AFTER a show-cause hearing on Monday, Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho granted a one-year temporary restraining order against Rep. Vicente C. Camacho, Ignacio “Ike” Salas Concepcion, a tenant/worker of Concepcion named “Reynaldo,” and two other individuals.
Rep. Vicente Camacho, center, leaves the courtroom with attorney Michael White, left, after a show-cause hearing on Monday regarding a petition for a TRO against him and four other individuals.
Judge Camacho, who is not related to the lawmaker, granted Steven Koch’s petition for TRO and protective order.
Koch said he was assaulted by Vicente Camacho, the lawmaker’s two nephews and an employee or tenant of Concepcion.
The incident, which stemmed from a long-standing animosity between Koch and his brother-in-law, Concepcion, took place near the homes of Koch and Vicente Camacho on Freedom Drive, Chinatown at approximately 11 p.m. on Oct. 29, 2021.
At the hearing, Koch’s attorney, Charity Hodson, requested the court to order Concepcion to move out of the Concepcion family house on Freedom Drive.
But the request was denied by Judge Camacho who said the issue is for the probate court to decide.
Representative Camacho, who was represented by attorney Michael White, conceded to the request for a TRO and did not object to the granting of the petition.
White, however, asked that Rep. Camacho be allowed access to Freedom Drive to Concepcion’s residence, and be allowed to use the Airport Road near the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport where Koch works.
Judge Camacho ordered Rep. Camacho to stay away from Freedom Drive, but added that the lawmaker could use Airport Road on occasion.
As for Ignacio “Ike” Concepcion, he appeared without a lawyer, and conceded to the request for TRO.
Tenant/worker “Reynaldo” also appeared without a lawyer. He told the court that he was surprised that he was included in the request for a TRO.
Reynaldo said he was not at the residence of Concepcion on the night of Oct. 29, 2021, but he also conceded to the request for a TRO against him.
The Office of the Attorney General criminal division has filed a separate criminal charge against Rep. Camacho and one of his nephews.
Rep. Camacho, 60, was arrested on the evening of Nov. 2, 2021, but he immediately posted $1,250 cash bail and is out of custody.
He was charged with assault and battery, and disturbing the peace.
He is scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment on Nov. 16 at 9 a.m. in courtroom 202A in connection with the criminal case against him.
“Tiepo A. Nikiti, 21, one of the individuals who is also alleged to have participated in the crime with Mr. Camacho will also be arraigned on Nov. 16 for assault and battery and [disturbing the peace],” chief prosecutor Chester Hinds said.
The other individual also accused of assaulting Koch is reported to be a 14-year-old juvenile.
Koch suffered abrasions, bruising, and pain on his head and body from the blows, and was taken to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. for examination.
