State v. Gasser

[Cite as State v. Gasser, 2016-Ohio-7538.]

STATE OF OHIO ) IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
)ss: NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COUNTY OF MEDINA )

STATE OF OHIO C.A. No. 15CA0046-M

Appellee

v. APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT
ENTERED IN THE
SCOTT GASSER COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
COUNTY OF MEDINA, OHIO
Appellant CASE No. 14CR0376

DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY

Dated: October 31, 2016

MOORE, Judge.

{¶1} Defendant-Appellant Scott M. Gasser appeals from the judgment of the Medina

County Court of Common Pleas. This Court affirms.

I.

{¶2} Based upon Mr. Gasser’s behavior during a traffic stop and following his arrest,

Mr. Gasser was indicted in June 2014, on one count of tampering with evidence in violation of

R.C. 2921.12(A)(1), a felony of the third degree. Mr. Gasser filed a motion to suppress asserting

that the traffic stop was a pretext and challenging the scope and duration of the traffic stop. The

trial court denied the motion following a hearing. The matter proceeded to a jury trial. The jury

found Mr. Gasser guilty, and the trial court sentenced him to 18 months in prison. Mr. Gasser

has appealed, raising four assignments of error for our review, which will be addressed out of

sequence to facilitate our analysis.
 2

II.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR IV

THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED REVERS[I]BLE ERROR WHEN IT
OVERRULED [MR. GASSER’S] MOTION TO SUPPRESS.

{¶3} Mr. Gasser argues in his fourth assignment of error that the trial court erred in

denying his motion to suppress. Specifically, he asserts that the canine sniff of the vehicle was

outside the permissible scope of the stop.

Appellate review of a motion to suppress presents a mixed question of law and
fact. When considering a motion to suppress, the trial court assumes the role of
trier of fact and is therefore in the best position to resolve factual questions and
evaluate the credibility of witnesses. Consequently, an appellate court must
accept the trial court’s findings of fact if they are supported by competent,
credible evidence. Accepting these facts as true, the appellate court must then
independently determine, without deference to the conclusion of the trial court,
whether the facts satisfy the applicable legal standard.

(Internal citations omitted.) State v. Burnside, 100 Ohio St.3d 152, 2003-Ohio-5372, ¶ 8.

{¶4} On appeal, Mr. Gasser appears to assert that the decision of Rodriguez v. United

States, __ U.S. __, 135 S.Ct. 1609 (2015), stands for the proposition that a canine sniff of a

vehicle is outside the permissible scope of a traffic stop initiated solely for a minor traffic

violation. He does not challenge the validity of the stop itself.

{¶5} We read nothing in Rodriguez that supports Mr. Gasser’s contention. See State v.

Jackson, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 14CA010555, 2015-Ohio-2473, ¶ 29 (“[W]e view Rodriguez not

as a departure from precedent, but merely as an illustrative example of the type of [canine] sniff

test that unjustifiably prolongs a traffic stop.”). Instead, Rodriguez reaffirmed the validity of the

holding of Illinois v. Caballes, 543 U.S. 405 (2005). See Rodriguez at 1612. “In * * * Caballes

* * * [the Supreme] Court held that a canine sniff conducted during a lawful traffic stop does not

violate the Fourth Amendment’s proscription of unreasonable seizures.” Rodriguez at 1612; see
 3

also State v. Norvet, 9th Dist. Medina No. 14CA0114-M, 2016-Ohio-3494, ¶ 7 (reaffirming that

“reasonable suspicion of drug-related activity is not necessary for an officer to request that a

drug dog be brought to the scene of a traffic stop and perform a sniff of a detained vehicle when

the vehicle is being otherwise lawfully detained at the time[]”). “A seizure justified only by a

police-observed traffic violation, therefore, ‘become[s] unlawful if it is prolonged beyond the

time reasonably required to complete th[e] mission’ of issuing a ticket for the violation.”

