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    The PEOPLE of the State of Illinois, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Jesse WALLACE, Defendant-Appellant.
    NO. 5-14-0385
    Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District.
    Opinion Filed: March 12, 2018
    Michael J. Pelletier, Patricia Mysza, and Maggie A. Heim, of State Appellate Defender's Office, of Chicago, for appellant.
    Bill J. Milner, State's Attorney, of Salem (Patrick Delfino, David J. Robinson, and Kelly M. Stacey, of State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor's Office, of counsel), for the People.
   JUSTICE CHAPMAN delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.

¶ 1 The defendant, Jesse Wallace, appeals the second-stage dismissal of his postconviction petition, which raised a claim of ineffective assistance of plea counsel. The court advanced the petition to the second stage, expressly finding that it was not frivolous or patently without merit. Postconviction counsel did not amend the defendant's petition because he did not believe that there were any amendments he could make to present meritorious arguments. The State filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that the defendant's claims were forfeited because they could have been raised in his direct appeal. At a hearing on the State's motion, counsel argued that the defendant's claims could not have been raised on appeal and, therefore, the claims were not forfeited. The court found that the claims were forfeited and dismissed the petition. In this appeal, the defendant argues that (1) postconviction counsel did not provide reasonable assistance because he failed to amend the defendant's petition to allow it to survive the State's forfeiture argument, (2) postconviction counsel was obliged to file a motion to withdraw setting forth the reasons he believed the defendant's petition was without merit, and (3) the defendant is entitled to a credit of $5 per day against his fine for time spent in custody prior to sentencing. The State urges us to affirm the order dismissing his petition either on the basis that the claims are barred by res judicata or on the basis that they are affirmatively rebutted by the record. We reverse the order dismissing the petition, and we remand with directions, including directions to amend the mittimus to reflect the $5-per-day credit.

¶ 2 This is the third time this matter has been before this court on appeal. The case has a complicated procedural history and involves a complex plea agreement. We will therefore set out the procedural history in some detail.

¶ 3 On December 29, 2010, the defendant was charged with two counts of unlawful delivery of less than one gram of a substance containing cocaine within 1000 feet of a place of worship ( 720 ILCS 570/401(d), 407(b)(2) (West 2010) ). The charges stemmed from two controlled buys between the defendant and a confidential informant, which were video-recorded. At the time the charges were filed, an additional drug charge was pending against the defendant in a separate case, and apparently federal prosecutors were also considering indicting him on drug charges. Attorney Tim Huyett, who was already representing the defendant in the other state case, was appointed to represent the defendant in this case as well.

¶ 4 The matter was set for a preliminary hearing on January 25, 2011. The day before the hearing, Huyett informed the defendant that when he reviewed the video recordings of the controlled buys, he learned that the confidential informant was also his client. Huyett explained to the defendant that this created a conflict of interest that required him to withdraw as counsel. Huyett withdrew, and attorney Bill Milner was appointed to represent the defendant.

¶ 5 Milner appeared with the defendant at the preliminary hearing the following day. Although Huyett had withdrawn as counsel, he was also present. Milner informed the court that the defendant was waiving his right to a preliminary hearing. He indicated that at that time, the defendant intended to plead not guilty and demand a jury trial. However, he told the court that the parties were discussing a possible plea agreement, which could be resolved later that day. Milner explained that he needed time to discuss the matter further with prosecutors, but he stated that it was "of very urgent necessity" that the plea be entered that day because otherwise "the offer may expire." The court expressed reservations, emphasizing that it was important that the defendant not feel rushed in deciding whether to accept the plea agreement. The state's attorney explained that the possible agreement involved "an agreement by another prosecutorial agency" and that she could not "guarantee that they will make that agreement on a later date."

¶ 6 The court took a recess. During the recess, the defendant discussed the plea agreement with both Milner and Huyett. When the court convened again after the recess, the court stated for the record, "I have been advised by the State as well as Mr. Milner and Mr. Huyett that this-there was some reference even earlier today * * * regarding some other prosecutorial entity being involved. When I inquired about that, I was told it was the federal authorities * * *, and I'm sure as part of this plea agreement there is going to be some representation regarding what may or may not happen with respect to federal court * * *." The court then turned its attention to the defendant's plea.

¶ 7 After the defendant indicated that he wished to plead guilty, the court inquired, "And you've had enough time to discuss this with Mr. Milner even though he was only appointed yesterday?" The defendant responded, "Yes, ma'am." The state's attorney then described the plea agreement as follows. The defendant would plead guilty to one of the two charges. In exchange for his plea, the State would drop the second charge in this case and the charge involved in the other pending case. In addition, the State would recommend a sentence of 15 years and a mandatory $2000 drug assessment fine. She explained further, "We have been informed that if Mr. Wallace enters this plea on today's date to this amount, the federal government will not bring charges against Mr. Wallace arising from this or similar conduct." She went on to explain that the State agreed to vacate the defendant's plea and nol-pros the charges if the federal prosecutors went ahead and brought charges.

¶ 8 The court accepted the plea agreement. The state's attorney then presented the factual basis for the defendant's plea, and the court admonished the defendant. The court entered a judgment of conviction on the defendant's plea, sentencing him in accordance with the plea agreement.

¶ 9 On February 17, 2011, the defendant filed a pro se motion to withdraw his guilty plea. He alleged that his first attorney, Tim Huyett, was representing both the defendant and the confidential informant at the same time. He argued that Huyett must have known about this conflict before he disclosed it to the defendant because the confidential source was visible in the video recordings of the controlled buys. The defendant further alleged that he felt "threatened" and "misled" by Huyett, who told him "that the FBI was looking into [his] case" and that he must plead guilty to the state charge to avoid a 20-year federal sentence. The defendant alleged that he felt rushed to plead guilty, he did not have the opportunity to see the video recordings before the hearing, and he only discussed the plea agreement with Milner for 30 minutes before pleading guilty. Finally, he alleged that Huyett did not use the material provided by the State in discovery to "create any defense at all."

¶ 10 The court appointed attorney Thomas Gatheman to represent the defendant on his motion. On July 28, 2011, Gatheman filed an amended motion to withdraw the defendant's guilty plea. He argued that the defendant's plea was not knowing and voluntary because (1) the defendant did not have sufficient time to consult with his attorney about the plea agreement or the evidence against him and (2) he entered into the plea due to a misapprehension of fact. Gatheman argued that although the defendant was not mistaken as to any specific fact when he pled guilty, he was operating under "a complete absence of knowledge of the facts."

¶ 11 The court held a hearing on the defendant's motion on August 19, 2011. The defendant testified at the hearing that he did not discuss the plea agreement with Huyett prior to the hearing at which he pled guilty. He acknowledged that he met with Huyett at least once between the time the charges were filed in this case and the date of the hearing. He explained, however, that they only discussed the other case pending against the defendant. He further testified that neither Huyett nor Milner ever discussed with him what evidence the State had against him in this case. Asked what Milner told him on the day of the plea hearing, the defendant replied, "Just told me what my plea agreements were." The defendant explained that Milner told him that he was being offered 15 years and that he would be charged federally if he did not plead guilty.

¶ 12 The defendant further testified that he believed Milner relied on Huyett in deciding how to handle the case. He noted that Huyett discussed the plea deal with the defendant and Milner even though he had withdrawn due to a conflict.

¶ 13 Asked why he accepted the plea agreement under these circumstances, the defendant testified that Milner told him, "Either I took the 15 years or by Friday or the State was going to allow the feds to take my case and I was going to be offered 20 years to life." Gatheman asked the defendant why he told the court at the plea hearing that he had enough time to consider the plea agreement and was satisfied with the representation of both plea attorneys when he was now asserting that he felt otherwise. The defendant responded, "I just felt like that was all the options I had right then and there. They told me it was a one-day offer."

¶ 14 Gatheman argued that for a plea to be voluntary, it must be made knowingly. He argued that the defendant's plea was not made knowingly because he did not know what evidence the State had against him. The state's attorney argued that the defendant did not allege that he was given any misrepresentations of fact or law. He acknowledged that the defendant was required to make a choice concerning the plea agreement in an "admittedly somewhat unique situation." He argued, however, that the State could not control what federal prosecutors did, and it was accurate to tell the defendant that federal prosecutors would indict him that week unless he pled guilty to state charges and received a sentence of at least 15 years. Finally, the State pointed out that the court "repeatedly admonished" the defendant regarding the concerns he was raising in his motion to vacate his plea.

¶ 15 The court announced its ruling from the bench. The court noted that "the burden [was] on the defendant to show a reason to withdraw the plea of guilty." The court found that the defendant failed to meet this burden in two ways. First, the court noted that the defendant failed to make any allegations concerning what the evidence was or what defense he might have raised had Huyett or Milner discussed it with him. Second, the court explained, "As far as what did or didn't happen with respect to the attorneys that he had, either Mr. Huyett or Mr. Milner," neither attorney was subpoenaed to testify. The court also noted that at the plea hearing, the court urged the defendant to wait to plead so he would not feel rushed in his decision. The court therefore denied the defendant's motion to withdraw his plea.

