State v. Ford

Citations

• 2026 Ohio 348

Syllabus

Engaging in pattern of corrupt activity, predicate offenses, enterprise, R.C. 2923.32, theft, R.C. 2913.02, sufficiency of the evidence, manifest weight of the evidence. Ford appealed three felony theft convictions, arguing that the State did not provide credible evidence about the value of the stolen items as required to determine the classification of each theft. The manifest weight of the evidence supported all three theft convictions where the State's witnesses testified as to the value of the stolen merchandise, their basis of knowledge thereof, and where Ford did not introduce contradictory evidence or identify substantial inconsistencies in the estimates of value provided by the State's witnesses. Ford also appealed the sufficiency of the evidence and manifest weight of the evidence regarding his conviction for engaging in pattern of corrupt activity, which was based on these same thefts. Evidence supported this conviction where record, including surveillance video, showed that Ford and codefendant stole cigarettes together in the same manner, arriving together in the same vehicle, at least three times in less than five months. That Ford's codefendant had been charged, in other incidents, with stealing items other than cigarettes with individuals other than Ford did not preclude a finding that an enterprise existed between Ford and codefendant.