Rodriguez at 1612, quoting Caballes at 407; see also Norvet at ¶ 6 (“[W]hen detaining a motorist

for a traffic violation, an officer may delay the motorist for a time period sufficient to issue a

ticket or a warning. This measure includes the period of time sufficient to run a computer check

on the driver’s license, registration, and vehicle plates.”) (Internal quotations and citations

omitted.). “In determining if an officer completed these tasks within a reasonable length of time,

the court must evaluate the duration of the stop in light of the totality of the circumstances and

consider whether the officer diligently conducted the investigation.” (Internal quotations and

citations omitted.) Norvet at ¶ 6.

{¶6} At the suppression hearing, Deputy David King of the Medina County Sheriff’s

Office testified that he was in the patrol division and also a canine handler at the time of the stop.

At the time, Deputy King and his canine partner were certified through the Summit County

Sheriff’s Office.

{¶7} Deputy King testified that on May 30, 2014, while he was on duty, he received

information that Mr. Gasser was possibly in a green Ford Taurus going to Cleveland to buy

heroin. Deputy King was also provided with the license plate number of the vehicle. Around

11:00 p.m., Deputy King was in his patrol car with his canine partner observing traffic on 1-71

southbound near the 211 mile marker when he noticed a green Taurus pass him. The vehicle
 4

contained several occupants. Deputy King pulled out and followed the vehicle and noted that the

plate number matched the plate number he was given. The vehicle exited onto the ramp for State

Route 224 westbound, and as it was doing so, Deputy King observed the front and rear passenger

tires go completely over the fog line. Deputy King testified that such was a violation of Ohio

traffic laws. Deputy King continued to follow the vehicle a short distance until another officer

could get behind Deputy King’s vehicle given the number of occupants in the Taurus.

Thereafter, Deputy King turned on his overhead lights and initiated a traffic stop.

{¶8} Deputy King approached the driver’s side, told the driver that he had observed her

drive over the fog line and requested her license and proof of insurance. She was only able to

supply her license. Mr. Gasser was seated in the backseat behind the driver. Deputy King also

asked the passengers for identification; all of the three passengers except for Mr. Gasser

complied.

{¶9} Deputy King then gave the drivers’ licenses to another deputy who had arrived on

the scene and asked that deputy to run the information through the computers. Deputy King then

retrieved his canine partner from his car and walked the dog around the vehicle. The dog alerted

to the rear driver’s side door, near where Mr. Gasser had been seated.

{¶10} Deputy King estimated that less than five minutes passed between the time he

pulled the vehicle over and the time he began the canine sniff, which he estimated took

approximately one minute. At that point, the other officer had not been able to complete the

computer searches and a ticket or warning had not been issued. Deputy King testified that, based

upon his training and experience, a traffic stop involving four occupants could not be completed

in less than five minutes.
 5

{¶11} Given the foregoing, and in light of Mr. Gasser’s limited argument on appeal, we

conclude that the trial court did not err in concluding that the canine sniff was permitted. At the

time of the sniff, the purpose of the stop had not been effectuated, and, thus, the vehicle was still

being lawfully detained for the traffic infraction. See Rodriguez, __ U.S. __, 135 S.Ct. at 1612;

see also Norvet, 2016-Ohio-3494, ¶ 18. The canine sniff did not prolong the duration of the

traffic stop. See Rodriguez at 1612; Norvet at ¶ 18.

{¶12} Mr. Gasser’s fourth assignment of error is overruled.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I

THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED REVERSIBLE AND PLAIN ERROR
WHEN IT FOUND MR. GASSER GUILTY OF TAMPERING WITH
EVIDENCE BECAUSE THE EVIDENCE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT
SUCH FINDINGS.

{¶13} Mr. Gasser argues in his first assignment of error that his conviction is based upon

insufficient evidence. As Mr. Gasser has argued his assignments of error concerning sufficiency

and weight together in his brief, it is somewhat difficult at times to discern which arguments he

believes concern weight and which he believes concern sufficiency. See App.R. 16(A)(7);

App.R. 12(A)(2).

{¶14} The issue of whether a conviction is supported by sufficient evidence is a question

of law, which we review de novo. State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 386 (1997).