¶ 16 The defendant filed his first appeal in this matter on August 20, 2011. In that appeal, he argued only that the trial court erred in failing to comply strictly with the requirements of section 5-3-1 of the Unified Code of Corrections ( 730 ILCS 5/5-3-1 (West 2010) ). That statute requires the sentencing court to consider a presentence investigation report (PSI) before sentencing a criminal defendant for a felony conviction in most cases. However, the statute provides that the court may sentence the defendant without ordering a PSI if (1) the parties agree to a specific sentence and (2) the court makes findings concerning the defendant's criminal history, including any sentences previously imposed. Id. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory and is not subject to waiver. People v. Youngbey , 82 Ill. 2d 556, 564, 45 Ill.Dec. 938, 413 N.E.2d 416 (1980). In this case, the parties agreed to a specific sentence and counsel listed the defendant's prior convictions for the record during the plea hearing; however, the court did not make the required findings. The State conceded that these proceedings did not comport with the statutory requirements. We agreed, and we vacated the defendant's sentence and remanded the matter to the trial court for a new sentencing hearing that met the requirements of the statute. People v. Wallace , No. 5-11-0360, ¶¶ 1, 9 (2012) (unpublished summary order under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 23(c) ).

¶ 17 On remand, the court held another sentencing hearing. The court again accepted the plea agreement and sentenced the defendant according to its terms. The court again admonished the defendant that if he wanted to appeal, he would first have to file a motion to withdraw his plea. The defendant filed another direct appeal, but this time he did not first file a motion to withdraw his plea. We dismissed the defendant's appeal, finding that the defendant's failure to file a motion to withdraw his plea precluded us from considering the merits of his appeal. People v. Wallace , No. 5-12-0484 (Sept. 19, 2013) (unpublished dispositional order) (citing People v. Flowers , 208 Ill. 2d 291, 301, 280 Ill.Dec. 653, 802 N.E.2d 1174 (2003) ).

¶ 18 On September 9, 2013, the defendant filed a pro se postconviction petition. He alleged that his plea was "insufficient" under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 402 (eff. July 1, 2012) because questioning by the court did not reveal whether he actually understood the nature of the rights he was waiving or the consequences of doing so. He further alleged that the court failed to comply with section 5-3-1 of the Unified Code of Corrections, "which is mandatory and not subject to waiver." Finally, he alleged that he was "in fact threatened by counsel," who told him that if he did not accept the plea agreement, "his charges would be turned over to the federal authorities." (Emphasis in original.) The defendant argued that his "plea was so insufficient and so inadequate that the appellate court had to remand the cause following an appeal. Yet the irregularity and errors in the plea were not and could not have been corrected." Although the defendant did not explicitly argue that he received ineffective assistance of counsel, his petition included a section titled "Constitutional and Statutory Provisions Involved," in which he stated that the sixth amendment guarantees the right to the effective assistance of counsel.

¶ 19 On October 30, 2013, the court entered an order expressly finding that the defendant's pro se petition was not frivolous or patently without merit. The court appointed attorney Matthew Chancey to represent the defendant. However, Chancey was not informed of his appointment until November 25. At a status hearing the following day, Chancey asked for a continuance to allow him time to confer with the defendant about possible amendments to the pro se petition. The court granted his request.

¶ 20 At the next status hearing, Chancey asked for a second continuance. He told the court that he reviewed a letter he had received from the defendant, the pro se petition, the transcripts from the plea hearings, and this court's decisions in both of the defendant's direct appeals. Chancey then stated, "to be honest with you, Judge, having read those, I don't know what he's raising-trying to raise in his post-conviction petition. The one issue he raises in his pro se postconviction petition that I could make head or tail of was raised in his first appeal where he was successful." Chancey noted that, as such, the issue was moot. He asked for an additional 30-day continuance to try to determine what other issues the defendant wanted raised.

¶ 21 The matter was continued two more times because the defendant did not immediately respond to Chancey's letter. At an April 15, 2014, status hearing, Chancey described for the court the efforts he had made to confer with the defendant to ascertain the claims he wanted raised. Chancey noted that he initially sent the defendant a letter in January but received no response from the defendant. He told the court that he then sent the defendant a second letter after a status hearing in February. This time he received a letter from the defendant in response. In the letter, the defendant raised additional issues but apparently did not clarify the issues he included in his pro se petition. Chancey told the court, "I still don't see that there's any merit to the issues he wants to raise. So I will not be filing an amended post-conviction petition."

¶ 22 On May 13, 2014, the State filed a motion to dismiss. The State did not address the merits of the defendant's petition. Instead, the State argued that the issues raised in the pro se petition were forfeited. The State argued that all of the defendant's claims involved matters that appeared in the record. As such, the State contended, the claims could have been raised in the defendant's first direct appeal. The State argued that the claims were therefore forfeited and/or barred by res judicata .

¶ 23 On June 24, the court held a hearing on the State's motion. The state's attorney first noted that the defendant's petition "appears to be arguing" that the court did not comply with Rule 402 at his plea hearing. She then stated, "I suppose he makes a second allegation that [he] was in fact threatened by counsel." The state's attorney argued that both of these issues could have been raised in the defendant's motion to withdraw his plea and in his direct appeal. Because the claims were not raised, she argued, they were forfeited for postconviction review. (We note that the ineffective assistance claim was raised in the defendant's pro se motion to withdraw his plea but was not raised either in the amended motion prepared by Gatheman or in the defendant's first direct appeal. The Rule 402 claim was not raised at all in earlier proceedings.)

¶ 24 Chancey argued that neither claim was forfeited. He argued that appellate counsel could not raise the issue of the plea court's compliance with Rule 402 because it was not raised in the defendant's motion to withdraw his plea. (We note that Chancey did not argue that Gatheman was ineffective for failing to raise this claim in his amended motion.) Because it could not be raised on appeal, Chancey argued, the issue was not forfeited. He also argued that the claim concerning the advice of plea counsel and counsel's alleged threat to the defendant could not have been raised earlier because it involved conversations between the defendant and plea counsel, which did not appear in the record. The court asked both parties if they had any authority to cite to support their arguments. Both stated that they did not.

¶ 25 The court took the matter under advisement and issued a written decision on July 11, 2014. The court noted that at the second stage of postconviction proceedings, it must take all well-pled facts as true unless they are contradicted by the record. The court then framed the issue before it as follows: "The issue raised by the Motion to Dismiss then is not whether the allegations are true; it is whether the issues presented by the pending Post-Conviction Petition could have been raised at the time of the initial appeal." The court noted that because the issue was forfeiture, rather than res judicata , it did not need to determine whether the appellate court in fact considered any of the issues raised. The court then explained that the trial court record included the admonitions given to the defendant at his plea hearing, and the defendant's claim of ineffective assistance of plea counsel was considered at the hearing on his motion to withdraw his plea. The court concluded that both issues could have been raised on direct appeal and found them to be forfeited as a result. The court therefore granted the State's motion to dismiss. This appeal followed.

¶ 26 The defendant first argues that he did not receive reasonable assistance of postconviction counsel, the level of assistance that is guaranteed under the Post-Conviction Hearing Act ( 725 ILCS 5/122-1 et seq. (West 2012) ). He argues that Chancey's failure to amend his petition to avoid forfeiture fell below this level of representation. We agree.

¶ 27 The Post-Conviction Hearing Act provides a three-step procedure for adjudicating claims that a criminal defendant's conviction or sentence was the result of a violation of rights protected under the state or federal constitution.

People v. York , 2016 IL App (5th) 130579, ¶ 15, 408 Ill.Dec. 553, 65 N.E.3d 1029. At the first stage of postconviction proceedings, the court reviews the petition independently and determines whether the petition is frivolous or patently without merit. Id. If the petition clears that hurdle, it advances to the second stage, at which point the defendant has the right to counsel. Id. Counsel may file an amended petition, and the State may file a motion to dismiss or an answer. Id. ¶ 16. If the petition makes a substantial showing of a constitutional violation, it will be advanced to the third stage, which ordinarily involves an evidentiary hearing on the defendant's claims. Id.

¶ 28 This case involves a petition dismissed at the second stage. Although, as we just noted, the petition must make a substantial showing of a constitutional violation in order to proceed to the third stage, the petition here was dismissed on the basis of forfeiture. Thus, the court did not consider whether the petition met this standard.

¶ 29 The Post-Conviction Hearing Act provides the right to counsel at the second and third stages of the proceedings. 725 ILCS 5/122-4 (West 2012). Because the source of this right to counsel is statutory rather than constitutional, the level of assistance guaranteed is not the same as the level of assistance constitutionally mandated at trial or on direct appeal. People v. Greer , 212 Ill. 2d 192, 203-04, 288 Ill.Dec. 153, 817 N.E.2d 511 (2004). Our supreme court has held that the level of assistance guaranteed by the Post-Conviction Hearing Act is reasonable assistance. Id. at 204, 288 Ill.Dec. 153, 817 N.E.2d 511.

