People v. Rolih

• Decision Date: 04 September 1992
• Docket Number: No. 3-91-0762,3-91-0762
• Citation: 599 N.E.2d 194,233 Ill.App.3d 484
• Parties: , 174 Ill.Dec. 648 The PEOPLE of the State of Illinois, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. John ROLIH, Defendant-Appellant.
• Court: United States Appellate Court of Illinois

Page 194

599 N.E.2d 194

233 Ill.App.3d 484, 174 Ill.Dec. 648

The PEOPLE of the State of Illinois, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. John ROLIH, Defendant-Appellant.

No. 3-91-0762.

Appellate Court of Illinois Third District.

Sept. 4, 1992.

Michael Kalland (argued), Law Offices of Josette Skelnik, Elgin, Gerald Kielian, Joliet, for John Rolih.

John X. Breslin, Deputy Director, State's Attys. Appellate Prosecutor, Ottawa, Edward Burmila, Jr., Will County State's Atty., Joliet, Lawrence Michael Kaschak (argued), State's Attys. Appellate Prosecutor, Ottawa, for People.

Justice GORMAN delivered the opinion of the court:

Defendant John Rolih was indicted for the offenses of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Both counts charged that on or about March 8, 1989, defendant possessed more than 15 but less than 100 grams of a substance containing cocaine.

After a bench trial, defendant was found guilty of the offense of possession with intent to deliver cocaine and the offense of possession of cocaine. He was convicted and sentenced on both counts. On appeal, he alleges that plea-related statements were used against him and that it was error to enter convictions and sentences on both counts. We affirm as to possession with intent to deliver cocaine and vacate as to the offense of possession of cocaine.

At trial, Mark Stevens, an agent with the Division of Criminal Investigation of the Illinois State Police, testified that on March 8, 1989, at 1:30 p.m. pursuant to a search warrant, he searched defendant's residence. Stevens testified that the police seized an envelope containing two plastic bags of white powder, a vial containing white powder, $490 in currency, and a wallet containing $100 from defendant's trousers. From defendant's coat, they seized a vial containing white powder and a checkbook with $110 currency in it. From under a mattress, they seized a plastic bag containing white powder. Stevens stated that all of the bags except the bag found under the mattress tested positive for cocaine. The agents also seized a rolled-up one dollar bill and identification showing that defendant lived at the residence being searched. In the basement, agents found a triple beam scale in a box with defendant's business card for his chauffeuring business, another triple beam scale inside a leather bag, three empty bottles of inositol which were near the triple beam scale, a ceramic plate with white residue, a box of clear sandwich bags, and a baggie containing white residue.

Stevens also stated that they found a WD 40 can with a false bottom in the garage. Inside the can were four plastic bags of white powder, which were tested and found to contain cocaine. The powder was also found to contain various combinations of inositol, manitol, and betamanitol. Stevens testified that based on his experience and numerous investigations, it was his opinion that scales such as those seized were frequently used to weigh cocaine, that inositol powder was frequently used to dilute cocaine, and that ceramic plates such as the one seized were commonly used as a surface on which to mix cocaine with another agent.

Stevens also testified that when he showed defendant the WD40 can and the bags from it, defendant responded that he was surprised that he had so much cocaine left and that he was planning to go buy a larger quantity. He also stated that defendant said that "he wished to cooperate in any way possible for future consideration of the charges that would be pending against him" and that "he would do anything to assist us which would in turn assist him with--in consideration of the charges."

Stevens further testified that after the search was completed, defendant was taken to the police headquarters where he was given Miranda warnings and agreed to answer questions. Stevens testified over objection that defendant told him that he had been using cocaine for five years and had been selling it for three to four months prior to the search. Stevens testified further about the information defendant gave him regarding his cocaine sales. Stevens stated that defendant was released on the night of his arrest due to his offer of cooperation.

On cross-examination, Stevens denied that defendant first said that he would cooperate only after he had been told that agents were going to arrest defendant's wife and put his son in DCFS custody. Stevens stated that he was unaware that the wife was arrested at 1:45 p.m. that day.

On redirect, Stevens stated that the decision not to arrest defendant on the day of the search was made by an assistant state's attorney after defendant agreed to cooperate with the state police officers in developing cases against others. The prosecution tried to adduce evidence of whether defendant had followed through on his promises to cooperate. After defense counsel's objection, the prosecution argued that defendant's indication that he would cooperate was evidence of consciousness of guilt.

Defendant testified that he was 48 years old and resided in Lockport. He acknowledged that he had twice been convicted of a felony and had served time for one of the convictions. He stated that since 1983 he had been involved in a limousine business called "All American Chauffeuring". The business address was defendant's residence. He stated that he used the garage there for the business and that the six drivers and two mechanics had regular access to the garage.

Defendant testified that he began using cocaine in 1984 after his son had been badly burned in an accident. He stated that by March 1989 he used approximately a quarter ounce per day. He admitted that he had been selling cocaine for about four to five months before the arrest to support his personal use. Defendant stated that the cocaine in his pants pockets and coat pocket was what was left of his personal supply of cocaine used at a party.

Defendant further testified that on the day of the search, at the time defendant was shown the cocaine the police seized from his clothes, Jack Townsend, a police sergeant, told him that he either had a real problem or that he would help them out. Defendant stated that he responded that maybe they could work something out. At the house, defendant offered to help solve a murder that had occurred in 1976. Townsend stated that it was not his case and that he would have to talk to the case agent. Defendant denied that he made any statements to Stevens when the police showed him the WD40 can.

Defendant also testified that defendant heard agents talking about arresting his wife and taking his son to DCFS. Defendant stated that at the station defendant asked Stevens if they had a deal and that Stevens said that they did not because the murder was too old. On cross-examination, defendant testified that the WD40 can found in the garage with cocaine in it was not his.

In rebuttal, Townsend testified that, during the search, when the WD40 can and the cocaine inside were shown to defendant, defendant threw up his hands and said "What do you want me to do?" He also stated that he did not remember defendant telling Stevens that he was surprised that he found so much in his house and that he thought he was almost out.

The court found defendant guilty on both Counts I and II. Defendant filed a post-trial motion in which he alleged, among other things, that the court erred in...