Lonnie Kauk Found Guilty of Domestic Violence

Surprised how little publicity this is getting. Lonnie found guilty for strangling his girlfriend to the point of passing out back in 2023. Followed by an apparent seizure (she had a history of seizures). History of domestic abuse. Climbing magazine has an article with limited detail. The Sheet News has an article with a lot more detail.

Very reminiscent of Charles Barrett stuff: "Others, deeply involved in the climbing and splitboarding communities, knew of Kauk’s notoriety and felt “uncomfortable” with the idea that if they found him guilty, it would be embarrassing for them at the crag"

If I remember correctly, wasn't Lonnie one of the few people who cam eout strongly against CB?

God, what a messed up world.

How long until MP admins censor this? 

I always used to hear he's a little bit sketchy. I'm not too surprised. He also seemed pretty chill in person. Hope it's not a recurring thing. Best wishes to those involved. 

Matt Beyer wrote:

 The Sheet News has an article with a lot more detail.

https://thesheetnews.com/2025/04/17/this-time-the-accused/

From https://www.sfgate.com/california/article/jury-finds-california-climber-guilty-20294795.php 

After a trial that ended on April 18 at the Mono County Superior Court in Mammoth Lakes, a jury found Lonnie Kauk guilty of felony charges for domestic violence and strangulation, criminal threats and vandalism of the victim’s car, said Timina Gilfoy, who works at the district attorney’s office. Kauk was also found guilty of a misdemeanor for domestic violence.

Mark Foster wrote:

How long until MP admins censor this? 

Genuinely what is with mp admin deleting stuff that would protect the climbing community? It’s like they’re on the side of whoever behaves the absolute worst and against discussion of any of it.

Mark Foster wrote:

How long until MP admins censor this? 

Just like they deleted your post on RA thread. Such pathetic weaksauce. Would love to hear what part of your account was “disputed.”

maybe LK can hit up the mp admins and claim the conviction is “disputed,” so they can quash this thread as well. Truly pathetic, MP. 

There are additional details posted on WF

wake and bake wrote:

There are additional details posted on WF

As there always are. 

Personal business between him his lawyers and the cops and should hav nothing to do with us. Good climber but unless you are personally involved don’t think everybody else should be. 

Shouldn’t the world at large know about abusers? Especially when it appears in the general media first? The climbing world covered up for Charlie Barret long enough that he had multiple victims.

Predatory behavior isn’t private. 

Jeff Sewell wrote:

WF? 

Not Russ's Wide Fetish forum, no....?

Wide Fetish, where DMT, LEB and the other coolios hang out 

Kevinmurray wrote:

Personal business between him his lawyers and the cops and should hav nothing to do with us. Good climber but unless you are personally involved don’t think everybody else should be. 

Exhibit A about how CB was able to get away with his sh** for so long… because people take ostrich attitudes like this.

Kevinmurray wrote:

Personal business between him his lawyers and the cops and should hav (sic) nothing to do with us. Good climber but unless you are personally involved don’t think everybody else should be. 

Who is this "us" you speak of? I see "us" as being "We the People" and we the people have an interest in stopping domestic violence.

I don’t say this as any defense for Lonnie. But what is the correct way to respond to allegations on the internet? Subsequently what is the correct way to respond to convictions (like with Lonnie)? I could write a whole post about how Lonnie is scum but what is that worth. Lonnie himself wrote a whole post about how Charlie Barrett was scum. But at the same time I don’t want people to think I support people like Lonnie.

I want the judicial system to punish those guilty of crimes and I want those that are innocent to be found not guilty. I want people to have a chance for redemption but also accountability.

In my local climbing area not one but two developers are on trial for murder. No one knows. But also no one has any idea who bolted the climbs they do.

sounds like you are channeling john salathe 

vy can't ve chust clim

T Taylor wrote:

I don’t say this as any defense for Lonnie. But what is the correct way to respond to allegations on the internet? Subsequently what is the correct way to respond to convictions (like with Lonnie)? I could write a whole post about how Lonnie is scum but what is that worth. Lonnie himself wrote a whole post about how Charlie Barrett was scum. But at the same time I don’t want people to think I support people like Lonnie.

I want the judicial system to punish those guilty of crimes and I want those that are innocent to be found not guilty. I want people to have a chance for redemption but also accountability.

In my local climbing area not one but two developers are on trial for murder. No one knows. But also no one has any idea who bolted the climbs they do.

You don't have to respond, but if you feel compelled to, do so with the thought that the victim and their families may read your comments

this is human nature..  we worship people who are good at sports or have somehow garnered fame and then are surprised when we find out they are assholes. Then we waste time and print space reveling in their fall from grace...  this is the reason tabloids make so much money... 

Climbing Weasel wrote:

Genuinely what is with mp admin deleting stuff that would protect the climbing community? It’s like they’re on the side of whoever behaves the absolute worst and against discussion of any of it.

MP stands behind their policies regarding bullying, harassment, defamation, etc. It's a good policy. Except the admins misunderstand their assignment. Are they okay with being complicit in concealment of the truth when the stakes mean the lives or safety of others? These are not private individuals and as such, do not enjoy the same protections as people who have not chosen to be in the public eye. That is the sacrifice they made when they sought fame and notoriety. The recent post about RA has been locked. They removed comments that included the personal experience of a person who was seriously endangered by the actions of RA, who has lied to the entire climbing community about who he is and about his climbing experience. The same goes for the Barrett case. These stories should be out there as a cautionary tale to the potentially vulnerable in this community. 

MP admins don't want to decide who's right or wrong, but they are doing exactly that by selectively deleting comments and material. It doesn't look good. This is a forum. 

Nick Goldsmith wrote:

this is human nature..  we worship people who are good at sports or have somehow garnered fame and then are surprised when we find out they are assholes. Then we waste time and print space reveling in their fall from grace...  this is the reason tabloids make so much money... 

100% agree with you there.
I think next though is what the community does internally.

When I was in the Army, if we had a piece of crap like this, they not only got the hammer from command, but everyone in unit made their life hell. On the other hand, in law enforcement they tended to "protect their own" (which I don't agree with)

There are poop bags in both worlds, and lots of really good people too. But law enforcement gets a bad wrap because of how they tend to handle their bad eggs.

Before I go on ranting, as long as we as community make it clear we do not back this behavior, I think we are ok. 

Miranda Fengel wrote:

MP stands behind their policies regarding bullying, harassment, defamation, etc. It's a good policy. Except the admins misunderstand their assignment. Are they okay with being complicit in concealment of the truth when the stakes mean the lives or safety of others? These are not private individuals and as such, do not enjoy the same protections as people who have not chosen to be in the public eye. That is the sacrifice they made when they sought fame and notoriety. The recent post about RA has been locked. They removed comments that included the personal experience of a person who was seriously endangered by the actions of RA, who has lied to the entire climbing community about who he is and about his climbing experience. The same goes for the Barrett case. These stories should be out there as a cautionary tale to the potentially vulnerable in this community. 

MP admins don't want to decide who's right or wrong, but they are doing exactly that by selectively deleting comments and material. It doesn't look good. This is a forum. 

Wow the gutless MP mods have already locked the thread about your new book about the alleged scammer Rand Abbott.  A real shame. I look forward to reading it.