X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Rickman, Judge.Following a bench trial, Richard Allen Reid was convicted on one count of criminal attempt to commit child molestation and two counts of computer pornography. On appeal, Reid contends that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction for criminal attempt to commit child molestation and that the evidence established the affirmative defense of entrapment. For the following reasons, we affirm.On appeal from a criminal conviction, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to support the jury’s verdict, and the defendant no longer enjoys a presumption of innocence. We do not weigh the evidence or judge the credibility of the witnesses, but determine only whether the evidence authorized the jury to find the defendant guilty of the crimes beyond a reasonable doubt in accordance with the standard set forth in Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U. S. 307 (99 SCt 2781, 61 LE2d 560) (1979).(Citation and punctuation omitted.) Hall v. State, 335 Ga. App. 895 (783 SE2d 400) (2016).So viewed, the evidence showed that in the summer of 2015, an investigator with the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office placed an ad on Craig’s List stating that he was a female and was “home alone bored.” Reid responded to the ad, “I am very much interested in hanging out. I’m a lot of fun to be around but will let you be the judge of that if you’re interested. Hit me up and let’s see what kind of fun we can get into.” When the investigator replied that she was 15-years-old, Reid stated, “[o]h wow, but you’re only 15 though.”The investigator sent a photograph purporting to be a photograph of the 15-year-old girl, but it was actually a photograph of a female deputy at the sheriff’s office, and Reid sent a photograph of himself. After communicating through Craig’s List, Reid and the investigator, posing as the 15-year-old girl, began exchanging text messages. The investigator testified that Reid “constantly ask[ed] for nude photos of the child” and stated that he was a “horny old man.” Reid sent text messages to the investigator stating that the child was a “very attractive young lady” and that he was “really a lot older than [her],” Reid asked the investigator what kind of “fun” she liked and he replied, “I lik all kinds and mayb even new stuff.” Reid responded, “[d]on’t tease me girl[.]” Reid expressed concern to the investigator about being discovered by law enforcement and told him to “ get rid of” all of their conversations so that a parent did not discover them.Reid and the investigator arranged to meet at a gas station. Prior to their meeting, Reid requested more revealing photos that showed more skin so that he would have something to look forward to. The investigator testified that Reid stated, “[w]e can still play and get all worked up and be ready to have fun when I do make it up there” and that he wanted to “see [her] naked before I see you Friday, that’d also prove that you’re serious.” Reid confirmed that the investigator would be alone when he met with the child after work and stated that he was “pretty excited” about meeting with her. After they met, Reid planned to go back to the child’s house.Once Reid indicated that he was close to the arranged meeting location, the investigator began surveillance. The investigator observed a male in a Jeep pull into a parking space toward the end of the parking lot. The male sat in his vehicle for several minutes without exiting before backing up and attempting to leave the location. Thereafter, the investigator conducted a traffic stop and identified the male as Reid. The investigator testified that Reid initially stated that “he was just simply riding around” but then admitted “that he was coming to meet a female that he knew was underage.”Reid was indicted for one count of criminal attempt to commit child molestation and two counts of computer pornography. Reid entered a guilty plea to all counts of the indictment but subsequently successfully moved to withdrawal the guilty plea. Following a bench trial, Reid was convicted on all counts. Reid filed a timely motion for new trial, which was denied by the trial court. This appeal follows.1. Reid contends that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction for criminal attempt to commit child molestation. Specifically, Reid argues that he never took a substantial step towards committing child molestation or, alternatively, that he abandoned any attempt to commit to child molestation. We disagree.“A person commits the offense of criminal attempt when, with intent to commit a specific crime, he performs any act which constitutes a substantial step toward the commission of that crime.” OCGA § 16-4-1. To establish that Reid attempted to commit child molestation, the State was required to prove that he took a substantial step toward doing “any immoral or indecent act to or in the presence of or with any child under the age of 16 years with the intent to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of either the child or the person.” OCGA § 16-6-4 (a) (1). “[W]hether a particular act is “immoral or indecent” is a [question for the factfinder] that may be determined in conjunction with the intent that drives the act.” Slack v. State, 265 Ga. App. 306, 307 (1) (593 SE2d 664) (2004).The communications between Reid and the alleged child need not describe the particular sexual acts that he intended to engage in with the child to establish intent because “intent, which is a mental attitude, can be inferred.” (Citation and punctuation omitted.) Schlesselman v. State, 332 Ga. App. 453, 455 (1) (773 SE2d 413) (2015). “And whether a defendant possessed the necessary intent is a question of fact for the [factfinder] after considering all the circumstances surrounding the acts of which the accused is charged.” (Citation and punctuation omitted.) Id.Here, Reid communicated with someone he believed to be a 15-year-old girl. Reid asked the alleged child repeatedly for nude photographs, told her that he was a horny and dirty old man, and asked her not to “tease” him when she told him that she would like to try new things. Prior to Reid’s arranged meeting with the alleged child, he told her they could “play and get all worked up and be ready to have fun” before meeting, that he wanted to see her naked to prove that she was serious, and that he was “pretty excited” about meeting her. This was enough evidence for the trial court to determine that, with the intent toward doing an immoral or indecent act with a 15-year-old girl, Reid took a substantial step