Englewood man chokes Sarasota medical worker with stethoscope

A dispute over prescription pain pills turned violent at a south Sarasota clinic Monday, when 52-year-old John Connolly allegedly choked a healthcare worker with his own stethoscope.

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office charged Connolly with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon for the attack on Sarasota Family Medical Walk-In Clinic physician’s assistant Jeffrey Goldstein, which occurred after Connolly complained pills he was recently prescribed “did not meet his satisfaction,” according to a probable cause affidavit. 

Connolly had yelled profanities after learning Goldstein could not offer him a different prescription, and left the building. The Englewood resident returned after several minutes and assaulted Goldstein in a back hallway, resulting in visible marks on his neck.

Connolly is being held without bail at the Sarasota County Jail.