John Chiv: "Hi John. I've been directed to you. I have a story regarding the recent hire of a coach in Arcata that has a violent criminal record that I'm trying to bring to the attention of the public and media."

Oct 20, 2021

"Hi John. I've been directed to you. I have a story regarding the recent hire of a coach in Arcata that has a violent criminal record that I'm trying to bring to the attention of the public and media."

"Hi John. I've been directed to you. I have a story regarding the recent hire of a coach in Arcata that has a violent criminal record that I'm trying to bring to the attention of the public and media."

After I spoke with this person, he told me the school has not given a clear answer to him whether the coach has been hired or is in process of being hired, whether background checks and fingerprinting is outstanding but he believes the job offer was made last Tuesday.

James Monge is the Principal at Arcata High School. I have emailed him to ask if Cassion Jehial Bell is employed or is going to be employed, despite concerns raised.

Before approaching me, this person tried to talk to Bell, school administration several times and finally told them, he was going public.

"The head wrestling coach position at Arcata became available. I was aware of Cass Bell's criminal history. I have a child he would be coaching." This person approached Bell with his concerns.

"I made the athletic director aware. They emailed me back thanking me for my concerns and they would look into it. I had a feeling they would hire him so I called back two weeks later. They told me if there was an issue, they would not hire him. So, I went to the courthouse and got records of his files."

"The CR 1101460 has an assault and battery charge. He has been charged with assaulting a police officer, battery and grand theft."

This concerned parent and citizen provided me with court case numbers, has records from files, sent me school policy and emails exchanged with school administration. Every case number provided to me was in the e court system.

I checked out Bell's court cases and have added some screenshots. Bell has 7 criminal cases and one family support case. There are dismissals, convictions which later had petitions to expunge.

Until recently there was only one public computer available, there can be issues with limited access to these computers for various reasons. I have a busy schedule which is getting busier with several other exclusive and time consuming news stories I have yet to investigate and post. I dont have time to go over and post details of original charges and what ended up being eventual pleas. There is more than sufficient information enough I have provided from e court to raise valid concerns.

He told me "you come highly recommended by pillars respected in the community." He checked out my blog.

One of the concerns, this parent has is that due to the connections Bell this would be swept under the rug or spun in other media; especially other local media; by Bell and the school administration. Bell's criminal history may have the potential for a national story. After reading my blog, he chose to reach out to me.

I have already passed on the news tip to national media. This particular angle maybe too Humboldt specific. With all the other national news of interest, it may or may not make headlines.

Whether you read my blog regularly or have started to recently; for seven years, the regular readers are aware of the different treatment people get in Humboldt courts, in Humboldt and the selective coverage by other local media. When it comes to court cases or the way people are treated; there are different standards based on the Humboldt privilege. In a small, rural, isolated county that has significant consequences.

Would average Joe get the job with the same record as Bell? Not everyone can afford to get their records expunged or petitions even granted. Bell has only received positive publicity.

My experience with local school administrations is they either ignore and don't respond or go tell their spin to other local media who will not ask the tough questions. Will Bell's local sponsors react the same way some of his fans and friends have? They do not have an objective view.

With Bell involved, let's see how this story is handled. Will other local media follow up like they do on many scoops I report or ignore it like they do other inconvenient coverage?

For now, the concerned person who contacted me wishes to remain anonymous but the parties in this post are aware of who he is and future updates may have more information.