State of Iowa v. Donnell E. Thomas

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA

No. 23-0530
Filed June 5, 2024

STATE OF IOWA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,

vs.

DONNELL E. THOMAS,
Defendant-Appellant.
________________________________________________________________

Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Plymouth County, Steven J.

Andreasen, Judge.

Donnell Thomas appeals his convictions for possession of a firearm by a

felon, operating while intoxicated, and possession of marijuana. CONVICTIONS

AFFIRMED; SENTENCES VACATED AND REMANDED FOR RESENTENCING.

Martha J. Lucey, State Appellate Defender, and Ella M. Newell, Assistant

Appellate Defender, for appellant.

Brenna Bird, Attorney General, and Joshua A. Duden, Assistant Attorney

General, for appellee.

Considered by Bower, C.J., and Greer and Chicchelly, JJ.
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BOWER, Chief Judge.

Donnelle Thomas appeals, claiming his right to a speedy trial was violated.

He further alleges there was insufficient evidence to find him guilty of possession

of a firearm by a felon and possession of marijuana. Finally, he claims the district

court considered an impermissible factor during sentencing and failed to state

sufficient reasons from imposing consecutive sentences. We find Thomas’s claims

of a speedy trial violation and insufficient evidence to be without merit. However,

both parties agree the sentencing procedure was flawed, and this case should be

remanded for resentencing. We, therefore, affirm Thomas’s convictions, vacate

the sentencing order, and remand for resentencing.

I. Background Facts and Proceedings

On March 24, 2022, Thomas went on a road trip to Minnesota from Omaha,

Nebraska. He was accompanied by his friend, his friend’s girlfriend, and her sister.

During the drive, marijuana was smoked in the vehicle. At some point, Thomas

agreed to drive the sister back to Sioux City, Iowa, and the pair stopped at a hotel.

Before going to bed, Thomas bought a large bottle of wine and proceeded to drink

the entirety of it himself. Thomas finished the bottle around 2:30 or 3:00 a.m. on

March 25, 2022.

About five hours later, between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m., Thomas and the sister

resumed their drive to Sioux City. The pair drove for over three hours before

arriving in LeMars, Iowa. After stopping at a red light, Thomas put the car in park

and fell asleep.

Off-duty deputy Pat Heissel noticed Thomas’s van parked halfway up onto

the curb and halfway into the lane of traffic. Deputy Heissel pulled up behind the
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vehicle and approached the driver’s side window. He saw Thomas and a female

passenger appeared to be sleeping. Deputy Heissel called the non-emergency

number and tapped on the window of the van to get the attention of the driver.

Once Thomas awoke, he informed Deputy Heissel he was going to Sioux City, and

he had been driving for some time. Meanwile, LeMars police officer Jacob

Bergman arrived. Thomas told Officer Bergman he was tired and was attempting

to pull off the road to sleep.

While speaking with Thomas, Officer Bergman believed Thomas was

intoxicated based on Thomas’s “red and bloodshot and watery” eyes and the odor

of alcohol emanating from him. Thomas admitted he drank a bottle of wine the

night before. Officer Bergman conducted field sobriety tests to determine whether

Thomas was operating while intoxicated. Thomas failed each of the three standard

field sobriety tests and was arrested and transported to the Plymouth County Jail

where he provided a breath test resulting in a blood alcohol concentration of 0.110.

Following his arrest, officers inventoried Thomas’s car prior to it being impounded.

During the search of Thomas’s car, officers discovered a loaded .44 caliber

magnum handgun, marijuana, and “the remnant ‘roaches’ of marijuana ‘joints’”

inside the van. The smell of burnt marijuana was also prevalent in the car.

According to the police, the loaded handgun was located under the driver’s seat,

where it would have been easily accessible to the driver, observable from where it

was in the car, and was easily identifiable even before picking it up. A substance

found in a plastic bag in the front center console tested positive for marijuana. The

bag containing alleged “roaches” was not tested.
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Thomas initially acknowledged the gun belonged to him, but he later

testified it belonged to a friend and he was unaware it was in the vehicle. Thomas

admitted he smoked marijuana prior to being stopped but testified he did not

believe there was any marijuana in his vehicle since leaving Minnesota.

Thomas was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon; possession

of ammunition by a felon; operating while intoxicated—first offense; and

possession of marijuana—first offense. Counts one and two were enhanced as

Thomas was a habitual offender under Iowa Code section 902.8 (2022). In

June 2022, Thomas failed to appear for a pretrial hearing and a warrant was

issued. In August, the warrant was recalled when Thomas appeared for a bond

forfeiture hearing. On September 19, 2022, Thomas filed two motions to dismiss,

claiming his right to a speedy trial was violated. Both motions were denied. The

State dismissed count II, possession of ammunition by a felon. After a three-day

jury trial, Thomas was convicted of all counts. Thomas was sentenced to an

indeterminate fifteen-year suspended prison term on count I, and sixty days, all but

ten days suspended, in jail on counts III and IV, set to run consecutively.

Additionally, Thomas was fined $1250 with a fifteen percent surcharge for count III

and $430 with a fifteen percent surcharge for count IV. The court suspended the

fine for count I. Thomas appeals.

