Lead Opinion
OPINION
¶ 1 Following a jury trial, appellant Luis Ortega was convicted of two counts each of sexual abuse of a minor under fifteen years of age, molestation of a child, and sexual conduct with a minor under fifteen, all dangerous crimes against children under AR. S. § 13-604.01, and two counts of threatening or intimidating. The trial court sentenced him to a total of fifty-seven years in prison. On appeal, Ortega argues the charges in counts four and five, molestation of a child and sexual conduct with a minor under fifteen, arose from a single act, and his convictions on both charges violate the double jeopardy protections of the United States and Arizona Constitutions. He further contends the prosecutor “exerted improper influence” over a victim’s testimony, rendering it unreliable. For the reasons that follow, we vacate Ortega’s conviction and sentence on count four, molestation of a child, but affirm the remaining convictions and the sentences imposed.
Factual and Procedural Background
¶ 2 We view the facts in the light most favorable to sustaining the jury’s verdicts. State v. Miles,
¶ 3 C.Q. next visited her mother in December 2006. On the 22nd or 23rd, Ortega took C.Q. to an abandoned frailer where he forcibly removed her clothes, touched her breasts, back, and legs, and had sexual intercourse with her. She did not tell her mother what had happened because Ortega had told both her and her brother F.Q. that he would either kill their mother or hurt them if they said anything.
¶ 4 On subsequent visits in February and March or April of 2007, Ortega engaged in similar acts with C.Q. and each time he threatened to harm her mother if C.Q. told her what he had done. On April 9, C.Q.’s
¶ 5 A grand jury indicted Ortega on the following charges: sexual abuse of a minor, committed on or about August 20, 2006, through August 25, 2006 (count one); molestation of a child, on or about August 20, 2006 (count two); sexual abuse of a minor under fifteen, on or about December 21, 2006, through December 28, 2006 (count three); molestation of a child, on or about December 21, 2006, through December 28, 2006 (count four); sexual conduct with a minor under fifteen, on or about December 21, 2006, through December 28, 2006 (count five); sexual conduct with a minor under fifteen, on or about February 10, 2007, through February 12, 2007 (count six); sexual conduct with a minor under fifteen, on or about March 20, 2007, through March 22, 2007 (count seven); threatening or intimidating C.Q. (count eight); and threatening or intimidating F.Q. (count nine). Counts one through seven were alleged to be dangerous crimes against children.
¶ 6 During trial the court granted Ortega’s motion for judgment of acquittal pursuant to Rule 20, Ariz. R.Crim. P., only on count seven, and the jury found him guilty of the remaining charges. The court sentenced him to concurrent, enhanced, presumptive prison terms on counts one through four, the longest of which was seventeen years; consecutive, enhanced, presumptive, twenty-year terms on counts five and six; and 180 days in jail for counts eight and nine, with 180 days of presentence incarceration credit. This appeal followed.
Standard of Review
¶ 7 Because Ortega failed to raise at trial either of the issues he raises on appeal, we review only for fundamental error. State v. Henderson,
Discussion
Double Jeopardy
¶ 8 Ortega first argues his convictions and sentences for both molestation of a child and sexual conduct with a minor under the age of fifteen violate his right to be free from double jeopardy. He contends molestation is a lesser included offense of sexual conduct with a minor under fifteen and “the same exact act” was used to prove his guilt on both charges.
¶ 9 The Double Jeopardy Clauses of the United States and Arizona Constitutions protect criminal defendants from multiple convictions and punishments for the same offense. See Brown,
The Test for Determining Same Offenses
¶ 10 Both parties rely on In re Jerry C.,
¶ 11 Division One applied what it described as two separate tests for determining whether an offense is a lesser included offense of another: the “same elements” test promulgated in Blockburger and the “charging documents” test. Id. ¶ 7. Applying the same elements test, the court considered the statutory elements for the two offenses in determining whether one could commit sexual conduct with a minor without also committing molestation of a child. Id. ¶ 9. It concluded that molestation could not be a lesser included offense of sexual conduct under the same elements test because molestation involves only victims under the age of fifteen, whereas sexual conduct can be committed against a victim under the age of eighteen. Id. ¶ 10; see also A.R.S. §§ 13-1405 (sexual conduct), 13-1410 (molestation).