¶ 30 To provide the reasonable level of assistance guaranteed by statute, postconviction counsel must perform the three duties set forth in Illinois Supreme Court Rule 651(c) (eff. Feb. 6, 2013). Specifically, counsel must (1) consult with the defendant to determine the claims the defendant wants to raise, (2) examine the trial court record, and (3) make any amendments to the petition that are necessary in order to adequately present the defendant's claims to the court. Greer , 212 Ill. 2d at 205, 288 Ill.Dec. 153, 817 N.E.2d 511 (citing Ill. S. Ct. R. 651(c) (eff. Dec. 1, 1984) ). This does not mean postconviction counsel must file an amended petition in every case. Rather, counsel must make only those amendments that are necessary to adequately present the defendant's claims. People v. Turner , 187 Ill. 2d 406, 412, 241 Ill.Dec. 596, 719 N.E.2d 725 (1999). Thus, counsel might choose to stand on the defendant's pro se petition if it adequately sets forth the defendant's claims. Also, as our supreme court has held, it is not "necessary" to amend the defendant's petition to advance claims that lack merit, and counsel is under no obligation to do so. See Greer , 212 Ill. 2d at 205, 288 Ill.Dec. 153, 817 N.E.2d 511. However, as our supreme court emphasized in Turner , Rule 651(c)"plainly requires" that postconviction counsel make any amendments that are necessary. Turner , 187 Ill. 2d at 412, 241 Ill.Dec. 596, 719 N.E.2d 725.

¶ 31 If postconviction counsel files a certificate of compliance with Rule 651(c), this "creates a rebuttable presumption that postconviction counsel has provided the reasonable assistance contemplated by the [Post-Conviction Hearing] Act." People v. Rivera , 2016 IL App (1st) 132573, ¶ 36, 407 Ill.Dec. 623, 64 N.E.3d 1. Where counsel does not file a certificate of compliance, however, this presumption does not apply. Instead, we may find that counsel fulfilled his duties and provided reasonable assistance only if there is " 'an explicit showing in the record that he did, in fact, fulfill the rule's requirements.' "

People v. Jennings , 345 Ill. App. 3d 265, 271, 280 Ill.Dec. 616, 802 N.E.2d 867 (2003) (quoting People v. Carter , 223 Ill. App. 3d 957, 962, 166 Ill.Dec. 877, 586 N.E.2d 835 (1992) ). We review de novo the question of whether counsel provided the reasonable level of assistance required. People v. Russell , 2016 IL App (3d) 140386, ¶ 10, 402 Ill.Dec. 793, 52 N.E.3d 714.

¶ 32 In this case, postconviction counsel Matthew Chancey did not file a certificate of compliance with Rule 651, as the State acknowledges. The defendant argues that the record does not explicitly show that he complied with all of the rule's requirements. We agree.

¶ 33 The record shows that Chancey consulted with the defendant to attempt to ascertain the contentions of error the defendant wanted him to raise. Chancey asked for several continuances to allow him to confer with the defendant. He sent multiple letters to the defendant, attempting to learn what issues the defendant wanted him to raise, although he apparently had some difficulty in obtaining clear answers from the defendant. However, we do not believe the record clearly establishes compliance with either of the two other requirements of Rule 651(c).

¶ 34 The record indicates that Chancey reviewed at least portions of the trial court record. Chancey informed the court that he reviewed the defendant's pro se petition, his letters, the transcripts of the plea hearings, and the decisions of this court in both of the defendant's direct appeals. However, he did not tell the court that he reviewed any other portions the trial court record. While it appears that Chancey did in fact review at least part of the trial court record-for example, he pointed out that attorney Gatheman did not raise the question of the court's Rule 402 admonishments in the motion to withdraw guilty plea he filed on behalf of the defendant-the record does not clearly establish that Chancey reviewed other pertinent portions of the trial record, such as the transcript from the hearing on his motion to withdraw his plea.

¶ 35 Most significantly, Chancey did not make any amendments to the defendant's petition. The question before us is whether there were any necessary amendments he was required to make under the circumstances of this case. We find it was necessary to amend the petition to allege ineffective assistance of postplea counsel and appellate counsel in order to allow the defendant's petition to survive the State's motion to dismiss.

¶ 36 In reaching this conclusion, we are guided by the supreme court's decision in Turner and the Third District's decision in Russell . In Turner , the defendant filed a pro se postconviction petition. The trial court advanced his petition to the second stage and appointed counsel. Turner , 187 Ill. 2d at 409, 241 Ill.Dec. 596, 719 N.E.2d 725. Counsel did not file an amended petition. The court granted the State's motion to dismiss, finding that all of the defendant's claims were forfeited because they could have been raised on direct appeal but were not raised. Id.

¶ 37 The defendant appealed the dismissal of his petition, arguing that he did not receive reasonable assistance of counsel during the postconviction proceedings. Id. at 410, 241 Ill.Dec. 596, 719 N.E.2d 725. The supreme court agreed that counsel's failure to amend his petition fell short of the representation required by Rule 651(c). Id. at 412, 241 Ill.Dec. 596, 719 N.E.2d 725. The court explained that the defendant's claims would not have been forfeited if his attorney had amended the pro se petition to include a claim of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel. Id. at 413, 241 Ill.Dec. 596, 719 N.E.2d 725. The court further explained that failure to make this amendment "prevented the circuit court from considering the merits of [the] petitioner's claims and directly contributed to the dismissal of the petition without an evidentiary hearing." Id. The court emphasized that adding an allegation of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel under these circumstances is "a routine amendment." Id. at 414, 241 Ill.Dec. 596, 719 N.E.2d 725. The supreme court held that because of this omission, along with counsel's failure to make other necessary amendments and provide evidentiary support, counsel's performance fell below the reasonable level of assistance required. Id. at 415, 241 Ill.Dec. 596, 719 N.E.2d 725.

¶ 38 The State argued there, much as it argues here, that the defendant's underlying claims lacked merit, and as such, the defendant failed to demonstrate prejudice from counsel's failure to amend the petition. Id. The supreme court declined to affirm on that basis. The court noted that the prejudice from counsel's failure to amend the petition to overcome the procedural bar of forfeiture was "palpable." Id. The court also explained that it is not appropriate to "speculate whether the trial court would have dismissed the petition without an evidentiary hearing if counsel had adequately performed his duties." Id. at 416, 241 Ill.Dec. 596, 719 N.E.2d 725.

¶ 39 Similarly, in Russell , the defendant's postconviction petition was dismissed at the second stage after appointed counsel failed to file an amended petition. Russell , 2016 IL App (3d) 140386, ¶ 5, 402 Ill.Dec. 793, 52 N.E.3d 714. The defendant's pro se petition raised five claims. Id. ¶ 4. In dismissing the defendant's petition, the postconviction court found that one of those claims was barred solely on the basis of forfeiture because it was not raised in the defendant's direct appeal. Id. ¶ 5.

¶ 40 On appeal, the defendant argued that counsel did not provide him with reasonable assistance because he failed to amend that claim to avoid forfeiture. Id. ¶ 8. Citing Turner , the Third District emphasized that the postconviction court was prevented from reaching the merits of the forfeited claim because counsel failed to amend the petition to include an allegation of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel, "an amendment that the Turner court called 'routine.' " Id. ¶ 11 (quoting Turner , 187 Ill. 2d at 413-14, 241 Ill.Dec. 596, 719 N.E.2d 725 ). We note that in Russell , unlike this case, counsel filed a certificate of compliance with Rule 651(c), which, as we note earlier, created a rebuttable presumption that he provided reasonable assistance. Nevertheless, the Russell court found that counsel's failure to make this one "routine amendment" was sufficient to overcome the presumption of reasonable assistance. Id.

¶ 41 In Russell , as in Turner and the instant case, the State argued that the claim lacked merit and, as such, counsel's failure to amend it did not amount to unreasonable assistance. Id. ¶ 12. The court rejected this argument, explaining that where postconviction counsel has failed to fulfill his obligations under Rule 651(c), "remand is required, regardless of whether the claims raised in the petition had merit." Id. (citing People v. Ross , 2015 IL App (3d) 130077, ¶ 15, 396 Ill.Dec. 808, 40 N.E.3d 461).

¶ 42 Here, as in Turner and Russell , Chancey could have amended the defendant's petition to allege that Gatheman provided ineffective assistance on the defendant's motion to withdraw his plea and that appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to raise the question on direct appeal. As we discussed previously, in denying the defendant's motion to withdraw his plea, the trial court explicitly stated that the defendant failed to meet his burden of demonstrating that Huyett or Milner were ineffective in part because he did not present the testimony of either attorney. Had Chancey amended the defendant's petition to address this, it would have survived a motion to dismiss based on forfeiture. As our supreme court noted in Turner , this would have been a "routine amendment." See Turner , 187 Ill. 2d at 414, 241 Ill.Dec. 596, 719 N.E.2d 725. For the reasons that follow, we believe that on the record before us, the need for this routine amendment was particularly obvious.