II. Speedy Trial

Thomas claims his right to a speedy trial was violated. We review Thomas’s

claim the district court erred in denying his motion to dismiss on speedy trial

grounds for an abuse of discretion. State v. Winters, 690 N.W.2d 903, 907 (Iowa

2005). “When speedy trial grounds are at issue, however, the discretion given to
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the district court narrows.” Id. “Statutes and rules implementing the right to a

speedy trial receive a liberal construction, designed to effectuate their purpose of

protecting citizens’ liberty.” State v. Taylor, 881 N.W.2d 72, 76 (Iowa 2016)

(internal marks and citation omitted).

A defendant “must be brought to trial within [ninety] days after indictment is

found or the court must order the indictment be dismissed unless good cause on

the contrary is shown.” Iowa R. Crim. P. 2.33(2)(b). The case must be dismissed

unless at least one of three things has occurred: (1) the defendant has waived his

right to a speedy trial; (2) the delay is attributable to the defendant; or (3) there is

good cause for the delay. See, e.g., State v. Hamilton, 309 N.W.2d 471, 475 (Iowa

1981) (addressing waiver of delay); State v. Peterson, 288 N.W.2d 332, 335 (Iowa

1980) (holding the State established good cause for delay); State v. Ege, 274

N.W.2d 350, 354–55 (Iowa 1979) (finding delay attributable to the defendant).

Thomas asserts the State failed to prove one of the three exceptions to his

speedy trial right applied and therefore his convictions should be vacated and

remanded to the district court for dismissal.

The State counters good cause existed for the delay as Thomas left Iowa,

returned to Nebraska after pleading not guilty, and then failed to appear in court.

The district court determined good cause existed for the delay, referencing the

COVID-19 pandemic and “abnormal and persistent scheduling issues from priority

criminal cases.” The court also noted “Mr. Thomas has not been in custody since

posting bond shortly after [the] trial information was filed or shortly after his arrest

and prior to that initial 90-day deadline with the recall of the prior warrant. He has

remained out of custody throughout that entire time.” The court further noted
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“[t]here is nothing in the record to suggest that Mr. Thomas’s ability to present a

defense based upon staleness of evidence or otherwise has been affected.” We

further observe the court discussed Thomas’s failure to appear, as it implicated his

speedy trial claim, at the pretrial conference as follows:

It is this Court’s belief and conclusion that the fact that this matter
was set for trial within the 90 days and that Mr. Thomas failed to
appear for a pretrial conference in which he was ordered to
personally appear and a warrant was issued for his arrest constitutes
good cause under rule 2.33 for his case not to be tried within 90 days
after the filing of the trial information.

We find no abuse of the court’s discretion in finding there to be good cause

for the delay. We affirm the district court’s ruling.

III. Sufficiency of the Evidence

Thomas challenges the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his

convictions for possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of marijuana.

We review sufficiency-of-the-evidence claims for correction of errors at law. State

v. Kelso-Christy, 911 N.W.2d 663, 666 (Iowa 2018). Our review is “highly

deferential to the jury’s verdict. The jury’s verdict binds th[e] court if the verdict is

supported by substantial evidence.” State v. Mong, 988 N.W.2d 305, 312 (Iowa

2023) (quoting State v. Jones, 967 N.W.2d 336, 339 (Iowa 2021)). Substantial

evidence exists when the evidence “would convince a rational fact finder the

defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” State v. Meyers, 799 N.W.2d 132,

138 (Iowa 2011). “We view the evidence in the light most favorable to the State

and make all reasonable inferences that may fairly be drawn from the evidence.”

State v. Hickman, 623 N.W.2d 847, 849 (Iowa 2001). This includes all “legitimate
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inferences and presumptions that may fairly and reasonably be deduced from the

record evidence.” State v. Booker, 989 N.W.2d 621, 626 (Iowa 2023).

To convict Thomas of possession of a firearm by a felon, the State must

prove beyond a reasonable doubt Thomas “knowingly had a firearm in his

possession or under his dominion and control.” To convict Thomas of possession

of marijuana, the State had to prove beyond a reasonable doubt he “knowingly or

intentionally possessed marijuana, a controlled substance.” For both offenses, the

State had to provide evidence of actual or constructive possession. The State

relied on a theory of constructive possession for both issues.

Actual possession is when the contraband is “found on the defendant’s

person.” State v. Jones, 967 N.W.2d 336, 341 (Iowa 2021). “A person who has

direct physical control of something on or around [his][her] person is in actual

possession of it.” State v. Maghee, 573 N.W.2d 1, 10 (Iowa 1997). Constructive

possession is when the defendant has knowledge of and the authority to control

the contraband. State v. Reed, 875 N.W.2d 693, 706 (Iowa 2016); see State v.

