A domestic dispute over a bong turned violent Thursday when a Centralia man allegedly punched his roommate with brass knuckles.
Charles G. Cheney, 40, made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Friday to face one count of second-degree assault (domestic violence), a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Cheney is also charged with a dangerous weapon violation, a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail.
Referring to the alleged attack, Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney Jonathan Meyer said, “It doesn’t get much dumber than that.”
“So, if he’s going to break out brass knuckles for something as tiny as that, I hate to see what happens when life truly gets hard,” Meyer said.
Meyer requested a bail of $100,000 cash or bond, along with a protection order on behalf of the alleged victim, citing concerns for community safety and Cheney’s 20 past arrest warrants.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller asked for no more than $20,000 in bail. Tiller said the defendant understood the protection order was standard practice.
Tiller noted that Cheney has only one felony conviction and said she saw no other assault-like behavior when reviewing Cheney’s criminal history.
According to court documents, Cheney was convicted of attempting to elude a police vehicle in 2023.
At the time of his latest arrest, Cheney reportedly had two active warrants. Tiller said Cheney was aware he needed to clear those matters.
Judge Paul Strophy said he had some concern Cheney wouldn’t return to court without bail, given his warrant history. He added that the nature of the allegations also posed some concern for community safety.
Strophy set bail at $50,000 cash or bond and granted the state’s request for a no-contact order and an order for Cheney to surrender any dangerous weapons within his possession.
As part of his release conditions, Cheney is prohibited from consuming alcohol or any non-prescribed drugs.
According to a Centralia Police Department press log, officers responded to a reported dispute in the 500 block of Warren Street at about 6:25 p.m. Thursday.
In their probable cause affidavit, prosecutors said the reporting person told officers Cheney had assaulted the victim with brass knuckles and then fled on foot.
A responding officer arrived at the scene. He saw the victim, who reportedly had “blood coming from his head and a visible cut on his left eyelid,” according to the affidavit.
The victim told the officer the argument began after he had loaded a bong that belonged to Cheney. According to the victim, Cheney grabbed the bong and went into his bedroom.
This upset the victim. The two men argued. At some point, the victim alleged, Cheney began hitting him with the brass knuckles, about three or four times to the face and head.
Cheney then left on foot.
According to the affidavit, medics at the scene said the victim needed stitches for the cut on his head.
The officer found Cheney and the brass knuckles in his pocket.
After receiving his Miranda warning, Cheney allegedly told police “he saw the bong on the counter and did not want it being used while he was gone so he took it to his room,” according to the affidavit.
Cheney allegedly said the victim responded by running to his door and “pounding on it.” The victim began yelling at Cheney.
According to the affidavit, Cheney said that during the argument the victim “acted like he wanted to fight,” so Cheney “punched him and they began to fight.”
Cheney alleged the roommate bit him, at which point Cheney put on the brass knuckles and hit the man several times.
Police booked Cheney into the Lewis County Jail at about 10:30 p.m., according to jail records.
He is scheduled for an arraignment on July 30.