An appellate court’s function when reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence to
support a criminal conviction is to examine the evidence admitted at trial to
determine whether such evidence, if believed, would convince the average mind
of the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The relevant inquiry is
whether, after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution,
any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime
proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259 (1991), paragraph two of the syllabus.
 6

{¶15} R.C. 2921.12(A)(1) states that “[n]o person, knowing that an official proceeding

or investigation is in progress, or is about to be or likely to be instituted, shall do any of the

following: (1) Alter, destroy, conceal, or remove any record, document, or thing, with purpose

to impair its value or availability as evidence in such proceeding or investigation[.]” “[A]

conviction for tampering with evidence pursuant to R.C. 2921.12(A)(1) requires proof that the

defendant intended to impair the value or availability of evidence that related to an existing or

likely official investigation or proceeding. Likelihood is measured at the time of the act of

alleged tampering.” State v. Straley, 139 Ohio St.3d 339, 2014-Ohio-2139, ¶ 19. “A person acts

purposely when it is his specific intention to cause a certain result, or, when the gist of the

offense is a prohibition against conduct of a certain nature, regardless of what the offender

intends to accomplish thereby, it is his specific intention to engage in conduct of that nature.”

Former R.C. 2901.22(A). “A person acts knowingly, regardless of his purpose, when he is aware

that his conduct will probably cause a certain result or will probably be of a certain nature. A

person has knowledge of circumstances when he is aware that such circumstances probably

exist.” Former R.C. 2901.22(B). “[I]t is not necessary for the State to set forth direct evidence

of a tampering with evidence offense. Circumstantial evidence may suffice.” (Internal

quotations and citations omitted.) State v. Glunt, 9th Dist. Medina No. 13CA0050-M, 2014-

Ohio-3533, ¶ 8,

{¶16} At around 9:00 p.m. on May 30, 2014, Agent John Stayrook with the Medina

County Drug Task Force received information from an informant that Mr. Gasser would be

going to, and coming back from, Cleveland that day. The informant also provided the make and

model of the car as well as the license plate number. Agent Stayrook supplied that information

to other law enforcement agencies in the area.
 7

{¶17} Colin Wojdacz, a longtime friend of Mr. Gasser, and at the time of trial, a

recovering heroin addict, testified that on May 30, 2014, he, Mr. Gasser, and two other people

went to Cleveland to buy heroin. Mr. Gasser conducted the transaction from the car. While Mr.

Wojdacz could not remember how much they spent on heroin, he agreed that it sounded right

that he told police that he put in his share of $60. Mr. Wojdacz acknowledged that $60 would

not buy much heroin and $100 would probably buy about half of a gram. Mr. Wojdacz testified

that the four of them snorted the heroin in the car but he was unsure whether any was left over.

{¶18} After receiving the information from Agent Stayrook, Deputy King went out with

his canine partner to patrol southbound I-71 traffic from a median strip dividing the northbound

and southbound lanes of travel. Deputy King indicated that his marked patrol car was not hidden

from view or concealed. He testified that his canine partner was trained to detect the odor of

marijuana, heroin, ecstasy, cocaine, and methamphetamine.

{¶19} At around 11:00 p.m., Deputy King observed a vehicle matching the description

drive by. As it passed him, he pulled out and followed it. He discovered that the license plate

matched the one that was relayed to him. As the vehicle was exiting the highway, he saw the

front and rear passenger side tires cross the fog lines. He also observed a lot of movement from

the rear passengers in the vehicle. He became concerned that the passengers could have been

reaching for a weapon or trying to conceal something. Deputy King stated that, based on his

training and experience, it appeared to him that the occupants knew he was behind them. Deputy

King did not notice anyone in the vehicle discard anything out the window.

{¶20} Mr. Wojdacz testified that the occupants of the vehicle saw the police car sitting

in the median strip and noticed when the car pulled behind them. Mr. Wojdacz testified that he
 8

and Mr. Gasser were “kind of laughing” when they saw the police car pull behind them; Mr.

Wojdacz then clarified that at least he was laughing.

