Seamster v. State

2020 Ark. App. 26

593 S.W.3d 27

Evelyn Faye SEAMSTER, Appellant

v.STATE of Arkansas, Appellee

No. CR-19-412

Court of Appeals of Arkansas, DIVISION III.

Opinion Delivered: January 15, 2020

Phillip A. McGough, P.A., North Little Rock, by: Phillip A. McGough, for appellant.

One brief only.

KENNETH S. HIXSON, Judge

Appellant Evelyn Seamster pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, and on August 2, 2016, the trial court entered a sentencing order placing Seamster on six years' probation. Seamster's written conditions of probation required her to report to her probation officer as directed and to pay a fine of $2000 and other costs at a rate of $60 per month. Seamster's conditions also prohibited her from using or possessing controlled substances.

On April 2, 2018, the State filed a petition to revoke Seamster's probation, alleging that she violated her conditions by failing to report to probation, failing to pay her fine and costs, and testing positive for cocaine. After a revocation hearing held on March 19, 2019, the trial court found that Seamster violated her conditions as alleged by the State. On March 26, 2019, the trial court entered a sentencing order revoking Seamster's probation and sentencing her to six years in prison. Seamster now appeals from the revocation of her probation. We affirm.

Pursuant to Anders v. California , 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967), and Arkansas Supreme Court Rule 4-3(k)(1), Seamster's counsel has filed a motion to be relieved on the grounds that this appeal is wholly without merit. Seamster's counsel's motion was accompanied by a brief discussing all matters in the record that might arguably support an appeal, including any objections and motions made by appellant and denied by the trial court, and a statement of the reason each point raised cannot arguably support an appeal. Seamster was provided with a copy of her counsel's brief and notified of her right to file pro se points for reversal, but she has not filed any points.

Seamster's probation officer, Sharnell Yolanda Huff, testified that the primary reason for filing the petition to revoke Seamster's probation was because she had quit reporting. Huff testified that Seamster last reported to probation on October 26, 2017. Seamster was directed to report again in November 2017, but she failed to report then or at any time thereafter.

Huff also testified about Seamster's other probation violations. Huff stated that Seamster tested positive for cocaine on August 15, 2017. Huff further stated that Seamster had made no payments toward her fine and costs.¹

Seamster testified on her own behalf. She acknowledged that she had failed to pay her fine and costs and had quit reporting to her probation officer. Seamster stated that she had lost her husband the year before being placed on probation and that she was severely depressed. She stated that she has medical problems, including asthma and COPD, which prevent her from working. Seamster did, however, acknowledge that she receives monthly disability income. Seamster indicated that she quit reporting or contacting her probation officer because she was afraid to go to jail. She said that she can and...