¶ 12 The court next applied the charging document test under which it stated an offense is lesser included if “ ‘the charging document describes the lesser offense even though [it] would not always form a constituent part of the greater offense.’ ” Jerry C.,
¶ 13 However, based on our reading of United States v. Dixon,
1114 However, as the state points out, when a particular offense can be committed in multiple ways, “it is impossible to tell just by looldng at the statute itself which of the [ways] is ... relevant ... for purposes of determining any lesser included offenses. A court would have to look at the charging document to make that determination.” We agree. The same elements test merely prohibits consideration of the underlying facts or conduct. But Blockburger does not preclude consideration of the offense as it has been charged in determining the elements of an offense and whether two offenses are the same.
Arizona’s Sexual Conduct with a Minor Statute
¶ 15 As we noted above, the same elements test requires a comparison of the elements necessary to establish each charged offense for double jeopardy purposes. Dixon,
1116 Section 13-1405, A.R.S., raises this issue. It provides as follows;
Sexual conduct with a minor; classifications
(A) A person commits sexual conduct with a minor by intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with any person who is under eighteen years of age.
*326 (B) Sexual conduct with a minor who is under fifteen years of age is a class 2 felony and is punishable pursuant to [the dangerous crimes against children statute]. Sexual conduct with a minor who is at least fifteen years of age is a class 6 felony. Sexual conduct with a minor who is at least fifteen years of age is a class 2 felony if the person is the minor’s parent, stepparent, adoptive parent, legal guardian or foster parent and the convicted person is not eligible for suspension of sentence, probation, pardon or release from confinement on any basis except as specifically authorized by [statute] until the sentence imposed has been served or commuted.
Under subsection (A), the elements of sexual conduct with a minor are: (1) intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact, defined in a separate statute, (2) with a person who is less than eighteen years of age. See § 13-1401 (defining sexual intercourse and oral sexual contact). And subsection (B) classifies the offense according to factors that give rise to different classes of felonies, and corresponding differences in punishment. See A.R.S. § 13-702(A). We must therefore decide whether the factors in subsection (B) constitute elements of the offense for double jeopardy purposes. See Eagle,
¶ 17 As our supreme court did in Eagle,
“Whoever, possessing a firearm ... takes a motor vehicle ... from the person or presence of another by force and violence or by intimidation, or attempts to do so, shall—
(1) be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both,
(2) if serious bodily injury ... results, be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 25 years, or both, and
(3) if death results, be fined under this title or imprisoned for any number of years up to life, or both.”
Id. at 230,
¶ 18 The Court stated, “Much turns on the determination that a fact is an element of an offense rather than a sentencing consideration, given that elements must be charged in the indictment, submitted to a jury, and proven by the Government beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id. at 232,
¶ 19 Finally, the Court noted that interpreting subsections (2) and (3) as merely sentencing factors would put the constitutionality of the statute in doubt, resolving the issue “in favor of avoiding those questions.” Id. at 251,
¶20 Applying these principles to § 13-1405, we conclude the “under fifteen years of age” factor in § 13-1405(B), which renders the offense a class two felony, is an element of that offense. We note that the specific age of a victim is the type of fact usually treated as an element of a crime. See Jones,
¶21 Thus, because this fact authorizes a “steeply higher penaltfy]” than would be permissible in its absence, we must conclude that § 13-1405 “establish[es] ... separate offenses by the specification of distinct elements, each of which must be charged ..., proven beyond a reasonable doubt, and submitted to a jury for its verdict.”