McMullen, 940 N.W.2d 456, 462 (Iowa 2019). Constructive possession is often

proved by inferences “based on the location of the contraband and other

circumstances.” State v. Thomas, 847 N.W.2d at 443 (citing State v. Vance, 790

N.W.2d 775, 784 (Iowa 2010)). But more than mere proximity to the contraband

is required to show dominion over it. Reed, 875 N.W.2d 693, 705–06. When the

defendant does not exclusively possess the place where the contraband is found,

more evidence of possession is needed. State v. Kern, 831 N.W.2d 149, 161 (Iowa

2013).
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Courts will consider several nonexclusive factors when determining whether

the defendant possessed the contraband, including any incriminating statements

or actions made by the defendant, any fingerprints recovered, and any other

circumstances linking the defendant to the illegal items. Id. at 161. Additionally,

in motor vehicle cases, courts may also consider factors like plain view, the

contraband’s proximity to the defendant’s personal effects, the location of the

contraband, ownership of the vehicle, and any other suspicious activity on the

defendant’s part. State v. Gore, No. 21-1692, 2023 WL 152559, at *2–3 (Iowa Ct.

App. Jan. 11, 2023) (quoting State v. Kemp, 688 N.W.2d 785, 789 (Iowa 2004)).

“Even if some of these facts are present, we are still required to determine whether

all of the facts and circumstances . . . allow a reasonable inference that the

defendant knew of the drugs’ presence and had control and dominion over the

contraband.” Id.

Thomas argues there is insufficient evidence to prove he knowingly

possessed a firearm or marijuana. Thomas claims he did not have knowledge of

the firearm’s presence in his vehicle. Thomas also argues there was no testimony

regarding whether the marijuana was found with his personal effects or if his

passenger had any of her belongings in the front center console. He asserts there

was insufficient evidence to show he had possession of a firearm and marijuana

and his conviction should therefore be overturned.

The State counters by offering up his incriminating statements and evidence

of the location of the contraband. Thomas told Officer Bergman that “the gun in

the vehicle belong[ed] to him,” and “he [had] several other weapons, other guns

just the same as th[e] one found in his car.” The State reasons Thomas’s
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statements allowed the jury to fairly infer he exercised dominion over the firearm.

Regarding the marijuana, the State claims the drugs were discovered in the center

console within Thomas’s reach while driving and Thomas testified he knew there

was marijuana in the car, despite claiming he had not used marijuana in years.

From this, a jury could reasonably infer the illegal drugs belonged exclusively to

Thomas.

We also conclude there was sufficient evidence to support Thomas’s

convictions in both regards. Thomas admitted to the officers there was a gun in

the vehicle in initial interviews. The marijuana and gun were found in a van

belonging exclusively to Thomas. He had knowledge both items had been in his

van when he first began his trip. All items were found in areas Thomas would have

had direct access to at all times during the trip. Accordingly, we affirm.

IV. Sentencing Discretion

Thomas argues the district court relied on an improper factor—credit for

time served for parole eligibility—when issuing his sentence. He claims the district

court arrived at its sentence to minimize the extent of the credit given to him should

his probation be revoked. We review challenges to a sentence for correction of

errors at law. State v. Formaro, 638 N.W.2d 720, 724 (Iowa 2002).

“A sentence will not be upset on appellate review unless the defendant

demonstrates an abuse of trial court discretion or a defect in the sentencing

procedure such as the trial court’s consideration of impermissible factors.” State

v. Witham, 583 N.W.2d 677, 678 (Iowa 1998). When suspending a sentence,

however, courts consider a multitude of factors not limited to a defendant’s age,

criminal history, employment, family circumstances, mental-health and substance-
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use history, the nature of the offense, and “[s]uch other factors as are appropriate.”

Iowa Code § 907.5. A court is tasked with providing a sentence for “maximum

opportunity for the rehabilitation of the defendant, and for the protection of the

community from further offenses by the defendant and others.” See id. § 901.5.

At sentencing, the district court stated:

[A]lso in regard to the consecutive nature of these sentences, part of
that is based upon the fact that the sentence under Count 1 is being
suspended. The Court believes that it is appropriate in this case given that
Mr. Thomas’s prior record that if he is unsuccessful on probation and if the
probation were to be revoked in the future and that prison term imposed,
that having these counts run consecutive so that it would minimize the
extent of credit given to Mr. Thomas would be appropriate.

Thomas reasons this statement by the court demonstrated that it considered how

much time he served when imposing his sentence and fashioned a sentence to

increase the amount of time he would spend in prison.

Thomas alleges the district court further abused its discretion by failing to

explain why it imposed a consecutive sentence beyond the mere fact there were

“separate and distinct crimes.” Trial courts must state on the record their reasoning

for imposing a particular sentence. Iowa R. Crim. P. 2.23(3)(d). Further, the court

must provide specific reasoning for why it chose to impose consecutive sentences

as opposed to concurrent sentences. State v. Hill, 878 N.W.2d 269, 275 (Iowa

2016). Thomas contends the court failed to illuminate its specific reasons for why

the consecutive sentences were warranted.

The State concedes the district court referenced credit for time served for

parole eligibility when imposing Thomas’s sentence. It admits this qualifies as an

improper factor for consideration by the district court. Therefore, we need not
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address the merits of Thomas’s claim relating to consecutive sentences; we vacate

the sentences and remand for resentencing.

CONVICTIONS AFFIRMED; SENTENCES VACATED AND REMANDED

FOR RESENTENCING.