{¶21} A little over a mile or so from the exit, Deputy King initiated a traffic stop. There

were four people in the vehicle; the driver, a female, and three males. Mr. Gasser was seated in

rear seat on the driver’s side of the vehicle. Mr. Wojdacz was seated next to Mr. Gasser. Upon

interacting with police, Mr. Gasser volunteered that he had just been picked up from work. He

also told officers that he had been at work all day which he claimed was evidenced by the mulch

all over his clothes. Deputy King testified that he did not observe any mulch on Mr. Gasser’s

clothes or shoes.

{¶22} While another deputy ran the occupants’ information, Deputy King walked his

canine partner around the vehicle. The dog alerted on the rear driver’s side door, near where Mr.

Gasser was seated. The occupants were asked to exit the vehicle and the passengers were patted

down.1 No contraband was found. Deputy King testified that narcotics are not always found in

vehicle searches after a dog alerts. The drugs could be concealed on a person, hidden in a

compartment in the vehicle, or the alert could have resulted from a drug, such as marijuana,

being smoked in the car days before. The occupants of the vehicle were then transported to the

Medina County Jail.

{¶23} Agent Michael Barnhardt with Medina County Drug Task Force assisted Agent

Stayrook with interviewing the occupants of the vehicle. Prior to interviewing Mr. Gasser, the

agents spoke with the other occupants. Agent Stayrook testified at trial that Mr. Wojdacz never

told him that the occupants used the heroin in the car. Mr. Gasser stated that the agents did not

have anything on him, they did not find anything on him, and he did not know why he was there.

1
The driver was not patted down as no female officer was present on the scene.
 9

Agent Barnhardt testified that Agent Stayrook told Mr. Gasser they had spoken with the other

occupants and they indicated that Mr. Gasser “did go up to Cleveland to buy heroin and that [the

heroin was] on his person[.]” To which Mr. Gasser responded, “that was bullsh*t and he had

nothing on him.” Mr. Gasser further indicated that the occupants would not have accused him of

having narcotics with him.

{¶24} The agents then advised Mr. Gasser that he was possibly looking at a possession

charge if he did have drugs on his person. Mr. Gasser indicated he did not have any. He then

told the agents that when Deputy King was pulling him over, he threw “it” out the window. Mr.

Wojdacz also testified that he told police that Mr. Gasser threw “it” out the window.

{¶25} The agents then advised Mr. Gasser that they were going to get a search warrant

for an x-ray because they believed he still had drugs on his person. The interview was

terminated and Agent Stayrook and Deputy King searched the area of the traffic stop for at least

two hours and did not find any narcotics.

{¶26} A warrant was obtained and Mr. Gasser was transported to the local hospital.

Deputy Scott Donato with the Medina County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to transport Mr.

Gasser from the jail to the emergency room of the hospital for a court-ordered examination.

Deputy Donato was the primary officer guarding Mr. Gasser while he was at the hospital. He

was accompanied by Agent Stayrook. According to Deputy Donato, Mr. Gasser was “very

vocal” about not having an examination and was very uncooperative with the medical staff. Mr.

Gasser stated that he already “flushed it[,]” but would not specify what it was he flushed.

Deputy Donato indicated that the jail cell where Mr. Gasser was held prior to being taken to the

hospital did not have plumbing.
 10

{¶27} Agent Stayrook confirmed that Mr. Gasser was very adamant about not having an

x-ray and used “pretty strong language[.]” Agent Stayrook testified that Mr. Gasser was very

uncooperative when the nurse was trying to take his blood pressure and that Mr. Gasser tried to

bite a nurse when she was putting the thermometer in his mouth. The medical staff was

ultimately unable to execute the search warrant and x-ray Mr. Gasser.

{¶28} Mr. Gasser was taken back to the jail and placed in a holding cell with a toilet and

a sink. When Agent Stayrook arrived back at the jail, Mr. Gasser was screaming that he “flushed

it three times[.]” Later, as the other three occupants were released from the jail, Agent Stayrook

overheard Mr. Gasser yelling to them, screaming profanities, thanking them for snitching on

him, and telling them that he would get even with them when he got out.

