An inmate waiting for a district court date for failing to register as a sex offender now faces attempted murder and assault charges following a fray with a cellmate Thursday afternoon which left the victim in stable but critical condition.

Major Anzell Harris of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said the assault occurred in the detention center and that Robert E. Smith Jr., 29, assaulted his cellmate using his hands and feet. Harris said it was not clear what prompted the assault.

Deputies responded to the jail around 4:30. The victim was given treatment by the detention center nurse and detention officers until first responders arrived.

The assault initially left the victim in critical condition but Harris said this morning he is now in stable but critical condition.

Detective C. Watkins, Captain R. Rooks, and Jail Administrator M. Brown investigated the assault and Smith, of Weldon, was charged with attempted first-degree murder and assault inflicting serious bodily injury.

According to detention center records Smith had been admitted to jail in January for a charge of failing to register as a sex offender. There was a $30,000 secured bond placed on him for that charge.

He is now jailed without the opportunity for bond due to the assault.

According to the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry, Smith had been registered as a sex offender as a result of an out-of-state conviction in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana for pornography involving juveniles. The offense date was December 16, 2017 and he was convicted on March 5, 2020. He was released from custody in Louisiana on December 30, 2023.

He is registered as a sex offender for a minimum of 10 years.

Smith has a March 27 district court date for the assault charges and failing to register charge, according to detention center records.