SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla.– The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has concluded an investigation into a reported incident involving 18-year-old Cornell Harris III, who filmed himself being followed by three men—Romulo Nobrega, 36; Stephen Carega, 41; and Geffrey Gardner, 43—while walking through the Skye Ranch neighborhood.
A video of the encounter circulated on social media, with some posts falsely suggesting that a firearm was involved, according to Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman.
According to Hoffman, detectives were assigned to investigate the incident immediately. They reviewed multiple videos, interviewed several witnesses, and canvassed the area.
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Witnesses claimed that Harris allegedly made inappropriate comments to female residents, which prompted Nobrega, Carega, and Gardner to confront him. At one point, Carega reportedly retrieved a wooden stick from his vehicle but was kept at a distance of 30 to 36 feet from Harris by another resident.
An off-duty Sarasota County Sheriff’s sergeant, alerted by a neighbor, intervened and determined that Harris was walking lawfully as a guest of his mother, who resides in the neighborhood. The sergeant instructed the men to stop following Harris, allowing him to continue on his way.
After reviewing all evidence, the Sheriff’s Office concluded that no criminal charges were warranted, as the elements required for an assault charge were not met. Sheriff Hoffman emphasized the importance of avoiding confrontations and advised residents to seek law enforcement assistance in similar situations.
The case is now officially closed, Hoffman said.
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