Two Greenville men are locked up on felony charges after warrants accused them of soliciting gang activity, robbing, and beating a man described in court paperwork as an associate of a rival gang. Niguel Harris, 25, and Na'sier Smith, 20, are both facing one felony count of soliciting gang activity, one felony count of common law robbery, and a misdemeanor simple assault charge.
Warrants Detail a Coordinated Beating and Robbery
According to WITN, the Greenville Police Department arrested Harris and Smith in connection with an assault on a man identified in the warrants as an associate of a rival gang tied to Smith. Per court documents, Harris and Smith acted alongside a male validated gang member during the incident, and two other individuals also allegedly struck the victim, per the warrants.
Court documents cited in the station's report indicate Harris and Na'sier Smith assaulted and robbed the man, taking a camouflage book bag from him during the confrontation. The warrants say Smith assaulted the individual by punching and kicking him numerous times, and separately allege the same conduct by Harris. Both men were booked into the Pitt County Detention Center.
What the Gang Solicitation Charge Means Under State Law
The felony gang solicitation charge against both men stems from North Carolina's Criminal Gang Suppression Act, which makes soliciting, encouraging, or coercing another person to participate in criminal gang activity a standalone felony offense, according to the North Carolina General Assembly. Under state law, a criminal gang is an ongoing group of three or more persons whose primary activities include criminal or delinquent acts and that shares a common name, sign, or symbol. The statute also addresses gang-related sentencing enhancements.
Both men also face common law robbery and simple assault charges.
Greenville Police Arrest Two Men
The Greenville Police Department arrested Harris and Smith in connection with the alleged assault.
Bond Decisions Now Fall to a District Court Judge
Harris and Smith have first court appearances scheduled for Monday in Pitt County. Because of North Carolina's Pretrial Integrity Act, which took effect in October 2023, magistrates are barred from granting pretrial release for specified violent felonies and repeat offenses — meaning a District Court judge, rather than a magistrate, must set any bond conditions for the two men, per the UNC School of Government.
It remains unclear whether additional suspects will face charges connected to the alleged assault, since warrants indicate at least two other individuals struck the victim beyond Harris and Smith. The identity and gang validation status of the rival gang associate named in the warrants has not been detailed publicly. Both men remain behind bars at the Pitt County Detention Center ahead of Monday's hearing.
