Case involved vandalism and repeated violations of a civil restraining order

– A Templeton man pleaded guilty to felony vandalism and seven misdemeanor counts of disobeying a court order, resolving two criminal cases stemming from the harassment of neighbors along Orchard Road in the Templeton area, San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow announced Thursday.

David Allen Leader, 71, entered the guilty plea July 22 to one felony count of vandalism causing more than $400 in damage and seven misdemeanor counts of disobeying a court order. The plea resolved two consolidated criminal cases involving what prosecutors described as a prolonged pattern of vandalism, harassment, and repeated violations of a civil harassment restraining order involving eight neighboring residents.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, the conduct began in October 2024 and continued for several months. Prosecutors said Leader maliciously damaged and defaced another person’s property on Oct. 17, 2024, causing more than $400 in damage.

The District Attorney’s Office said Leader repeatedly violated a Civil Harassment Prevention Temporary Restraining Order issued by a San Luis Obispo County Superior Court judge on Dec. 26, 2024.

According to prosecutors, the violations included revving his vehicle’s engine so it could be heard by neighbors and their surveillance cameras, driving on the wrong side of the road while exceeding the posted speed limit, staring at neighbors and making hand gestures toward them, slowing or stopping across from their properties, and shining lights at their homes and surveillance cameras at night.

The felony vandalism charge stemmed from prosecutors’ allegation that Leader defaced and destroyed privately owned signs belonging to property owners.

As part of the plea agreement, Leader was placed on two years of formal felony probation and ordered to serve 30 days in county jail. The court also imposed a suspended two-year county jail sentence that may be enforced if he violates the terms of his probation.

Additional conditions of probation require Leader to accept flash incarceration, not seek early termination or reduction of his probation before completing the full term, and not drive an all-terrain vehicle, quad, or motorcycle on Orchard Road during the probation period.

The court ordered Leader to pay $684 in restitution to two individuals. Restitution for the remaining protected parties, if any, has not yet been determined.

“Neighbors don’t have to like one another, but they do have to respect the law and one another’s right to live in peace,” Dow said. “When disagreements arise, the answer is to resolve them in a civil and lawful manner — not through vandalism, intimidation, or a relentless campaign of unwanted contact and harassment. It is never okay to terrorize the people who live around you. Our office will continue to stand with victims and to hold accountable those who choose criminal behavior over civil resolution.”

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office investigated the cases. Deputy District Attorney Jerry Lulejian prosecuted the cases. Victim support services were provided by Victim Witness Supervisor Beth Raub and Witness Coordinator Kellie Navarro.