[Cite as State v. Richardson, 2021-Ohio-2751.] IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO STATE OF OHIO, : APPEAL NO. C-200187 TRIAL NO. B-1906312B Plaintiff-Appellee, : vs. : O P I N I O N. WILLIAM RICHARDSON, : Defendant-Appellant. : Criminal Appeal From: Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas Judgment Appealed From Is: Affirmed Date of Judgment Entry on Appeal: August 11, 2021 Joseph T. Deters, Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney, and H. Keith Sauter, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for Plaintiff-Appellee, Matthew S. Schuh, for Defendant-Appellant. OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS WINKLER, Judge. {¶1} After pleading no contest, defendant-appellant William Richardson was convicted of one count of possession of drugs under R.C. 2925.11(A) and one count of illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia under R.C. 2925.14(C)(1). He now appeals those convictions. We find no merit in his sole assignment of error, and we affirm the trial court’s judgment. {¶2} The record shows that Norwood police officers Ryan Harrison and Nathan Fornash were dispatched to 2744 Norwood Avenue for what Officer Harrison described as “family trouble.” Officer Fornash stated that the cause of the disturbance was Theodore Steinle. Steinle’s mother had called police asking them to talk to him and get him off the property. {¶3} When the officers arrived, Steinle’s mother directed them to the back of the house where they saw two men standing next to a car in the driveway and talking. Officer Fornash approached one of the men, who identified himself as Steinle. Steinle provided Officer Fornash with his identification, which revealed that Steinle had open warrants. Officer Fornash arrested him. While searching Steinle, the officer discovered what appeared to be methamphetamine in Steinle’s possession. {¶4} While Officer Fornash was searching Steinle, Officer Harrison noticed Richardson “moving to the opposite side of the car” and “making some strange movements.” Officer Harrison stated, “He kind of went to an angle that we couldn’t see him very well. He dipped down and started reaching down towards the ground.” At that point, Officer Harrison, who had been an officer for nine years and had made approximately 100 drug arrests per year, was “very suspicious” that Richardson possessed drugs. 2 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS {¶5} When Richardson came back around the car to approach Officer Harrison, the officer asked Richardson if he had anything illegal on his person. He stated that although he did not remember Richardson’s exact words, he said something along the lines of “I don’t have anything on me, you can search.” Richardson opened his coat pockets and took out “a couple of things.” According to Officer Harrison, Richardson put his hands on the trunk of the car and “kind of stepped back and took a side stance with his feet. It’s kind of what’s depicted in the movies, as you would see a police officer search somebody.” When the officer searched Richardson, he found a baggie of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. {¶6} While dealing with Steinle, Officer Fornash heard Officer …
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