392 P.3d 990
Utah Ct. App.2017Background
- Bilek pleaded no contest to second-degree kidnapping; sentence of 1–15 years was suspended and he was placed on 60 months probation with special conditions (no alcohol/nonprescribed drugs; no female overnight stays without AP&P approval).
- About 40 days into probation, AP&P agents found a woman (E.C.) in Bilek’s hotel room; she admitted staying overnight, and drugs, paraphernalia, and photos/videos of E.C. unconscious or naked were discovered.
- AP&P filed an amended violation report alleging multiple probation violations: overnight female stay, possession/distribution of heroin and methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia, forcible sexual abuse, and voyeurism by concealed electronic equipment, among others.
- At the combined probation-revocation evidentiary hearing and preliminary hearing on new charges, agents and E.C. testified; drug testing confirmed heroin/methamphetamine, and photos/videos depicted an incoherent or unconscious naked woman on top of naked Bilek.
- The district court found by a preponderance of the evidence that Bilek willfully violated the probation conditions (all alleged violations), revoked probation, and imposed the original 1–15 year prison sentence.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether probation revocation was supported by sufficient evidence | State: evidence showed multiple willful violations supporting revocation | Bilek: some allegations (voyeurism) insufficient; challenges certain findings | Court: affirmed revocation; sufficient evidence of multiple violations justified sentence |
| Whether voyeurism conviction required a “concealed or disguised” device | State: not necessary to resolve because other violations suffice | Bilek: phone photos/videos were taken openly, so voyeurism element not met | Court: declined to resolve voyeurism claim as unnecessary to outcome |
| Whether the no-overnight-female special condition was waived/dropped | State: condition remained and was signed; violation proved | Bilek: asserted condition had been dropped and should be waived | Court: record shows Bilek agreed to condition; violation proven |
| Whether a single remaining valid violation would suffice or remand required (Legg issue) | Bilek: if one violation is invalid, remand needed if unsure remaining would cause revocation | State: multiple independent violations supported revocation | Court: unlike Legg, multiple unchallenged violations supported revocation; no remand required |
Key Cases Cited
- State v. Legg, 324 P.3d 656 (Utah Ct. App. 2014) (single valid probation violation may be insufficient to affirm revocation if court not confident it alone would have produced revocation)
- State v. Maestas, 997 P.2d 314 (Utah Ct. App. 2000) (on appeal, evidence of probation violation is viewed in the light most favorable to trial court findings)