¶ 43 The record raises questions about the manner in which Huyett and Milner handled the plea proceedings. Huyett negotiated a plea agreement with prosecutors before withdrawing due to a conflict of interest. It does not appear that Milner played any role in negotiating the plea deal, and it is undisputed that Huyett was involved in advising the defendant concerning his plea on the day of the hearing in spite of his conflict of interest. Although the defendant told the court that he was satisfied with Huyett's representation, he did not agree to waive the conflict of interest.

¶ 44 In addition, the defendant testified at the hearing on the motion to withdraw his plea that he never discussed the plea agreement with either attorney prior to the day he pled guilty, and there are some indications in the record that the defendant did not truly understand the plea agreement even though he told the court that he did. For example, he has repeatedly asserted that his attorneys told him this case would be turned over to federal authorities if he did not plead guilty that very day. While none of this necessarily means that Huyett or Milner provided ineffective assistance, it raises questions. As the trial court noted in its order denying the defendant's motion to withdraw his plea, such questions might have been answered by the testimony of Huyett or Milner. We conclude that Chancey's failure to amend the defendant's petition to include a claim that Gatheman provided ineffective assistance fell below the reasonable level of assistance required under Rule 651. This was an amendment necessary to adequately present the defendant's claim.

¶ 45 The State argues, however, that the real problem with the defendant's petition was not forfeiture; the real problems were that his claim of ineffective assistance of plea counsel was actually considered by the trial court at the hearing on the defendant's motion to withdraw his plea and that both of his claims are refuted by the record. The State urges us to affirm on either of these bases. We decline to do so. As the supreme court explained in Turner , it is not appropriate to consider the merits of the defendant's petition where the trial court has not yet done so due to counsel's failure to make amendments that are necessary to avoid forfeiture. Turner , 187 Ill. 2d at 415-16, 241 Ill.Dec. 596, 719 N.E.2d 725. Moreover, as we have already explained, we believe that the defendant's claim of ineffective assistance of plea counsel cannot be resolved without looking to matters outside the record. We therefore decline to affirm the court's ruling on either alternative basis urged by the State.

¶ 46 The defendant's next argument is that Chancey had an obligation to withdraw as counsel rather than continue to represent him while "repeatedly" telling the court that he believed the defendant's petition had no merit. He acknowledges in his reply brief that we may reverse the court's ruling without deciding this question. However, because his argument touches on a question that might arise on remand, we will address it.

¶ 47 The defendant bases his argument largely on People v. Kuehner , 2015 IL 117695, 392 Ill.Dec. 347, 32 N.E.3d 655, and People v. Shortridge , 2012 IL App (4th) 100663, 358 Ill.Dec. 10, 964 N.E.2d 679. In Shortridge , the defendant filed a pro se petition, and the court appointed counsel. Counsel filed a certificate of compliance with Rule 651(c) but did not file an amended petition. Shortridge , 2012 IL App (4th) 100663, ¶ 4, 358 Ill.Dec. 10, 964 N.E.2d 679. The State filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that the defendant's claims were contradicted by the record. Id. ¶ 5. At a hearing, defense counsel informed the court that he and the state's attorney (who was not present at the hearing) had agreed that defense counsel would appear alone and ask the court to reschedule the hearing. He then stated, however, that " 'at this point,' he was 'going to confess the motion to dismiss.' " Id. ¶ 6. The court therefore dismissed the petition. Id.

¶ 48 On appeal, the Fourth District found that counsel failed to fulfill his obligation to provide reasonable assistance. Id. ¶ 15. The court stated, "If counsel believes that his client's claims are frivolous or without merit, his ethical obligation is to seek a withdrawal as counsel." Id. ¶ 13 (citing Greer , 212 Ill. 2d at 209, 288 Ill.Dec. 153, 817 N.E.2d 511 ). The court reversed the order dismissing the defendant's petition and remanded the matter for further proceedings with directions to appoint a new attorney to represent the defendant. Id. ¶ 15. The court went on to state, "If newly appointed counsel, after complying with the mandates of Rule 651, determines that [the] defendant's petition lacks any meritorious issue, then he should move to withdraw as counsel. At that point, the circuit court would need to determine whether the record supported counsel's assertion that the petition was without merit ." (Emphasis added.) Id.

¶ 49 We agree with the State that what occurred in Shortridge is significantly different from what occurred here. There, counsel completely failed to represent the defendant's interests at all , and the defendant's petition was dismissed with no advocacy or argument on his behalf at a hearing at which the State did not even present any arguments in favor of its motion to dismiss. See id. (stating that "appointed counsel should either represent [the] defendant's interests in the proceedings or move to withdraw"). Here, we do not believe that Chancey failed to advocate on the defendant's behalf at all, and he did not unilaterally withdraw the defendant's petition from consideration. However, we have already concluded that reversal is warranted because his advocacy on behalf of the defendant fell short of the reasonable level of assistance required, and we agree with the Shortridge court's assessment of what should occur on remand. We find support for this position in the supreme court's holdings in Greer and Kuehner .

¶ 50 We note that neither Greer nor Kuehner involved the precise situation present here. In both of those cases, appointed counsel actually sought to withdraw, so the court was not called upon to decide whether counsel was obliged to do so. Kuehner , 2015 IL 117695, ¶ 9, 392 Ill.Dec. 347, 32 N.E.3d 655 ; Greer , 212 Ill. 2d at 195, 288 Ill.Dec. 153, 817 N.E.2d 511. However, we find both cases instructive.

¶ 51 At issue in Greer was whether appointed postconviction counsel is permitted to withdraw under the Post-Conviction Hearing Act. See Greer , 212 Ill. 2d at 207, 288 Ill.Dec. 153, 817 N.E.2d 511. The court concluded that "the legislature did not intend to require" postconviction counsel to continue representing a defendant "after counsel determines that [the] defendant's petition is frivolous and patently without merit." Id. at 209, 288 Ill.Dec. 153, 817 N.E.2d 511. The court went on to state, "Nothing in the [Post-Conviction Hearing] Act requires the attorney to do so, and the attorney is clearly prohibited from doing so by his or her ethical obligations." (Emphasis in original.) Id. Although the issue in Greer was whether counsel may withdraw, not whether counsel must withdraw, we cannot ignore this emphatic statement from our supreme court.

¶ 52 In Kuehner , the question before the court was not whether counsel is obliged to withdraw, but what counsel is obliged to assert if he does seek to withdraw. There, as in this case, the defendant's petition was advanced to the second stage after the court expressly found that the petition was neither frivolous nor patently without merit. Kuehner , 2015 IL 117695, ¶ 8, 392 Ill.Dec. 347, 32 N.E.3d 655. The supreme court found this fact significant, explaining that once a postconviction court determines that, "on its face, the [defendant's] petition [is] neither frivolous nor patently without merit," counsel should not be allowed to simply "second guess" the court's determination. Id. ¶ 20. The court recognized that in some cases, counsel might discover that a defendant's claims are in fact frivolous in spite of the court's initial determination to the contrary. The court held that in such cases, "counsel bears the burden of demonstrating, with respect to each of the defendant's pro se claims, why the trial court's initial assessment was incorrect." Id. ¶ 21.

¶ 53 We believe that the concerns underlying the court's holding in Kuehner are implicated here as well. Here, the court expressly determined that at least one of the defendant's claims was not frivolous or patently without merit. Because we have found that Chancey did not provide the defendant with the reasonable level of assistance guaranteed under the Post-Conviction Hearing Act, we must remand this matter for further second-stage proceedings. On remand, the court should appoint a new attorney to represent the defendant. If that attorney investigates the defendant's claims and discovers that they are frivolous and patently without merit despite the court's initial finding to the contrary, we believe counsel should file a motion to withdraw that comports with the requirements of Kuehner . This course of action is necessary because it would enable the postconviction court to reconsider its previous ruling, as the Kuehner court intended. See id. (noting that a motion to withdraw under these circumstances is similar to a motion to reconsider).

¶ 54 Finally, the defendant argues that he is entitled to a credit of $5 per day against his drug assessment fine for the time he spent in custody prior to sentencing. See 725 ILCS 5/110-14 (West 2010). He correctly notes that this issue may be raised at any time. See People v. Caballero , 228 Ill. 2d 79, 88, 319 Ill.Dec. 364, 885 N.E.2d 1044 (2008). The State concedes that the defendant is entitled to this credit, and we agree. The defendant is entitled to a credit against his $2000 drug assessment fine of $5 per day for 28 days for a total of $140. We therefore direct the circuit court to amend the mittimus on remand to reflect this credit.

¶ 55 For the reasons stated, we reverse the court's order dismissing the defendant's petition. We remand the matter for further proceedings with directions.

¶ 56 Reversed; remanded with directions.

Justices Moore and Overstreet concurred in the judgment and opinion.


source: Caselaw Access Project

license: Public Domain

text:
    The PEOPLE of the State of Illinois, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Eric F. ZIEMBA, Defendant-Appellant.
    No. 2-17-0048
    Appellate Court of Illinois, Second District.
    Opinion filed March 23, 2018
    Rachel J. Hess, of St. Charles, for appellant.
    Joseph H. McMahon, State's Attorney, of St. Charles (Patrick Delfino, Lawrence M. Bauer, and Steven A. Rodgers, of State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor's Office, of counsel), for the People.
   JUSTICE SCHOSTOK delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.