{¶29} Viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the State, we conclude that

sufficient evidence was presented from which a jury could reasonably conclude that Mr. Gasser

tampered with evidence. Mr. Wojdacz testified that Mr. Gasser had bought heroin that evening

and that the four of them had used it in the car. However, Mr. Wojdacz did not know whether

any heroin remained after they snorted it. Notably, the drug dog alerted on the vehicle near

where Mr. Gasser was seated providing additional evidence that drugs of some kind were in the

car at some point in time. Mr. Gasser’s later behavior at the hospital, which led to hospital staff

not executing the search warrant, could allow a trier of fact to infer that some drugs remained on

his person that he did not want the authorities to find.

{¶30} Certainly at the point in time that Mr. Gasser was taken to the jail the first time

and informed that officers were seeking a search warrant of his person because they believed he

still had drugs on his person, there was evidence from which a jury could reasonably conclude

that Mr. Gasser knew an official investigation involving drugs was in progress. See R.C.
 11

2921.12(A)(1); Straley, 139 Ohio St.3d 339, 2014-Ohio-2139, at ¶ 19. As noted above, when

Mr. Gasser was taken to the hospital to undergo an x-ray to determine whether he was in fact

secreting drugs on his person, he adamantly refused to have the x-ray and became very

uncooperative, even resorting to attempting to bite the nursing staff. Such behavior provides

evidence from which a trier of fact could reasonably infer both that Mr. Gasser’s purpose was to

conceal evidence and that there was evidence on his person to conceal. See R.C. 2921.12(A)(1).

Finally, Mr. Gasser himself told police, after he was placed in a holding cell with a toilet and

sink upon returning from the hospital without being x-rayed, that he “flushed it three times[.]”

From that evidence a trier of fact could infer that Mr. Gasser did in fact remove evidence in order

to impair the availability of that evidence for use in an official investigation. See R.C.

2921.12(A)(1). The fact that some of Mr. Gasser’s other statements about his disposal of

evidence were unlikely to be true or were contradicted by statements made by police does not

mean that the State failed to present sufficient evidence to sustain a conviction for tampering

with evidence; instead such would go to issues of credibility and weight. See State v. Violett, 9th

Dist. Medina No. 11CA0106-M, 2012-Ohio-2685, ¶ 7. Viewing the evidence in a light most

favorable to the prosecution, we conclude that there was sufficient evidence to sustain a guilty

verdict for tampering with evidence.

{¶31} In light of Mr. Gasser’s limited argument on appeal, his first assignment of error

is overruled.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II

MR. GASSER’S CONVICTION FOR RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY IS
AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.
 12

{¶32} Mr. Gasser argues in his second assignment of error that his conviction is against

the weight of the evidence.2

{¶33} When a defendant asserts that his conviction is against the manifest weight of the

evidence:

an appellate court must review 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.

State v. Otten, 33 Ohio App.3d 339, 340 (9th Dist.1986).

{¶34} Mr. Gasser points out that many of his statements concerning the disposal of

evidence were unlikely to be true. He notes that even though there was evidence that he told

police he threw drugs out the window before the traffic stop, no drugs were found along the

roadside, nor did Deputy King observe him toss anything out of the window. Additionally, he

points out that the first time he told police that he flushed the drugs he did not have access to

plumbing facilities. Finally, he argues that his statement that he “flushed it three times[]” does

not make any sense as he was in a holding cell “in the presence of law enforcement.” We note

that the jury could have nonetheless reasonably believed that Mr. Gasser disposed of evidence.

For example, the jury could have concluded that, given Mr. Gasser had access to plumbing

facilities in his second cell, he could have disposed of the drugs notwithstanding “the presence of

law enforcement.” We remain mindful that “[t]he jury was able to observe the witnesses’

demeanor during [] testimony and use these observations to weigh the credibility and resolve the

2
While his assignment of error mistakenly lists receiving stolen property as the crime at
issue, the text of the argument focuses on the crime at issue, tampering with evidence.
 13

conflicts in the testimony.” State v. Andrews, 9th Dist. Summit No. 25114, 2010-Ohio-6126, ¶

28. Moreover, as we have stated numerous times, the “[t]he trier of fact is free to believe all,

part, or none of the testimony of each witness.” (Internal quotations and citation omitted.) State

v. Parker, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 15CA010750, 2016-Ohio-5663, ¶ 23. Thus, the jury was free to

disbelieve Mr. Gasser’s statements to police that it found incredible while at the same giving

weight to those statements that it found credible. Aside from Mr. Gasser’s statements, the jury

was confronted with evidence of Mr. Gasser’s behavior at the hospital, which, as discussed in the

sufficiency analysis, could also provide some evidence in support of a tampering conviction.

