STATE v. GUNTER (2005)

 Defendant was convicted on counts of first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, first-degree kidnapping, and second-degree robbery;  he received sentences on those convictions totaling 620 months.   On appeal, defendant challenges his convictions and sentences on various grounds.   We reject defendant's challenges to his convictions without discussion.

 With respect to his sentences, defendant argues, among other things, that the sentencing court imposed upward departure sentences based on facts not admitted by defendant nor found by the jury.   Although the parties dispute whether that argument was preserved below, we have held that an upward departure based on facts not admitted by the defendant nor found by the jury constitutes error apparent on the face of the record.  State v. Perez, 196 Or.App. 364, 102 P.3d 705 (2004), rev. allowed, 338 Or. 488, 113 P.3d 434 (2005).   The trial court, therefore, plainly erred in departing on defendant's kidnapping, sodomy, and unlawful penetration convictions based on its own findings of deliberate cruelty and permanent injury to the victim.   Accordingly, we exercise our discretion to review the error for the reasons stated in Perez, and we vacate defendant's sentences and remand for resentencing.¹

Sentences vacated;  remanded for resentencing;  otherwise affirmed.

FOOTNOTES

1.   Because we vacate defendant's sentences and remand for resentencing, we need not address defendant's remaining arguments regarding the lawfulness of his sentences.

PER CURIAM.