-803
Baker, Judge.
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[1] Rodrigo Castillo Trudillo appeals the trial court’s order denying his motion to
withdraw his guilty plea. Finding no error, we affirm.
Facts
[2] In 2015, Clinton County law enforcement conducted an investigation during
which police learned that then-ten-year-old A.S. had disclosed that on several
occasions, a man had inserted his finger into her vagina. Police interviewed
Trudillo, A.S.’s mother’s boyfriend, who waived his Miranda1 rights and
admitted to touching A.S.’s vagina with his finger on one occasion.
[3] On September 2, 2015, the State charged Trudillo with Level 1 felony child
molesting. Trudillo hired an attorney and the parties engaged in discovery over
the course of the next year. Among other things, Trudillo retained a Spanish-
language interpreter to review the video recording of his statement to police.
[4] On October 21, 2016, the parties filed a plea agreement under which Trudillo
agreed to plead guilty to two new charges of Level 3 felony child molesting in
exchange for the dismissal of the Level 1 felony charge. The plea agreement
provided that Trudillo’s sentence would be at least ten years in the Department
of Correction and otherwise left the sentence to the trial court’s discretion.
[5] At the October 21, 2016, sentencing hearing, at which Trudillo was provided
with a Spanish interpreter and Spanish language advisements, Trudillo stated
1
Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966).
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that he understood the terms of the plea agreement and assured the trial court
that he had not been promised anything, threatened in any way, or forced into
agreeing to the plea. He further stated that he was not under the influence of
medication or intoxicants and that he did not suffer from a mental illness or
disease that would affect his ability to understand what was occurring. Trudillo
agreed that he understood that, by pleading guilty, he would be waving certain
rights articulated by the trial court.
[6] The trial court explained that if he pleaded guilty to the two new counts of
Level 3 felony child molesting, Trudillo would be admitting that he performed
or submitted to intercourse or other sexual conduct with A.S.; Trudillo agreed
that he understood after confirming that the original Level 1 felony charge
would be dismissed in exchange. Trudillo further acknowledged that he
understood the sentencing range for the two offenses. He told the trial court
that he understood everything, did not want to discuss anything further with
counsel, his decision to plead guilty was his own free and voluntary choice, and
that he understood the translation provided for him.
[7] The trial court then asked Trudillo whether he pleaded guilty or not guilty to
Count II, Level 3 felony child molesting. Trudillo replied, “Yes,” and when the
trial court clarified by asking, “Guilty?” Trudillo said, “Not guilty.” Tr. p. 9.
Trudillo’s counsel asked him if he was pleading guilty or not guilty, and
Trudillo replied in Spanish. The trial court then took a recess so that Trudillo
could consult with his attorney. When the hearing reconvened, the trial court
asked Trudillo if he had been able to consult with his attorney and Trudillo
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replied affirmatively. Trudillo then pleaded “Guilty” to two counts of Level 3
felony child molesting. Id. at 9-10. Trial counsel then recited the allegations of
those two counts; Trudillo stated that he agreed that the summaries were
accurate and admitted that the allegations were true. The trial court found that
a factual basis existed for the guilty plea and set the matter for a sentencing
hearing.
[8] On December 30, 2016, Trudillo moved to withdraw his guilty plea, alleging
that he had been coerced into pleading guilty to “help persuade the victim that
she was not crazy,” that he was not guilty, and that he had come to realize his
error in pleading guilty after talking with his probation officer.2 At a January
31, 2017, hearing on Trudillo’s motion, Trudillo complained that “physical
tests” had not been performed on A.S. and stated that he had pleaded guilty
because:
I was looking for an option. They’re making me pay for a
crime . . . that I didn’t commit. Just because of some suspicions.
Looking for an option. Where they would give me approval to
be able to work maybe. To be keep continuing [sic] to help my
family. And my family that I also have in Mexico.
Id. at 17. Trudillo explained that his claim of coercion referred to the detective
who had arrested and interviewed him; that detective, according to Trudillo,
2
After talking with his probation officer, Trudillo learned that in the Presentence Investigation Report, the
probation officer was recommending an executed sentence of twenty-three years imprisonment. Appellant’s
App. Vol. II p. 92.