¶ 22 Our conclusion is in accord with Arizona case law that consistently has distinguished chai’ges of sexual conduct with a minor under the age of fifteen from sexual conduct with a minor under eighteen. See, e.g., State v. Gonzalez,
¶ 23 In State v. Carlisle,
Application of the Same Elements Test
¶ 24 Because Ortega was charged with sexual conduct with a minor under fifteen, we must compare the elements of that offense with the elements of molestation. Molestation of a child is committed by “intentionally or knowingly engaging in or causing a person to engage in sexual contact, except sexual contact with the female breast, with a child under fifteen years of age.” A.R.S. § 13-1410(A). And one commits sexual conduct with a minor under fifteen by intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with any person who is under the age of fifteen. § 13-1405. Sexual contact is defined as “any direct or indirect touching, fondling or manipulating of any part of the genitals, anus or female breast by any part of the body or by any object or causing a person to engage in such contact” and sexual intercourse as “penetration into the penis, vulva or anus by any part of the body or by any object or masturbatory contact with the penis or vulva.” § 13-1401(2), (3).
¶ 25 Both offenses therefore require the same mens rea, and both may only be committed against a victim who is under the age of fifteen. Furthermore, by penetrating the penis, vulva, or anus with a body part or object or by engaging in masturbatory contact with the penis or vulva, one has necessarily also touched, fondled, or manipulated the genitals or anus of that person. Therefore, one cannot commit sexual conduct with a minor under fifteen without also committing molestation of a child. Molestation is a lesser included offense of sexual conduct with a minor under the age of fifteen. Accordingly, Ortega’s conviction of both the greater and the lesser offenses violates the Double Jeopardy Clause, Lemke,
Molestation Charge Based on Same Conduct
¶ 26 The state contends, however, that “there was evidence from which a reasonable juror could conclude [Ortega] had committed molestation by touching C.Q.’s vagina with his hand in December, separate from the molestation inherent in the touching necessary to accomplish penetration. Accordingly, ... the molestation is not a lesser included offense of the sexual conduct with a minor in this case.” See State v. Arnoldi, 176 Ariz.
¶ 27 C.Q.’s testimony, the only evidence relating to the December incident charged in count four, does not establish that Ortega touched her vagina separately from penetration with his penis. C.Q. testified that in December Ortega touched her breasts, back, and legs with his hands, and his penis “went into [her] vagina.” She was asked, “During the times that you were asked on cross-examination [about] December, February, and March/April when the defendant forced you to have sex did he only have sex with you or did he also touch you?” C.Q. responded, “He would also touch me.”
¶ 28 Consequently, there is no evidence from which reasonable jurors could conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that in December, Ortega committed an act that constituted molestation and which was separate from the act that gave rise to the charge of sexual conduct with a minor. See State v. Mathers,
Prosecutorial Misconduct
¶ 29 Ortega asserts that “the coercive tactics employed [by the state] upon ten year old [F.Q.] impermissibly swayed his testimony.” He contends this rendered F.Q.’s testimony unreliable, deprived him of a fair trial, and requires dismissal of count nine, threatening or intimidating. Because Ortega failed to object to this testimony below, we review for fundamental error only. See Henderson,
¶ 30 When F.Q. initially was called to testify, he did not remember many of the details of the events in question or his statements to a police detective. After extensive discussion and argument from counsel, the trial court permitted him to be excused and recalled the following day, so that an interpreter could transcribe his interview with the police detective to help refresh his memory under Rule 612, Ariz. R. Evid., and for potential use as impeachment based on prior inconsistent
¶ 31 F.Q. was recalled the following day. The prosecutor read him excerpts from the transcribed interview and initially he still did not remember what he had told the detective about the alleged instances of sexual contact between Ortega and C.Q. and denied Ortega had threatened to kill his mother if he told anyone what had happened. However, a few minutes into the questioning, F.Q. recalled telling the detective that Ortega had threatened him while he was in Tucson in December.
