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This is a developing story and will be updated periodically with new information.
On April 18, professional rock climber and snowboarder Lonnie Kauk, 44, was convicted of three counts of felony domestic violence and one count of misdemeanor domestic violence in Mono County Superior Court.
The charges relate to a single altercation on June 22, 2023, with his then-girlfriend, Riley Hancock. Paige Fisher first reported the story at The Sheet News, which covers California’s Highway 394 Corridor. “The photos of [Hancock] submitted as evidence show a bruised handprint on her neck, which expert witness Regina D’Aquilla, a forensic nurse, identified as being consistent with manual strangulation,” wrote Fisher, who attended part of Kauk’s four-day trial.
Mono County Deputy District Attorney Lauren Ryerson, who prosecuted the case, tells Climbing that Kauk was found guilty of three felonies, including domestic violence/strangulation, criminal threats, and vandalism of the victim’s car. He was also found guilty of an additional domestic violence misdemeanor. “The victim was very brave to come forward and tell the truth in this case, given Mr. Kauk’s status in the climbing community,” says Ryerson.
Raised in Yosemite Valley, Kauk is a boulderer and trad climber best known for making the first redpoint of Magic Line (5.14c), as well as repeats of several highball boulders in the Sierras. Kauk also operates an apparel company called Magic Line and has gained sponsorship from Monster Energy, DC Shoes, and other outdoor brands. Magic Line was first established by his father, climbing legend Ron Kauk, a prolific first ascensionist in Yosemite.
When convicted sexual abuser Charles Barrett was still at large, Kauk witnessed part of Barrett’s assault of Bonnie Hedlund, and later told federal investigators that Barrett had asked him to lie in court about what happened. “Dude, you crossed the line and now you are going to jail,” he told Barrett, who was later sentenced to life in prison.
Sentencing for Kauk is scheduled to take place on June 23.