¶ 1 Following a bench trial, defendant, Eric F. Ziemba, was found guilty of involuntary sexual servitude of a minor ( 720 ILCS 5/10-9(c)(2) (West 2014) ), traveling to meet a minor (id. § 11-26(a) ), and grooming (id. § 11-25(a) ). On appeal, defendant contends that (1) the evidence was insufficient to prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of involuntary sexual servitude of a minor and (2) the trial court erroneously admitted certain text messages into evidence. We affirm.

¶ 2 I. BACKGROUND

¶ 3 On December 2, 2014, the following advertisement was placed online by an officer from the Aurora Police Department as part of an undercover sting operation conducted with the assistance of special agents from the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS):

"* * * * * * *Sweet and juicy cHERRY waiting to be picked* * * *-18
Its sooooo cold!!!! Come warm up with a very young and eager co-ed waiting to please and fulfill your every desire. I'm a sexy brunette down for what ever you please. Text at [number omitted]. Gentlemen only..I;m [sic ] waiting for you. Available all day..$150/h..100/hh
Poster's age: 18"

¶ 4 Defendant responded to the advertisement via text message, unaware that he was communicating with Sergeant Alfredo Dean of the Aurora Police Department. The following is the text exchange that occurred between defendant and Dean:

"[DEFENDANT]: Where are you located? Are you a cop?
[DEAN]: near sugar grove and no
[DEFENDANT]: No far. Oswego here
[DEAN]: what r u lookin 4
[DEFENDANT]: What do u offer
[DEAN]: my girls will do what i tell them
[DEFENDANT]: Your girls? So who am I talking to?
[DEAN]: mom
[DEFENDANT]: Ah so are these your daughters?
[DEAN]: yes
[DEFENDANT]: How old are they? I just want to be sure I am not getting scammed here [DEAN]: 14 yr and 15 yr
[DEAN]: no scam just xtra x mas $ $ $
[DEFENDANT]: Your post said 18
[DEFENDANT]: Do you do things?
[DEAN]: I know no just teaching 2day
[DEFENDANT]: Ok.
[DEFENDANT]: Where would this happen?
[DEFENDANT]: ?
[DEAN]: hotel
[DEFENDANT]: In sugar grove?
[DEFENDANT]: Are you interested?
[DEAN]: are u? we r ready
[DEFENDANT]: I am. Will you be in the room?
[DEAN]: i will leave and return once time is up
[DEFENDANT]: Can I see a pic of who I would see? I feel a little nervous about this. Could be a trap
[DEAN]: no trap pics posted r real
[DEFENDANT]: There is only one
[DEAN]: i know its real
[DEFENDANT]: What is the rate?
[DEAN]: i know its real
[DEAN]: 100 hh 150 h
[DEFENDANT]: You said that already. What is the rate? ?
[DEFENDANT]: Oh ok
[DEFENDANT]: What are they able to do!
[DEAN]: 100 hh 150 hh
[DEAN]: anything i tell them to do
[DEFENDANT]: Even each other?
[DEAN]: upcharge each other
[DEFENDANT]: What is that?
[DEAN]: xtra $ $ for their show
[DEFENDANT]: I know. Amount
[DEAN]: $50
[DEFENDANT]: Ok. So where would I have to go?
[DEAN]: we are near 88/orchard text when ur near
[DEFENDANT]: How many guys have they seen today?
[DEFENDANT]: Why are they not in school)
[DEAN]: we just started day off to make some x tra $ $ $
[DEFENDANT]: How much xtra do you need?
[DEFENDANT]: You know that no man can touch your daughters because they are under age and it's illegal.
[DEAN]: ur loss
[DEFENDANT]: I didn't say I wasn't coming
[DEFENDANT]: I am trying to understand your reasoning
[DEAN]: making $ $ that's all
[DEFENDANT]: Have they done this before?
[DEFENDANT]: Look at it from my standpoint. I am nervous
[DEAN]: 1 yes and 1 is learning
[DEAN]: they will calm ur nerves
[DEFENDANT]: The older?
[DEAN]: 15 does fs 14 is still learning but great hands
[DEFENDANT]: I am sure they will. But do u understand why I am asking all these questions? I want to know that I am going to be safe not arrested or scammed. You arnulle [sic ] discrete
[DEFENDANT]: Fs? Full service?
[DEAN]: all safe here very discreet
[DEAN]: yes on fs
[DEFENDANT]: As long as you can assure me that I will be safe I won't get arrested and no vid or anything after this will happen. I am a go
[DEAN]: i will see u when u get here all good here [DEFENDANT]: Is someone else there
[DEAN]: just my daughter and I can stay in room or leave and return when time is up
[DEFENDANT]: Only one daughter?
[DEAN]: both r here
[DEFENDANT]: No one else has asked about your ad
[DEAN]: yes have some appointmnets [sic ] already which time do u want
[DEFENDANT]: What's open
[DEFENDANT]: I'm half ways there
[DEAN]: how long will u b?
[DEFENDANT]: Well I can try an hour. But if it's easier I can do half
[DEAN]: we can do either how long b4 u get here
[DEFENDANT]: Where is here
[DEAN]: we r near 88/orchard
[DEFENDANT]: I know where though
[DEAN]: holiday inn
[DEFENDANT]: Really?
[DEFENDANT]: Haha
[DEFENDANT]: Ok then I am here
[DEAN]: ? ? ?
[DEFENDANT]: I was at the bank when you said holiday inn so I am here
[DEAN]: in the parking lot?
[DEFENDANT]: Yes
[DEAN]: rm 211 knock on the door and say papa johns
[DEFENDANT]: For real?
[DEFENDANT]: Are you in the room?
[DEAN]: yes
[DEFENDANT]: Why can't I meet you first
[DEAN]: we can talk whn u get here
[DEFENDANT]: See that makes me nervous. Your not helping me feel relaxed. I know the cars outside and one makes me real worried
[DEFENDANT]: As soon as I come in I feel that I am going to get cuffed
[DEFENDANT]: ? ?
[DEAN]: what cars r u talkin about i don't see anything now ur making me nervous
[DEFENDANT]: Ok. Be honest with me you are not going to have me arrested or I am not going to be on dateline?
[DEFENDANT]: Not trying to make you nervous
[DEAN]: no and no hell no
[DEFENDANT]: Your not part of any undercover thing?
[DEAN]: omg no
[DEFENDANT]: Ok good.
[DEFENDANT]: I just have to make sure I am safe
[DEAN]: me too
[DEFENDANT]: There are people at the front desk. What do I tell them?
[DEAN]: just walk up to room
[DEFENDANT]: Do I have to say papa johns
[DEAN]: im trying to make it look as real as possible
[DEFENDANT]: There is no one in the hallway now. Can't you let me in?
[DEAN]: just knock on door geez"

¶ 5 Defendant entered the hotel room and encountered Melissa Siffermann, a special agent with DHS, who was posing as the mother offering her two daughters for sex. Defendant paid her $150 and was thereafter arrested.

¶ 6 On January 28, 2015, defendant was indicted on one count of involuntary sexual servitude of a minor (id. § 10-9(c)(2) ), one count of traveling to meet a minor (id. § 11-26(a) ), and one count of grooming (id. § 11-25(a) ).

¶ 7 Defendant moved to dismiss count I of the indictment, based on the absence of an actual minor. The trial court denied the motion, stating that the issue was to be determined by the trier of fact.

¶ 8 A bench trial commenced on October 17, 2016, at which the following relevant testimony was provided. Geoffrey Howard, a special agent with DHS, testified that DHS entered into a partnership with the Aurora Police Department to target individuals involved in the sex trafficking of children. On December 2, 2014, they were conducting an operation out of two adjoining rooms in an Aurora hotel. One of the rooms was used as the meeting room for the target and the undercover officer. The other room was considered the control room, where several officers would correspond via text messages with individuals responding to the online ad. Two surveillance cameras had been set up; one camera recorded the hallway outside of the meeting room, and the other camera recorded the inside of the meeting room. Video monitors for the cameras were located in the control room.

¶ 9 Howard testified that, on the day in question, the ad was posted on an escort service webpage called "Backpage.com." Howard testified that the officers used a computer program called "LETS," which allowed them to respond to incoming texts via computer rather than phone. The program allowed more than one officer to respond to more than one individual using the number placed in the online ad. The program created a record of the incoming and outgoing messages.

¶ 10 Erik Swastek, an officer with the Aurora Police Department, testified that he was the lead investigator in the operation. He prepared the ad that was placed on Backpage.com. He stated that, if an ad included an age younger than 18, the ad would not post. However, he learned from known prostitutes that people trying to find juveniles on Backpage.com looked for people posting as 18-year-olds. Swastek testified that the phone number used was a "spoof number." When someone responded to the ad, the text message would go to a computer in the control room. Swastek would then assign the number to an officer who would then be responsible for communicating with that person. On December 2, 2014, there were four or five "texters" working in the control room. At 12:31 p.m. on December 2, 2014, a text was received in response to the ad. The text was assigned to Dean.

