330 P.3d 1120
Kan. Ct. App.2014Background
- George Riolo pled guilty in Kansas to aggravated indecent liberties with a child and two counts of aggravated indecent solicitation of a child; plea documents noted the persistent sex offender "double rule" might apply.
- The State sought application of K.S.A. 21-4704(j) (persistent sex offender) based on Riolo’s 1986 Colorado conviction for sexual assault on a child.
- Riolo moved to exclude the Colorado conviction, arguing the Colorado statute (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-405 (1986)) is not comparable to Kansas sexually violent offenses (K.S.A. 22-3717), so the doubling rule should not apply.
- At sentencing the district court reviewed the statutes, found the Colorado statute substantially similar to Kansas indecent liberties with a child, denied Riolo’s motion, and applied the double-rule, producing a controlling 172-month term.
- On appeal the Kansas Court of Appeals reviewed statutory interpretation de novo and considered whether an out-of-state conviction qualifies as a "comparable felony" for the persistent sex offender definition.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether Riolo's 1986 Colorado conviction is a "comparable felony" to Kansas indecent liberties, thus triggering the persistent sex offender doubling rule | Riolo: Colorado sexual-assault-on-a-child statute is materially different (different language: "sexual contact" vs Kansas "lewd fondling/touching"; Colorado includes touching for "abuse") and therefore not comparable | State: Colorado statute criminalizes sexual touching of a child analogous to Kansas indecent liberties; the statutes are similar in nature and prohibit the same conduct | The court held the Colorado offense is comparable to Kansas indecent liberties; the persistent sex offender rule applies |
Key Cases Cited
- State v. Dale, 293 Kan. 660, 267 P.3d 743 (Kan. 2011) (standard of review for statutory interpretation)
- State v. Barajas, 43 Kan. App. 2d 639, 230 P.3d 784 (Kan. App. 2010) (out-of-state offense need not have identical elements to be comparable)
- State v. Chesbro, 35 Kan. App. 2d 662, 134 P.3d 1 (Kan. App. 2006) (comparing Nebraska sexual-assault statute to Kansas sexually violent offense)
- State v. Ta, 296 Kan. 230, 290 P.3d 652 (Kan. 2012) (defining "lewd fondling or touching" for indecent liberties)
- United States v. De La Cruz-Garcia, 590 F.3d 1157 (10th Cir. 2010) (construing Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-405 as criminalizing sexual abuse of a minor)