Having thoroughly reviewed the entire record, weighed the evidence, and considered credibility

issues, we cannot say that the jury committed a manifest miscarriage of justice in finding Mr.

Gasser guilty of tampering with evidence, nor is this the exceptional case requiring reversal. See

Otten at 340.

{¶35} Mr. Gasser’s second assignment of error is overruled.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR III

THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED REVERSIBLE AND PLAIN ERROR BY
ALLOWING THE STATE TO PRESENT IRRELEVANT AND PREJUDICIAL
EVIDENCE DURING THE TRIAL.

{¶36} Mr. Gasser argues in his third assignment of error that the trial court erred and

committed plain error in allowing the State to present irrelevant and prejudicial testimony at trial.

{¶37} “The trial court has broad discretion in the admission or exclusion of relevant

evidence.” State v. Rafferty, 9th Dist. Summit No. 26724, 2015-Ohio-1629, ¶ 104. “In order to

find an abuse of discretion, we must determine that the trial court’s decision was unreasonable,

arbitrary or unconscionable.” Id., citing Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219 (1983).
 14

{¶38} Evid.R. 402 limits the admission of evidence to relevant evidence. Evid.R. 401

defines “[r]elevant evidence” as “evidence having any tendency to make the existence of any fact

that is of consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less probable than it

would be without the evidence.”

{¶39} Evid.R. 403 provides:

(A) Exclusion mandatory. Although relevant, evidence is not admissible if its
probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, of
confusion of the issues, or of misleading the jury.

(B) Exclusion discretionary. Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its
probative value is substantially outweighed by considerations of undue delay, or
needless presentation of cumulative evidence.

{¶40} Specifically, Mr. Gasser challenges the admission of the testimony of Agent

Stayrook about “methods of concealment, descriptions of heroin, and the amount able to be

purchased with sixty dollars[.]” During this line of questioning, Mr. Gasser’s trial counsel only

objected to two questions:

[Prosecutor:] Okay have you had experience in any of those capacities you’ve
described, in any of those positions you’ve had in drug investigations where
you’ve encountered people that have secreted narcotics first I’m going to say in
their pants?

[Agent Stayrook:] Yes.

[Prosecutor:] Is that common?

[Agent Stayrook:] Yes

[Defense counsel]: Objection.

[Trial court]: Overruled.

The second objection occurred later in the line of inquiry:

[Prosecutor:] Okay. * * * [I]f you can, show me with your hands how much
would a gram of heroin be.

[Defense counsel:] Objection.
 15

[Trial court:] Basis?

[Defense counsel:] This has no relevance. There’s been no testimony to the
amount of heroin that was purchased, that there was even an amount of heroin
purchased so this is all just speculation.

[Trial court:] Overruled.

{¶41} The prosecution then asked Agent Stayrook how big a gram of heroin would be as

compared to common objects. Agent Stayrook indicated that it would be a little smaller than a

BB.

{¶42} With respect to these two questions, we cannot say that the trial court abused its

discretion in admitting this testimony. This testimony occurred at the end of trial, after the jury

had already heard about Mr. Gasser’s behavior at the hospital and had heard that Mr. Gasser

claimed to have flushed drugs while he was in a cell with a toilet and a sink. Mr. Wojdacz had

also already testified and acknowledged that it seemed correct that he told the police that he put

in his share of $60 to buy heroin, that $60 would not buy much heroin, and that $100 would

probably buy half a gram. In addition, defense counsel had also elicited testimony from Mr.

Wojdacz that one gram of heroin was probably the most he ever had used at once. Agent

Stayrook’s testimony would thus support the State’s theory of the case that Mr. Gasser secreted

heroin because the testimony tended to demonstrate that it was possible to do so and that doing

so was within the realm of Agent Stayrook’s experience. In other words, if there was evidence

that Mr. Gasser possessed an amount of heroin that was so great such that it could not be

physically hidden on his person, the State’s theory of the case would not be supportable.

