Carteret man charged with shooting into car, homes

A Carteret County man was arrested Sunday night after a shooting incident during which he is accused of firing a gun at a motorist and two houses along N.C. 101.

John Nesi Jr., 47, of 5214 Highway 101, Newport, was arrested by the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office on charges of going armed to the terror of the public, discharging a weapon into a moving vehicle, injury to real property, injury to personal property, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, two counts of discharging a weapon into a residence and possession of a stolen firearm.

According to information from the sheriff’s office, deputies responded to a call in reference to a man with a gun at approximately 9:40 p.m. Sunday and determined that Nesi had fired several rounds from a stolen 40-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun at two residences and several rounds from a 12-gauge shotgun at a Chevy truck being driven by a passing motorist.

The vehicle was traveling east on N.C. 101 toward Beaufort, and the two residences are located on N.C. 101 near the Carteret and Craven County line.

Relatives indicated that Nesi was intoxicated and they were able to get the weapons away from him and hold him down until deputies arrived at the scene, Lt. Tom Maulshagen said.

Deputies recovered eight 40-caliber spent rounds in addition to the weapon, which authorities say was reported stolen in 2009. The shotgun and 11 spent shotgun shells, and numerous other weapons, were also seized from Nesi’s residence, according to a release.

Nesi was placed in the Carteret County Jail under a $200,000 bond.

According to N.C. Department of Correction records, Nesi has convictions for felony breaking and entering, larceny and possession of stolen goods, as well as other charges.