¶ 11 Swastek testified that the text message conversations were preserved on a server through the LETS system. The conversations could be downloaded and printed. There was no way for anyone to change or manipulate conversations on the server. Swastek identified People's exhibit No. 2 as the printout of the text conversation with defendant from the LETS program.

¶ 12 Swastek testified further that, after defendant was arrested, he took defendant's phone and placed it in a bag. He confirmed that the phone was the one used to send the text messages in response to the ad. On December 14, 2014, Swastek hooked the phone up to a Cellebrite Touch Universal Forensic Extraction Device (Cellebrite) and extracted all the data on the phone. Swastek explained that a Cellebrite downloads a phone's data to a computer. Before hooking the phone up to the Cellebrite, Swastek looked at the text message conversation between defendant and Dean that was on the phone. He testified that every part of the conversation was on the phone; nothing had been deleted. Swastek identified People's exhibit No. 6-A as a printout of the text messages from the Cellebrite extraction and People's exhibit No. 5 as a printout of the Cellebrite extraction of the entire contents of the phone. Swastek testified that Officer Benjamin Grabowski took the lead on the Cellebrite extraction and showed Swastek how to do it.

¶ 13 On cross-examination, Swastek was asked about People's exhibit No. 2 and his training on the LETS program. He testified that he was not an expert on the LETS program but that he knew that the text conversations were automatically downloaded to the server. When asked whether he could independently recall whether the information that was saved on the server was exactly the same information retrieved from the phone, he stated:

"If I understood you correctly, when I did the extract, I had the phone in my hand, and I went line by line when I did that and made sure like either he didn't delete something that I would have to account for in my report or that, you know, whatever happens in the magic that is technology something got messed up.
But I went phone to screen, line by line, and made sure it matched exactly."

¶ 14 When the State moved to admit People's exhibit No. 6-A into evidence, defendant objected, stating:

"Judge, I would continue to say that relative to the text messaging, this officer wasn't on the other side of those text messages, so if he could lay a foundation for what somebody else said, I think that's a little bit problematic.
Once again, I'm not suggesting this is a hard foundation to lay. I'm just saying it's the wrong guy to lay it. Sergeant Dean is the one that was the responder on all of these text messages."

The court withheld ruling, pending testimony from Dean.

¶ 15 Dean testified that he was assigned to respond to the texts coming in from defendant. He responded using his laptop, and the text conversation was recorded through a system on his laptop. The recorded conversation was later downloaded and preserved. Dean testified that he was later able to examine the contents of the recorded conversation and determine that it was recorded accurately. Dean examined People's exhibit No. 2, which he identified as a printout of the recorded conversation, and testified that it appeared to be the entire conversation that he had with defendant.

¶ 16 Dean testified that, while texting with defendant, he advised defendant to knock on the door to the hotel room where defendant was supposed to meet with the "mother." Thereafter, via a video monitor, Dean saw defendant knock on the door and enter the meeting room, where he encountered Siffermann. After having a conversation with her, defendant was arrested. Dean confirmed with Swastek, who had taken defendant's phone, that the phone number matched the phone number he had been texting.

¶ 17 When the State asked to admit People's exhibit No. 2 into evidence, defendant continued his objection, arguing: "[W]e're dealing with a software program where we have not heard how it works, how it was put together, what it shows, whether there's any accuracy involved in it at all." The trial court overruled the objection and admitted the exhibit, stating:

"I believe the foundation has been laid.
Specifically, I also rely on the fact that this witness said that he verified what was on the text messages is what he remembered, and I believe the previous witness, Swastek, testified that he actually went line by line between his computer screen and the phone and that they corresponded with each other."

Thereafter, Dean testified as to the contents of the text conversation with defendant.

¶ 18 On cross-examination, Dean testified that he did not personally save the text messages on the server. He assumed that it was automatically done by the LETS program. He agreed that he was not an expert on the LETS program. Dean never compared People's exhibit No. 2 with the text messages on his computer. He could not say that it was exactly the same as what was on his computer.

¶ 19 On redirect examination, Dean testified that the text messages contained in People's exhibit No. 2 were the text messages that he personally sent and received on December 2, 2014.

¶ 20 Following Dean's testimony, defendant renewed his objection to the admission of People's exhibit No. 2. The trial court stated:

"I'm not going to reconsider it. In going through the facts, what I'm relying on specifically is Swastek testified that they took the phone off of your client, that they secured the phone.
Swastek then went to the computer and compared line by line the computer and the phone and that they were the same. And then Dean has testified that People's No. 2 was a transcript of basically-as I took it, basically what Swastek compared on the computer and the phone, too. With the comparison being the same, Dean testifying that that was his conversation.
I understand your argument, but I believe the foundation has been laid that that is the true and accurate conversation, and I will not reconsider my position."

¶ 21 Siffermann testified that, on December 2, 2014, she was working undercover, playing the role of a mother offering her two teenage daughters for sex. She did not participate in the texting but was informed by the officers about the general details of the conversations taking place, such as the amount of money to be charged. At about 2:25 p.m., there was a knock on the door of the hotel room being used as the meeting room. Defendant entered, she had a conversation with him, and he gave her $150. The meeting was recorded on video. A copy of the video and a transcript of her conversation with defendant were admitted into evidence. The video was played for the court.

¶ 22 On cross-examination, Siffermann conceded that when defendant entered the room there were no children present and defendant never asked about children. Defendant told her that he was going to do the full hour. They did not discuss specific sexual acts or with whom he was expecting to engage in sexual acts. Siffermann's understanding of their conversation was that he was there to have sex with a minor and that he was nervous about it. Defendant did not use specific words indicating that he was there to have sex with a minor. Her belief that defendant was there to have sex with a minor was based on the contents of the text conversation. Siffermann read the text conversation before meeting with defendant. Based on defendant's stating that he wanted to do the full hour and then paying her $150, Siffermann believed that she and defendant came to an agreement that the money was being exchanged for sexual acts.

¶ 23 Grabowski testified that, on December 14, 2014, he was asked by Swastek to help execute a warrant on an iPhone. Grabowski had been trained on the Cellebrite, which extracts all data from phones, including deleted data, and migrates the data to a computer so that it can be read in linear format. As of December 2014, he had performed over 50 Cellebrite extractions. Swastek gave him defendant's phone, and with Swastek present he successfully ran the Cellebrite extraction without incident. The data was then downloaded to a disk and given to Swastek.

¶ 24 Defendant testified that he lived in Oswego and had been married for 13 years. On December 2, 2014, he was on his computer at home when he saw the ad placed on Backpage.com. The ad made no reference to children. He responded to the ad by text. Defendant was shown People's exhibit No. 2, which he identified as a transcript of the text messages sent between himself and the recipient, and agreed that it was a true and accurate representation of those text messages. Throughout his testimony, defendant went through the transcript line by line with counsel.

¶ 25 Defendant testified that, when he answered the ad, he believed that he would be getting "just a massage and anything else would be discussed later on." He believed that there was a possibility of a sexual encounter. Defendant testified that, when the "mother" texted, "[m]y girls essentially will do whatever I tell them to," he "was a little thrown off" because the ad referenced a single person. He thought that "she had friends or something." When he asked the mother, " 'Do you do things?' " and she responded, " 'no just teaching 2day,' " he responded " 'Ok.' " By responding "Ok," he was just acknowledging what she said; he was not expressing his intent to have sex with her children. When the mother texted that she was in a hotel, defendant texted " 'Are you interested?' " Defendant was referring to the mother. When the mother responded, " 'Are u? We r ready,' " defendant believed that she was referring to "anything that would transpire between her and [him]." When defendant asked if she would be in the room, it was because he wanted to make sure that he could talk to her and to clarify that his main purpose was to see her. When the mother told him that she would leave and return when the time was up, "[he] wasn't comfortable with that."

¶ 26 Defendant testified further that he engaged in a dialogue about the daughters because he had "never experienced anything like this, and [he] was just kind of thrown back and/or shocked that a mother would be willing to put their daughters through this." He never agreed to pay $50 for the girls to "do each other." He testified that he "was not interested in doing that. That was never an option. It would never even cross [his] mind." When he asked how many other guys the girls had seen that day and why they were not in school, it was because he was "just kind of shocked." When the mother responded " 'ur loss' " to his comment that touching her daughters was illegal, and defendant texted, " 'I didn't say I wasn't coming,' " it was because he did not want her to get upset. His intent behind continuing the conversation about her daughters was to try to see if he could eventually talk to her alone. When defendant asked about " 'Fs' " regarding the 15-year-old, he was trying to clarify only what the mother meant, not what he expected to happen. His expectation was that he would be seeing the 18-year-old pictured in the ad.