toward committing child molestation by arranging to meet the child, and traveling to the meeting place. See Schlesselman, 332 Ga. App. at 455 (1) (affirming defendant’s conviction for attempted child molestation where the defendant arranged to pay for a night of “companionship” with a 14-year-old girl and drove to the meeting location); Lopez v. State, 326 Ga. App. 770, 774 (1) (b) (757 SE2d 436) (2014) (“We have held that a conviction of attempted child molestation is authorized where the evidence shows that the defendant communicated with an adult whom the defendant believed to be a child under sixteen years old and took substantial steps to meet with that person to engage in sexual activity that would constitute child molestation.”).Alternatively, Reid argues that he abandoned any criminal purpose when he left the arranged meeting place without exiting his vehicle. “When a person’s conduct would otherwise constitute an attempt to commit a crime under Code Section 164-1, it is an affirmative defense that he abandoned his effort to commit the crime or in any other manner prevented its commission under circumstances manifesting a voluntary and complete renunciation of his criminal purpose.” OCGA § 16-4-5 (a). “[W]hen a defendant raises and testifies in support of an affirmative defense, the State has the burden of disproving that defense beyond a reasonable doubt.” (Citation, punctuation, and footnote omitted.) Muse v. State, 323 Ga. App. 779, 782 (1) (748 SE2d 136) (2013).Here, Reid did not testify and he argued that he never had any “intent to do the things that were specifically listed in the State’s indictment, and that was criminal attempt to commit child molestation.” However, he still alleges that evidence presented at trial showed he abandoned any criminal purpose. The evidence established that, prior to the arranged meeting, Reid expressed concern that he would be discovered by law enforcement or the child’s parents, and that Reid was under law enforcement surveillance the entire time he was at the gas station. After Reid was apprehended, he never explained to the investigator why he left the gas station or expressed a change of heart. “It was for the [factfinder] to determine whether the State met any burden to disprove an affirmative defense of abandonment—a determination which the [factfinder] made in the State’s favor.” (Footnote omitted.) Muse, 323 Ga. App. at 783 (1). Accordingly, we find that the trial court’s determination that the State met any burden to disprove the affirmative defense of abandonment was supported by the evidence. See id.; Bentley v. State, 261 Ga. 229, 230 (2) (404 SE2d 101) (1991).2. Reid contends that the evidence established the affirmative defense of entrapment, and that he was entrapped to commit computer pornography.“Entrapment is an affirmative defense that is established by showing that (1) the idea for the crime originated with the State agent; (2) the defendant was induced by the agent’s undue persuasion, incitement, or deceit; and (3) the defendant was not predisposed to commit the crime.” Logan v. State, 309 Ga. App. 95, 97 (1) (a) (709 SE2d 302) (2011).As a general rule, in order to raise the defense of entrapment, the defendant must first admit the commission of the crime and then show that he did so because of the unlawful solicitation or inducement of a law enforcement officer. The rationale for this rule is that it is thought to be factually inconsistent and confusing for a defendant to deny that he committed a criminal act and simultaneously to complain that he was entrapped into its commission. But, if a reasonable inference of entrapment may be drawn by a rational jury from the State’s evidence, the defendant is entitled to a jury charge on entrapment unless he has presented evidence of entrapment inconsistent with his denial of the commission of the crime.(Citation and punctuation omitted). Id. “If the defendant establishes a prima facie case of entrapment, the burden is then upon the State to disprove entrapment beyond a reasonable doubt. The determination of whether the defendant was entrapped is for the [factfinder] unless the uncontroverted evidence demands a finding of entrapment.” Id. at 97-98 (1) (a).As noted in Division 1, Reid did not testify or present any other evidence admitting that he committed the charged crimes. The evidence showed that after the alleged child revealed that she was 15 years old, Reid continued to communicate with her and never reported her to Craig’s List,[1] he repeatedly asked her for naked pictures, and he expressed excitement after arranging to meet her in person. Additionally, Reid was concerned that he would be discovered by law enforcement or the alleged child’s parents. Accordingly, the evidence supports the trial court’s conclusion that entrapment did not occur. See Logan, 309 Ga. App. at 98 (1) (a) (finding that the evidence supported jury’s conclusion that there was no entrapment where the defendant did not testify, continued communicating with the child on Craig’s List, and initiated the sexual conversation).Judgment affirmed. Markle, J., concurs, and McFadden, P. J., concurs in part to Division 2 and dissents in part to Division 1.**DIVISION 1 OF THIS OPINION IS PHYSICAL PRECEDENT ONLY. COURT OF APPEALS RULE 33.2(a).”In the Court of Appeals of Georgia

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
June 20, 2024
Atlanta, GA

The Daily Report is honoring those attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession.


Learn More
April 18, 2024
New York, NY

Join the industry's top owners, investors, developers, brokers & financiers at THE MULTIFAMILY EVENT OF THE YEAR!


Learn More
April 25, 2024
Dubai

Law firms & in-house legal departments with a presence in the middle east celebrate outstanding achievement within the profession.


Learn More

Atlanta s John Marshall Law School is seeking to hire one or more full-time, visiting Legal WritingInstructors to teach Legal Research, Anal...


Apply Now ›

Lower Manhattan firm seeks a premises liability litigator (i.e., depositions, SJ motions, and/or trials) with at least 3-6 years of experien...


Apply Now ›

Join the Mendocino County District Attorney s Office and work in Mendocino County home to redwoods, vineyards and picturesque coastline. ...


Apply Now ›
04/15/2024
Connecticut Law Tribune

MELICK & PORTER, LLP PROMOTES CONNECTICUT PARTNERS HOLLY ROGERS, STEVEN BANKS, and ALEXANDER AHRENS


View Announcement ›
04/11/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
04/08/2024
Daily Report

Daily Report 1/2 Page Professional Announcement 60 Days


View Announcement ›