THE Superior Court clerk of court has issued a penal summons to Tiepo A. Nikiti who was ordered to appear before Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja on Nov. 16 at 9 a.m.
Nikiti, 21, was accused of assaulting Steven Koch on Oct. 29, 2021 on Freedom Drive, Chinatown.
A warrant may be issued for the arrest of Nikiti if he fails to appear in court on Nov. 16.
Nikiti and Rep. Vicente Castro Camacho, 60, were each charged with assault and battery, and disturbing the peace.
According to the official charging documents filed in court, Nikiti and Camacho “did willfully and unreasonably annoy or disturb Steven L. Koch and/or [his daughter] Melanie C. Koch, depriving them of their right to peace and quiet, to wit: defendant approached Steven L. Koch and Melanie C. Koch, while they were walking on a public street, in a threatening manner and engaged in a physical confrontation with Steven L. Koch, in violation of 6 CMC § 3101(a).”
Court documents added that Nikiti and Camacho, “on or about Oct. 29 did unlawfully strike, beat, wound, or otherwise caused bodily harm to Steven L. Koch, to wit: defendants did strike Steven L. Koch with his hand, in violation of 6 CMC § 1202(a).”
Assault and battery are punishable by a maximum prison sentence of up to one year and $1,000 fine, or both. Disturbing the peace is punishable by a maximum sentence not to exceed six months’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $500, or both.
The other individual who was also accused of assaulting Koch is reported to be a 14-year-old juvenile. No information about him is available to the public.
Camacho, 60, was arrested by the Department of Public Safety on the evening of Nov. 2, 2021, but he immediately posted $1,250 cash bail and is out of custody.
Koch suffered abrasions, bruising, and pain on his head and body from the blows, and was taken to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. for examination.
On Nov. 1, Koch, his wife and daughter asked the Superior Court to issue a temporary restraining order prohibiting Camacho, Nikiti, Ignacio “Ike” S. Concepcion and Fiel Reynaldo Ortiz “from engaging in any further physical harm, disturbance, harassment, blocking, threats and verbal abuse.”
The assault incident stemmed from a long-standing animosity between Koch and his brother-in-law, Concepcion, and it took place near the homes of Koch and Concepcion on Freedom Drive, Chinatown around 11 p.m. on Oct. 29.
On Nov. 12, Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho found cause for domestic violence, and issued a temporary restraining order and one-year protective order against Rep. Camacho, Nikiti, Concepcion and Ortiz.