¶ 27 Defendant testified that when he arrived at the hotel room Siffermann told him that her daughter was at the pool. Defendant testified: "That meant perfect scenario. This is what I wanted. I wanted to meet with her, discuss anything with her, and there was no point in any children, which is what I wanted, because I never wanted interaction with anyone underage nor did I ever ask that." When Siffermann asked how much time he wanted and whether he was okay with the price, he told her that he wanted an hour and he gave her $150. She did not talk about the children at any point, nor did he. After he gave her the money, she told him that she needed to finish brushing her teeth. Defendant thought, "[O]kay, great. It's nothing with minors. It's just going to be me and her." Defendant sat down, and Siffermann went into the bathroom. The door to the adjoining room opened, and several officers entered. Defendant was arrested and brought into the adjoining room.

¶ 28 After being arrested, defendant gave the officers his cell phone and the password. He was brought to the police station and questioned. When asked about his intent, he told them that he "was there for a massage and/or hand job, if possible."

¶ 29 The trial court found defendant guilty of involuntary sexual servitude of a minor (id. § 10-9(c)(2) ), traveling to meet a minor (id. § 11-26(a) ), and grooming (id. § 11-25(a) ). Defendant filed a motion for a new trial, which the trial court denied. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced defendant to seven years' imprisonment on his conviction of involuntary sexual servitude of a minor and to four years on his conviction of traveling to meet a minor, to run concurrently. The grooming conviction merged into the conviction of traveling to meet a minor. Defendant timely appealed.

¶ 30 II. ANALYSIS

¶ 31 A. Sufficiency of the Evidence

¶ 32 Defendant argues that the State failed to prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of involuntary sexual servitude of a minor (id. § 10-9(c)(2) ), because "the collective testimony of the State's witnesses, that the defendant intentionally solicited sex with a minor, was contradicted not only by his plausible denial but also by the fact that no minor ever existed."

¶ 33 We review a claim of insufficient evidence to determine " 'whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.' " (Emphasis in original.) People v. Collins , 106 Ill. 2d 237, 261, 87 Ill.Dec. 910, 478 N.E.2d 267 (1985) (quoting Jackson v. Virginia , 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979) ). A conviction will not be set aside unless the evidence is so improbable or unsatisfactory that it creates a reasonable doubt of the defendant's guilt. Id. "[I]t is not the function of this court to retry the defendant." Id. The trier of fact must assess the credibility of the witnesses, determine the weight to give their testimony, resolve conflicts in the evidence, and draw reasonable inferences from that evidence, and this court will not substitute its judgment for that of the trier of fact on these matters. People v. Ortiz , 196 Ill. 2d 236, 259, 256 Ill.Dec. 530, 752 N.E.2d 410 (2001).

¶ 34 1. Actual Minor

¶ 35 We consider first defendant's argument that, because no actual minor was involved, he could not be found guilty of involuntary sexual servitude of a minor. Section 10-9(c)(2) of the Criminal Code of 2012 (Criminal Code) ( 720 ILCS 5/10-9(c)(2) (West 2014) ) provides as follows:

"(c) Involuntary sexual servitude of a minor. A person commits involuntary sexual servitude of a minor when he or she knowingly recruits, entices, harbors, transports, provides, or obtains by any means, or attempts to recruit, entice, harbor, provide, or obtain by any means, another person under 18 years of age , knowing that the minor will engage in commercial sexual activity, a sexually-explicit performance, or the production of pornography, or causes or attempts to cause a minor to engage in one or more of those activities and:
* * *
(2) there is no overt force or threat and the minor is under the age of 17 years[.]" (Emphasis added.)

" 'Commercial sexual activity' means any sex act on account of which anything of value is given, promised to, or received by any person." Id. § 10-9(a)(2). Whether an actual minor is required for a conviction under section 10-9(c)(2) of the Criminal Code is a question of statutory interpretation, which we consider de novo . People v. Giraud , 2012 IL 113116, ¶ 6, 366 Ill.Dec. 748, 980 N.E.2d 1107.

¶ 36 Although the parties maintain that the issue is one of first impression, this court recently considered and rejected the argument now raised by defendant. See People v. Gaciarz , 2017 IL App (2d) 161102, 420 Ill.Dec. 789, 98 N.E.3d 406. Gaciarz involved the same undercover operation run by the Aurora Police Department, and the defendant was charged with the same offenses as defendant here. Id. ¶ 1. As in the present case, the defendant argued that he could not be found guilty of involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, because no actual minor was involved. Id. ¶ 32.

¶ 37 In rejecting the defendant's argument, we began by noting that, although the defendant was not charged with attempting to commit the offense under the separate attempt statute (see 720 ILCS 5/8-4(a) (West 2014) ("A person commits the offense of attempt when, with intent to commit a specific offense, he or she does any act that constitutes a substantial step toward the commission of that offense.") ), section 10-9 of the Criminal Code criminalized the attempted commission of the offense in the same manner as the completed crime. Gaciarz , 2017 IL App (2d) 161102, ¶ 31, 420 Ill.Dec. 789, 98 N.E.3d 406. There, as here, the indictment alleged that the "defendant knowingly attempted to obtain by any means a person under 18 years of age, knowing that the minor would engage in commercial sexual activity, and that there was no overt force or threat and the minor was under the age of 17 years." Id. ¶ 29.

¶ 38 We examined three federal cases involving the prosecution of attempted crimes involving nonexistent minors. Id. ¶¶ 33-38 ; see United States v. Wolff , 796 F.3d 972 (8th Cir. 2015) ; United States v. Coté , 504 F.3d 682 (7th Cir. 2007) ; United States v. Meek , 366 F.3d 705 (9th Cir. 2004). In Wolff , the defendant was charged with attempted sex trafficking of a minor, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1591 and 1594. Wolff , 796 F.3d at 972. The relevant portion of § 1591(a) stated that whoever knowingly " 'recruits, entices, harbors, transports, provides, obtains, or maintains by any means a person,' 'knowing, or in reckless disregard of the fact, ... that the person has not attained the age of 18 years and will be caused to engage in a commercial sex act,' has violated the law." Id. at 974 (quoting 18 U.S.C. § 1591(a) (2012) ). Under § 1594(a), an attempt to violate § 1591(a) is punishable " 'in the same manner as a completed violation of that section.' " Id. (quoting 18 U.S.C. § 1594(a) (2012) ). The Wolff defendant argued that the indictment was insufficient as a matter of law where there was no actual minor being trafficked. Id. The Eighth Circuit disagreed. The court noted that "a crime charged as an attempt has two elements: intent to commit the predicate offense, and conduct that is a substantial step toward its commission." (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Id. "[T]he government must prove the requisite intent applicable to the predicate offense, but proof of the ability to actually carry out the predicate offense is not required." Id. at 974-75. The court held that the defendant's "subjective intent to engage in a commercial sex act with someone he believed to be a minor female, and the substantial steps he took toward commission of that offense," constituted attempted sex trafficking. Id. at 975.

¶ 39 In both Coté and Meek , the defendants were charged with violating 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b), which provided in pertinent part:

"Whoever * * * knowingly persuades, induces, entices, or coerces any individual who has not attained the age of 18 years, to engage in * * * any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense, or attempts to do so , shall be [punished accordingly]." (Emphasis added.) 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b) (2000).

See also Coté , 504 F.3d at 685 ; Meek , 366 F.3d at 718. In both cases, the defendants had communicated with undercover officers, not with actual minors. See Coté , 504 F.3d at 683-84 ; Meek , 366 F.3d at 709-10.

¶ 40 In Meek , the defendant argued that he could not be found guilty where his communications had been with an undercover officer rather than a minor. Meek , 366 F.3d at 717. The Ninth Circuit rejected this argument, holding that an actual minor was not required for an attempt conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b). Meek , 366 F.3d at 717-18. Instead, the belief that a minor was involved was sufficient. Id. Similarly, in Coté , the Seventh Circuit rejected the defendant's argument that he could not be found guilty if he mistakenly believed that the victim was a minor. Coté , 504 F.3d at 687. Noting that "[the defendant] was prosecuted under the attempt provision of the statute," the court agreed "with every circuit that has considered the issue, that the Government's burden in such a case is to demonstrate, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the defendant intended to undertake one of the proscribed acts with respect to a minor." (Emphases in original.) Id. "[I]t was the subjective belief of [the defendant] that he was dealing with an underage girl that had to be proved to the jury." Id. at 688. The court thus held that to sustain an attempt conviction the government "was required to prove that [the defendant] acted with the specific intent to commit the underlying crime and that he took a substantial step towards completion of the offense." Id. at 687.

¶ 41 We next noted in Gaciarz that this court had also previously addressed the commission of attempted crimes involving nonexistent minors. Gaciarz , 2017 IL App (2d) 161102, ¶¶ 39-40, 420 Ill.Dec. 789, 98 N.E.3d 406 ; see People v. Scott , 318 Ill. App. 3d 46, 251 Ill.Dec. 630, 740 N.E.2d 1201 (2000) ; People v. Patterson , 314 Ill. App. 3d 962, 248 Ill.Dec. 534, 734 N.E.2d 462 (2000). For instance, in Scott , we held that the defendant could be found guilty of attempted predatory criminal sexual assault of a child when he engaged in sexually explicit communications via the Internet with a detective posing as a 12-year-old boy, arrived at an agreed-upon location, and confirmed that he would have had sex with the boy if the boy had been willing. Scott , 318 Ill. App. 3d at 49, 251 Ill.Dec. 630, 740 N.E.2d 1201. In Patterson , we held that the evidence was sufficient to prove the defendant guilty of attempted aggravated criminal sexual abuse where the defendant communicated via an Internet chat room with an officer posing as a 15-year-old boy, offered to perform oral sex on the boy, and thereafter arrived at the designated location.

