New federal sentencing dates have been set for two defendants in separate cases, according to court documents.

Michael Christopher Harris

Originally scheduled for sentencing today, Harris’s new sentencing date is April 4.

The change in sentencing date came after Harris’s attorney learned of a family issue which prevented him from appearing in court today. The government had no objections.

On July 6, 2022, Harris, of Roanoke Rapids, pleadede guilty pursuant to a plea agreement to felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Harris had initially maintained his innocence but then pleaded guilty to one of the two federal counts lodged against him.

The federal charges he faces are tied to two separate shooting investigations which took place in Northampton County.

Bryan Riccaldo

Meanwhile a May 8 sentencing date was set for one of two men who court documents have tied to a reputed Rocky Mount gang leader.

The attorney, who requested the continuance in the case of Bryan Walter Riccaldo last week, requested a court date in May.

Court documents tie Riccaldo and his co-defendant Yacine Rahmani to Tyrone “Ty Nitty” Foreman, the reputed leader of a United Blood set which operates a heroin and fentanyl distribution ring in Nash and Edgecombe counties.

There has been no action taken by the court on Rahmani’s motion to have his guilty plea withdrawn, a request that was made in 2021.

Foreman is set for sentencing on January 23 before District Judge James C. Dever III in Raleigh.

Rahmani and Riccaldo were stopped in 2020 by the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office on a return trip to New York after reportedly supplying Foreman with heroin in Rocky Mount, according to a criminal complaint filed in Foreman’s case.

A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of 47 bricks of heroin and approximately 1 pound of marijuana. It is believed the drugs were being returned to New York because of an issue with the supply.