STATE v. FLORES (2006)

 In these two consolidated cases, defendant was convicted by a jury of multiple counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance (DCS), former ORS 475.992(1)(b) (2003), renumbered as ORS 475.840(1)(b) (2005), unlawful possession of a controlled substance (PCS), former ORS 475.992(4)(b) (2003), renumbered as ORS 475.840(3)(b) (2005), and delivery of controlled substance to a minor, former ORS 475.995 (2003), renumbered as ORS 475.906 (2005).   In Case No. 20-03-05629, the court ordered that the sentences imposed on two of defendant's convictions for delivery of a controlled substance to a minor be served consecutively, ORS 137.123, with the remaining sentences to be served concurrently.   In Case No. 20-03-20422A, the court imposed dispositional departure sentences on defendant's DCS and PCS convictions, based on its finding of defendant's involvement in “persistent similar criminal behavior.”   On appeal, defendant assigns error to the imposition of consecutive sentences in Case No. 20-03-05629 and to the imposition of departure sentences in Case No. 20-03-20422A, arguing that, in both instances, the court violated the principles articulated in Blakely v. Washington, 542 U.S. 296, 124 S.Ct. 2531, 159 L.Ed.2d 403 (2004), and Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000), by imposing sentences based on facts that were not admitted by defendant or found by a jury.   In addition, defendant argues that the trial court lacked a lawful basis, under ORS 137.123, for imposing consecutive sentences in Case No. 20-03-05629.   Defendant concedes that he did not advance any of these challenges below, but argues that we should review the sentences as plain error.

We reject defendant's statutory challenge to the imposition of consecutive sentences without discussion.   With respect to defendant's constitutional challenges, the trial court's imposition of consecutive sentences in Case No. 20-03-05629 was not plainly erroneous.  State v. Fuerte-Coria, 196 Or.App. 170, 100 P.3d 773 (2004), rev. den., 338 Or. 16, 107 P.3d 26 (2005).   Under our decision in State v. Ramirez, 205 Or.App. 113, 133 P.3d 343 (2006), however, the departure sentences imposed  by the court in Case No. 20-03-20422A were plainly erroneous.   For the reasons set forth in Ramirez, we exercise our discretion to correct the error.

Case No. 20-03-05629 affirmed.   Sentences in Case No. 20-03-20422A vacated;  remanded for resentencing;  otherwise affirmed.

PER CURIAM.