Patterson , 314 Ill. App. 3d at 966, 248 Ill.Dec. 534, 734 N.E.2d 462.

¶ 42 Based on the above cases, we thus concluded that the lack of evidence establishing the existence of a purported minor did not preclude the State from proving an essential element of the offense in question. Gaciarz , 2017 IL App (2d) 161102, ¶ 42, 420 Ill.Dec. 789, 98 N.E.3d 406.

"[T]he sufficiency of the evidence in these types of cases turns on whether a defendant intended to commit a specific offense and whether he did anything that constituted a substantial step toward the commission of that offense." Id.

We adhere to our reasoning in Gaciarz , and we reject defendant's argument that the lack of an actual minor precluded the State from proving the offense at issue.

¶ 43 2. Intent to Solicit a Minor

¶ 44 We next consider defendant's argument that, in light of his "plausible denial," the State failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he intended to solicit sexual acts from a minor.

¶ 45 As noted, to prove him guilty of involuntary sexual servitude of a minor under the attempt provision of the statute, the State had to prove that defendant intended to obtain an individual under age 17 to engage in commercial sexual activity and that he took a substantial step toward the commission of that offense. Id. Here, defendant does not dispute that he committed a substantial step toward the commission of the offense. Indeed, there is no question that $150 was exchanged for sexual activity. Instead, defendant argues that the State failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he intended to solicit sexual activity from a minor. We disagree. The text messages between defendant and the "mother" make defendant's intent clear.

¶ 46 Although defendant claims that he did not intend to engage in sexual activity with any minor, only their mother, this claim is belied by the text messages. Upon responding to the ad, defendant was quickly informed that a mother was offering her two daughters, ages 14 and 15, for sexual activity. When defendant asked the "mother" if she did things, the "mother" responded, no, she was just teaching that day. When defendant asked the "mother" whether she would be in the room, she responded, no, she would leave and return once the time was up. Defendant's continuation of the conversation, after the "mother" made clear that she was not available for any sexual activity, but that her 14- and 15-year-old daughters were, clearly indicated his intent to engage in sexual activity with persons under the age of 17. Defendant asked what the rate was and what "they" were able to do, and the "mother" responded, "anything I tell them to." Defendant asked whether "they" would do "each other." The "mother" indicated that "15 does fs 14 is still learning but great hands." Defendant asked for clarification that "Fs" referred to "full service." Defendant confirmed that he was a "go" as long as the "mother" could assure him that he was safe.

¶ 47 The fact that defendant continued to engage in the conversation about sexual activity, after the "mother" made clear that she was not available, was sufficient to establish his intent to engage in sexual activity with the daughters. This intent, combined with his arrival at the designated location and his transmission of $150 to the "mother," was sufficient to sustain defendant's conviction of involuntary sexual servitude of a minor.

¶ 48 B. Admissibility of Text Messages

¶ 49 Defendant's final argument is that the trial court erred in admitting People's exhibit No. 2, the transcript of the text messages compiled by the LETS program.

¶ 50 "A trial court's decision to admit documentary evidence will not be reversed absent an abuse of discretion." People v. Chromik , 408 Ill. App. 3d 1028, 1046, 349 Ill.Dec. 543, 946 N.E.2d 1039 (2011). A trial court abuses its discretion where its decision is arbitrary, fanciful, or unreasonable or where no reasonable person would take the court's view. People v. Morgan , 197 Ill. 2d 404, 455, 259 Ill.Dec. 405, 758 N.E.2d 813 (2001).

¶ 51 As to a proper foundation for admission, text messages are treated like any other form of documentary evidence. See Chromik , 408 Ill. App. 3d at 1046-47, 349 Ill.Dec. 543, 946 N.E.2d 1039. A proper foundation is laid for the admission of documentary evidence when the document has been identified and authenticated. Id. at 1046, 349 Ill.Dec. 543, 946 N.E.2d 1039. Authentication of a document requires the proponent to present evidence that the document is what the proponent claims it to be. Id. ; see also Ill. R. Evid. 901(a) (eff. Jan. 1, 2011). The proponent need prove only a rational basis upon which the fact finder can conclude that the document did in fact belong to or was authored by the party alleged. See People v. Downin , 357 Ill. App. 3d 193, 203, 293 Ill.Dec. 371, 828 N.E.2d 341 (2005). The court's "finding of authentication is merely a finding that there is sufficient evidence to justify presentation of the offered evidence to the trier of fact and does not preclude the opponent from contesting the genuineness of the writing after the basic authentication requirements are satisfied." Id. at 202-03, 293 Ill.Dec. 371, 828 N.E.2d 341. If the court, after serving its screening function, allows the evidence to be admitted, the issue of the document's authorship is ultimately for the jury to determine. Id. at 203, 293 Ill.Dec. 371, 828 N.E.2d 341.

¶ 52 Documentary evidence, such as a text message, may be authenticated by either direct or circumstantial evidence. Id. Circumstantial evidence of authenticity includes such factors as appearance, contents, substance, and distinctive characteristics, which are to be considered with the surrounding circumstances. See id. Documentary evidence, therefore, may be authenticated by its contents if it is shown to contain information that would be known only by the alleged author of the document or, at the very least, by a small group of people including the alleged author. See id.

¶ 53 Here, we find no abuse of discretion, as there was direct and circumstantial evidence that the text transcript was what the State claimed it to be. Dean was the undercover officer who personally sent and received the text messages contained in People's exhibit No. 2. Dean testified that People's exhibit No. 2 was a transcript of the entire conversation between himself and defendant and affirmed that it had been recorded accurately. Swastek testified that he took defendant's phone after he was arrested. Defendant gave the officers his phone number, and it matched the number that Dean had been texting. Swastek further testified that he confirmed, line by line, that the text messages on the phone matched the text messages on the computer. In addition, defendant was told in the text messages to knock on a certain hotel room door, and he did so. When he entered the room, defendant confirmed with Siffermann that he wanted the full hour and was okay with the rate. In addition to Dean's and Swastek's testimony, defendant testified that People's exhibit No. 2 was a true and accurate representation of the text messages between himself and Dean. Based on the foregoing, we find no abuse of discretion.

¶ 54 We note that defendant seems to suggest, without expressly stating, that the text message transcript needed to be authenticated as a computer-generated record. For instance, he argues that neither Dean nor Swastek was trained to use the LETS program. He further argues that no one testified how the program worked, where the data was stored, or how the program compiled the data. However, defendant cites no authority to support the argument that the transcript should be treated as a computer-generated record. The failure to cite relevant authority is a violation of our supreme court's rule concerning an appellant's brief and forfeits our consideration of the argument. Ill. S. Ct. R. 341(h)(7) (eff. Nov. 1, 2017); Fortech, L.L.C. v. R.W. Dunteman Co. , 366 Ill. App. 3d 804, 818, 304 Ill.Dec. 201, 852 N.E.2d 451 (2006). In any event, as the State points out, "[c]omputer-generated records are the spontaneously created tangible results of the internal electrical and mechanical operations of a computer itself, which are not dependent upon the observations and reporting of a human declarant." People v. Kent , 2017 IL App (2d) 140917, ¶128, 415 Ill.Dec. 56, 81 N.E.3d 578 128. Here, the transcript was dependent on the input of Dean and defendant. Thus, we agree with the State that the transcript was not a computer-generated record.

¶ 55 III. CONCLUSION

¶ 56 For the reasons stated, we affirm the judgment of the circuit court of Kane County. As part of our judgment, we grant the State's request that defendant be assessed $50 as costs for this appeal. 55 ILCS 5/4-2002(a) (West 2016); see also People v. Nicholls , 71 Ill. 2d 166, 178, 15 Ill.Dec. 759, 374 N.E.2d 194 (1978).

¶ 57 Affirmed.

Presiding Justice Hudson and Justice Spence concurred in the judgment and opinion.

      LETS is an acronym for Law Enforcement Telecommunication System. See All Acronyms, https://allacronyms.com/LETS/Law_Enforcement_Telecommunication_System (last visited Feb. 13, 2018).

      Indeed, other than a string citation to four cases supporting our standard of review, the only case defendant does cite is nonprecedential. See People v. Augustine , 2016 IL App (2d) 141158-U, 2016 WL 1035722. Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 23(e)(1) (eff. July 1, 2011), such orders "may not be cited by any party except to support contentions of double jeopardy, res judicata , collateral estoppel or law of the case." In any event, Augustine does not support defendant's argument. In that case, we considered the admissibility of text messages extracted from the defendant's phone and, in so doing, expressly stated that "[t]o establish a proper foundation for admissibility, text messages are treated like any other form of documentary evidence." Augustine , 2016 IL App (2d) 141158-U, ¶ 42.