{¶43} To the extent Mr. Gasser asserts that even if the testimony was relevant, it was

inadmissible because it was confusing and unfairly prejudicial, we see no merit in that

contention. Mr. Gasser’s argument appears to be that this testimony was the State’s way of

attempting to improperly establish the existence of, and amount of, heroin. However, Mr.
 16

Wojdacz himself testified, without defense objection, about the existence of heroin and that $60

would not buy much heroin. Further, Mr. Gasser’s behavior at the hospital could allow a trier of

fact to reasonably infer that some heroin remained. Accordingly, in light of his limited

argument, Mr. Gasser has not demonstrated that Agent Stayrook’s testimony was confusing or

unfairly prejudicial.

{¶44} Nonetheless, even if the testimony was inadmissible, we cannot say that the

admission of the testimony affected Mr. Gasser’s substantial rights. See Evid.R. 103(A)(1);

Crim.R. 52(A) (“Any error, defect, irregularity, or variance which does not affect substantial

rights shall be disregarded.”); State v. McKelton, Slip Opinion No. 2016-Ohio-5735, ¶ 184.

Given the entirety of the other admitted evidence, any error in admitting this testimony was

harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. See Crim.R. 52(A); McKelton at ¶ 184.

{¶45} While Mr. Gasser maintains that he objected to the entire line of questioning,

there is nothing in the record that supports that contention. Accordingly, the remainder of his

argument will be reviewed for plain error. Pursuant to Crim.R. 52(B), “[p]lain errors or defects

affecting substantial rights may be noticed although they were not brought to the attention of the

court.” “[T]he accused bears the burden of proof to demonstrate plain error on the record * * *

and must show an error, i.e., a deviation from a legal rule that constitutes an obvious defect in the

trial proceedings[.]” State v. Jackson, 9th Dist. Summit No. 27479, 2015-Ohio-5096, ¶ 51,

quoting State v. Rogers, 143 Ohio St.3d 385, 2015-Ohio-2459, ¶ 22. “However, even if the error

is obvious, it must have affected substantial rights, and [w]e have interpreted this aspect of the

rule to mean that the trial court’s error must have affected the outcome of the trial.” Jackson at ¶

51, quoting Rogers at ¶ 22. “The accused is therefore required to demonstrate a reasonable

probability that the error resulted in prejudice * * *.” Jackson at ¶ 51, quoting Rogers at ¶ 22.
 17

{¶46} Agent Stayrook additionally testified, without objection, that he had handled

investigations where suspects have secreted narcotics on their person and that $60 or $100 was

not going to buy a whole lot of heroin. Moreover, Agent Stayrook provided a description of

what heroin typically looks like.

{¶47} For reasons previously articulated above, we likewise cannot say that admission

of the other challenged portions of Agent Stayrook’s testimony amounted to plain error. Mr.

Gasser has not demonstrated that the testimony was inadmissible, and thus has not demonstrated

error, let alone plain, or obvious error. See Jackson at ¶ 51, quoting Rogers at ¶ 22. We also fail

to see how admission of the foregoing testimony affected Mr. Gasser’s substantial rights in light

of the other testimony admitted at trial. See Crim.R. 52(B).

{¶48} Mr. Gasser’s third assignment of error is overruled.

III.

{¶49} Mr. Gasser’s assignments of error are overruled. The judgment of the Medina

County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.

Judgment affirmed.

There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.

We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common

Pleas, County of Medina, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy

of this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.

Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of

judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the

period for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(C). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is
 18

instructed to mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the

mailing in the docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.

Costs taxed to Appellant.

CARLA MOORE
FOR THE COURT

CARR, P. J.
SCHAFER, J.
CONCUR.

APPEARANCES:

JEREMY SAMUELS, Attorney at Law, for Appellant.

DEAN HOLMAN, Prosecuting Attorney, and MATTHEW A. KERN, Assistant Prosecuting
Attorney, for Appellee.