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told him that an admission would persuade the victim “that she’s not crazy[.]”
Id. at 19.
[9] The trial court denied the motion, noting that Trudillo had pleaded guilty after
“a year of working with your attorney in reviewing the case and looking at all
options . . . .” Id. at 21. The trial court also observed that the advisements at
the guilty plea hearing were clear and comprehensive and that nothing Trudillo
had stated had changed the trial court’s conclusion that he had knowingly and
voluntarily pleaded guilty. Finally, the trial court emphasized that if it vacated
the guilty plea, the case would have been pending for approximately two years
by the time of trial and that there would be “substantial prejudice both to the
State and an[] additional burden to the victim in this case.” Id. at 22.
[10] At the March 20, 2017, sentencing hearing, A.S.’s mother complained about
the absence of tests on her daughter:
Q: You have mentioned that you would like to speak today
about the sentencing. Um what would you like the Court
to know?
A: My thoughts are um my case (inaudible). Why didn’t they
take um my [daughter] to get checked by a medic.
Q: Okay. We’re just talking about sentencing today. So what
would you like to tell the Court about the punishment or
the sentence?
A: I don’t know.
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Q: Is that all you want to say I mean as far as the sentencing?
The affect [sic] on your child?
A: Yes.
Id. at 28-29. She then sat down and made no further statements at the hearing.
Twelve-year-old A.S. then testified:
State: . . . Do you want to tell the Judge anything [about] how
you think [Trudillo] should be punished?
A.S.: Um um I actually lied. I didn’t want him to be with my
mom.
State: Okay.
A.S.: He actually um been [sic] he moved with us. I lied cause
[sic] he took my father’s spot. And I didn’t want him to.
And then he said . . . that we were gonna move to a
different house. And then I like we moved. I didn’t like
the house. So I lied that he touched me. Which he never
did.
State: And um do you understand that [Trudillo] told the police
that he did it? Why do you so [sic] you think he lied too?
A.S.: Yes. He lied cause I lied to him and I lied to my mom.
***
State: Okay. Have you talked to your mom about coming to
Court today?
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A.S.: Yes.
State: Okay. Did you guys talk about what you were gonna say?
A.S.: Yes.
Id. at 31-32.
[11] Trudillo then renewed his motion to withdraw his guilty plea; the State
objected. Trudillo testified as follows:
Well since the first day the day I got arrested that I was
innocence [sic]. They don’t believe in my innocence. So I’m
here. I accepted the story that was made up. So I can’t
incriminate. I’m not a criminal. I’m gonna pay for a crime that I
didn’t commit. I would ask for my deportation to Mexico.
Id. at 36. Trudillo stated that he could not remember how many times he had
talked with A.S.’s mother on the phone since he had been in jail and that she
visits him at the jail “[w]hen she can.” Id. at 37.
[12] The trial court denied the renewed motion to withdraw the guilty plea, finding
as follows:
Uh we are . . . going forward with sentencing. Court has been
aware of this case both through the criminal case and through the
related CHINS cases for the child that was the victim and the
siblings. Unfortunately throughout those cases uh what we saw
today was . . . also present uh in that we have a child or a victim
who has faced considerable pressure at home from a mother who
wants the defendant home. And whether or not the defendant
has been involved in that pressure or whether it’s all coming from
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the mother I’m not sure. Um but I know that that has been the
pattern for these cases. And so we are going forward with
sentencing.
Id. at 41. After finding and weighing aggravating factors and mitigating
circumstances, the trial court imposed two concurrent twelve-year terms, with
credit for time served. Trudillo now appeals.
Discussion and Decision
[13] Trudillo’s sole argument on appeal is that the trial court erred by denying his
motion to withdraw his guilty plea. After a guilty plea is entered but before
sentence is imposed, a defendant may move to withdraw his guilty plea for any
fair and just reason unless the State has been substantially prejudiced by
reliance upon the plea.3 Ind. Code § 35-35-1-4(b). The trial court shall grant the
motion to withdraw if the defendant proves, by a preponderance of the
evidence, that it is necessary to correct a manifest injustice. Id. Absent such a
showing, the decision to grant or deny the motion rests soundly in the
discretion of the trial court. Id.
