While I appreciate the tip and the readers' intent about a serious issue, making the leap and painting a connection between athletes and domestic violence is a far stretch when no charges have been filed; identity of one person isn't proven and with only two examples

Chantachone John Phounleuth was arrested yesterday by HCSO for PC 243 (e) (1) domestic battery, which is a misdemeanor in California.

A reader sent me the following email on 12/9/25. The reader's identity is confidential.

"Dear Mr Chiv,

There seems to be a connection between the MMA article featured in the  Times Standard and today's "Booked" column on the Lost Coast Outpost website.  While I am sure you have already noticed this, I felt I should bring it to your attention in case other matters were keeping you busy.  

Both mention people named Chantachone Phounleuth.  I have no idea if they are the same person, but as there is an uneasy connection between athletes and domestic violence, I felt there might be some newsworthiness involved."

The reader is obviously referring to the coverage I did on Cass Bell's most recent arrest. So far, the Humboldt County DA has not filed any charges and as I explained in my last post about Bell's latest arrest; I doubt the DA will. 

This is the Times Standard article the reader is referring to.

The photo of the Chantachone Phounleuth in the TS article makes it hard to compare to the booking photo from yesterday's arrest.

Even this Facebook profile photo makes it hard to definitively say if the person arrested yesterday is the same; especially since people do not use current photos on social media.

A google search in Humboldt County and Eureka brings up virtually nothing about Chantachone  Phounleuth.

While the alleged victim or other participant in the Bell incident belongs to a gym and may have a MMA connection; neither Bell or Phounleuth have been charged. At this moment, it has been not been proven that the Chantachone Phounleuth arrested yesterday is the same person from the TS article more than a decade ago.

While I appreciate the tip and the readers' intent about a serious issue, making the leap and painting a connection between athletes and domestic violence is a far stretch when no charges have been filed; identity of one person isn't proven and with only two examples.

There are far too many arrests for domestic violence in Humboldt County but even with the court cases I have covered; arrests do not always result in convictions and in rare cases; charges do not even make it beyond the initial arrest.

Part of the reason I did the post was because anyone can do an online search, speculate, look up jail reports but the standards of what is news worthy should be left up to the reporter who will research and vet information. The reader who sent me the tip left it up to me to determine if it was news worthy and followed the proper procedure by emailing me. I appreciate that because many others rush to conclusions and post unsubstantiated information in comment sections. I do not allow that on my page and moderate. Those who get upset with me need to start their own site and accept responsibility for what they post.