¶ 32 Ortega contends “[F.Q.’s] testimony was altered by the pervasive questioning on the subject” and was “elicited by the State after considerable coaxing of [F.Q.] to testify in a manner that would lead to [Ortega’s] conviction.” We disagree. The methods the prosecutor used to elicit this testimony were proper under the Rules of Evidence and therefore did not constitute prosecutorial misconduct. See Roque,
¶ 33 When a witness does not remember making a particular statement, Rule 612, Ariz. R. Evid., permits the “use [of] a writing to refresh memory for the purpose of testifying.” If the attempt to refresh the witness’s recollection is unsuccessful, the wilting may then be read into the record, although it may not be separately admitted into evidence. Ariz. R. Evid. 803(5); see also State v. Salazar,
¶ 34 To the extent Ortega is arguing that F.Q.’s testimony was unreliable because it was inconsistent, this was an issue of credibility for the jury to resolve. State v. Lee,
Disposition
¶ 35 For the reasons stated above, we vacate Ortega’s conviction and sentence for count four, molestation of a child. We affirm in all other respects.
Notes
. In his opening brief, Ortega also asserted that count three, sexual abuse of a minor under fifteen, was a lesser included offense of sexual conduct with a minor. However, he has withdrawn that argument in his reply brief.
. In Price we acknowledged that 'Ts]ome Arizona authority suggests consideration of the charging documcnL is appropriate in double jeopardy analysis.”
. Thus, to the extent Jerry C. considered the Blockburger elements test as distinct from the “charging documents lest,” we disagree. However, to the extent Jerry C. merely considered the offense as it was charged to inform its determination of the elements pursuant to Blockburger, we would find no fault wilh that approach. In any event, we reach the same ultimate conclusion as in Jerry C., that molestation of a child is a lesser included offense of sexual conduct with a minor under fifteen.
. Nor does Dixon. In Part III — A of Justice Sca-lia's opinion, which a plurality of the Court joined, he consulted the contents of court orders prohibiting the defendants from engaging in certain acts in order to elucidate die elements of the criminal contempt charges based on those orders and compare them with the elements of their convictions for separate but related offenses.
. In Apprendi v. New Jersey,
The term [sentencing factor] appropriately describes a circumstance, which may be either aggravating or mitigating in character, that supports a specific sentence within the range authorized by the jury’s finding that the defendant is guilty of a particular offense. On the other hand, when the term “sentence enhancement” is used to describe an increase beyond the maximum authorized statutory sentence, it is the functional equivalent of an element of a greater offense than the one covered by the jury’s guilty verdict. Indeed, it fits squarely within the usual definition of an "element" of the offense.
. In this case we are neither presented with nor do we decide whether, under the reasoning of Jones, Apprendi, or their progeny, A.R.S. § 13-702 enhancement factors would constitute elements for the purposes of Blockburger and dou-blejeopardy analysis.
. In Eagle,
. Because we have vacated Ortega's conviction and sentence in count four for molestation of a child, we need not address his alternative argument that A.R.S. § 13-116 requires his sentences in counts four and five to be served concurrently.
. At oral argument, the state contended that C.Q.'s response that Ortega “would also touch” her, referred back to the prosecutor's previous question concerning touching in August that included her breasts and vagina. However, the prosecutor's question does not constitute evidence. And after defense counsel’s objection to the question about August 25 was sustained, the prosecutor’s next question concerned “the limes that defense counsel asked [C.Q.] about on cross-examination in December, February, and ... the March, April time frame.” When the prosecutor attempted to clarify the type of touching C.Q. was referring to, the court sustained another defense objection, and she abandoned that line of questioning.
. We note that although Ortega has documented the specific instances of questioning he contends amount to prosecutorial misconduct, he has failed to cite any authority in support of this argument. See Ariz. R.Crim. P. 31.13(c)(vi).
Concurrence Opinion
specially concurring.
¶ 36 I concur in the results and reasoning of the majority except with respect to the lengthy and, in my view, unnecessary analysis of whether Ortega could be convicted on both counts four and five in this case. Because it is simply not possible for Ortega to have had sexual intercourse with the child, as charged in count five, without also having touched her vagina, as charged in count four, under well-established jurisprudence of our supreme and appellate courts, there is no question the latter was a lesser included offense of the former, for which Ortega could not be separately convicted. See State v. Cheramie,
¶ 37 In all other respects, I concur with the majority.
