The man who held some 40 police at bay for four hours outside a Key Royale home nearly a year ago pleaded no contest April 10 to two misdemeanors — exhibition of a firearm and assault.
Gerald Harles II, 32, of Holmes Beach, was found guilty of the reduced charges.
Twelfth Circuit Judge Susan Maulucci sentenced Harles to a 12-month probation on the firearm charge and a consecutive six months probation for the assault.
The plea stems from Harles’ arrest after 911 calls brought officers from the Holmes Beach Police Department and Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to the 500 block of 68th Street in May 2016. The 911-callers told police they were afraid of their son, who was drunk and tearing up their house.
According to police reports, after HBPD officers came to their doorstep, Harles cocked a rifle behind his mother as she answered the door and the officers took cover behind their patrol vehicles.
Prior to his plea, Harles faced two felony aggravated assault charges, for threatening his parents and a police officer with a firearm.
In prior proceedings, Peter Lombardo, Harles’ attorney, told the court his client was asleep during most of the standoff.
“I was happy I was able to convince the state that this man was overcharged,” Lombardo said about the plea deal.
Harles was facing at least three years in prison, he said, adding his mother never wanted to pursue the charges.
The court order requires Harles to undergo an alcohol evaluation, complete an anger management course and perform 50 hours of public service.
“Given the costs that were paid and the sanctions we were looking for — the anger management and investigative costs — we do think the resolution was an appropriate one,” Assistant State Attorney Darlene Ragoonanan said.
She said the judge decided Harles could opt to “buy out” 25 hours at $10 per hour.
Harles was fined $575 in court costs, $50 for the cost of prosecution and investigative costs — $865.88 for the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and $925.21 for the HBPD.
HBPD Detective Sgt. Brian Hall said he was glad to hear Harles will pay restitution due to the extra manpower expended.
According to MCSO director of public information Dave Bristow, the $865 payment will reimburse MCSO for salaries.
A $50,000 cash bond was posted in the case.
Lombardo said the fines should be paid out of the cash bond.
Lombardo filed April 17 to modify Harles’ probation to excuse him from checking in with his probation officer before leaving Manatee County for work.
Lombardo also said he hopes the state will stipulate to the modification so Harles can occasionally perform real estate work out of the county.
Ragoonanan said April 21 the state had not made a decision on the proposed modification.