[14] As a general matter, we will not second-guess a trial court’s evaluation of the
facts and circumstances because the trial court “is in a better position to weigh
evidence, assess the credibility of witnesses, and draw inferences.” Moshenek v.
3
Trudillo does not contest the trial court’s conclusion that the State was substantially prejudiced by reliance
upon the plea because of the lengthy passage of time since the offenses were committed.
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State, 868 N.E.2d 419, 424 (Ind. 2007). A trial court’s ruling on a motion to
withdraw a guilty plea arrives in this Court with a presumption in favor of the
ruling. Brightman v. State, 758 N.E.2d 41, 44 (Ind. 2001).
[15] First, we must examine the record of the guilty plea hearing to determine if
Trudillo’s plea was knowing and voluntary. Id. Here, Trudillo was clearly
advised by the trial court of his rights and the information required by Indiana
Code section 35-35-1-2. The trial court went step by step through the charges,
their penalty ranges, the rights Trudillo would give up by pleading guilty, and
the fact that Trudillo was of sound mind. The trial court also determined that
Trudillo’s plea was free from threats, coercion, or promises of leniency. At
each step, Trudillo assured the trial court that he understood his rights, the
effect of his plea, and the sentencing ranges he faced if he pleaded guilty, and
that his questions and concerns had been fully addressed by his attorney.
[16] Trudillo attempts to avoid the effect of this lengthy discussion with the trial
court by emphasizing that at one point he answered “Not guilty” when asked
how he pleaded to Count II. Tr. p. 8-9. The record shows, however, that
before Trudillo gave this answer, he was apprehensive about pleading guilty to
two charges with liability on one charge remaining. After the trial court said
that Count I would be dismissed after the trial court accepted the guilty plea,
Trudillo responded “Okay,” but was apparently not satisfied, because when the
trial court asked how Trudillo pleaded to Count II, Trudillo first replied “Yes,”
and then, “Not guilty.” Id. After a recess during which counsel addressed
Trudillo’s concerns, the hearing resumed and he pleaded guilty to Counts II
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and III unequivocally and without hesitation, admitting to the allegations of
both counts. Under these circumstances, we do not find that the trial court
erred by concluding that his momentary apprehension causing him to say “Not
guilty” renders his plea unknowing or involuntary.
[17] Trudillo contends that withdrawal of the plea is necessary to correct a manifest
injustice, and the crux of this argument is A.S.’s testimony at the sentencing
hearing. He argues that because she recanted at that hearing, he should be
permitted to withdraw his guilty plea because holding him to his own sworn
testimony would be a manifest injustice.
[18] The trial court, which had the opportunity to interact with and observe
Trudillo, A.S., and A.S.’s mother, both during this criminal proceeding and
during a related Child in Need of Services proceeding, found that A.S. had been
pressured by her mother, and possibly also by Trudillo, to change her story:
Court has been aware of this case both through the criminal case
and through the related CHINS cases for the child that was the
victim and the siblings. Unfortunately throughout those cases uh
what we saw today was . . . also present uh in that we have a
child or a victim who has faced considerable pressure at home
from a mother who wants the defendant home. And whether or
not the defendant has been involved in that pressure or whether
it’s all coming from the mother I’m not sure. Um but I know
that that has been the pattern for these cases.
Tr. p. 41. We will not second-guess the trial court’s evaluation of the situation,
especially in light of the testimony at that hearing by A.S.’s mother, who
showed no concern whatsoever regarding her daughter’s well-being.
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[19] Additionally, we note that Trudillo’s confession to law enforcement precisely
mirrored the allegations made by A.S. and that he had a year to study the
recording of his confession and examine the State’s discovery. Trudillo,
however, did not file a motion to suppress or claim he was coerced into making
that confession until months after his guilty plea hearing—after he learned his
probation officer was recommending an executed sentence of twenty-three
years imprisonment. Under these circumstances, we find no error in the trial
court’s conclusion that Trudillo failed to prove a manifest injustice by a
preponderance of the evidence or in its denial of his motion to withdraw his
guilty plea.
[20] The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Bailey, J., and Altice, J., concur.
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