A NOKOMIS MAN IS BEHIND BARS AFTER VIOLATING HIS PROBATION BY DOING THE SAME THING THAT GOT HIM IN TROUBLE IN THE FIRST PLACE. AUTHORITIES SAY 49 YEAR OLD STEVEN BERHALTER WAS BUSTED IN 2009 FOR FITTING PEOPLE WITH HEARING AIDS WITHOUT A LICENSE, AND HE WAS CAUGHT AGAIN ON TUESDAY. THE ARREST REPORT SAYS BERHALTER FITTED A VICTIM WITH A HEARING AID AND SOLD IT TO HER IN AUGUST. HE INSTRUCTED HER TO PAY HIM IN CASH, AND THEN TOOK A CHECK FROM THE VICTIM MADE OUT TO HIM INSTEAD OF THE FRIENDSHIP HEARING AID CENTER ON PINEBROOK ROAD, THE PLACE HE WAS WORKING. AN EMPLOYEE TOLD AUTHORITIES HE HAD SEEN BERHALTER DO THE SAME THING OTHER TIMES AND HAD REPORTED IT TO THE OWNER OF THE BUSINESS, WHO HAPPENS TO BE BERHALTER’S FATHER-IN-LAW. BERHALTER WAS CHARGED WITH FOUR COUNTS OF DISPENSING A HEARING AID WITHOUT A LICENSE. HE IS BEING HELD ON $6000 DOLLARS BOND IN THE SARASOTA COUNTY JAIL.
