Chair of the Templeton Area Advisory Group David Leader has been sentenced to 30 days in county jail and two years of supervised probation after harassing neighbors in his area.
This past July, 71-year-old Leader pleaded guilty to one felony count of vandalism and seven misdemeanor counts of disobeying a court order after repeatedly violating a civil harassment restraining order protecting eight neighbors in his area.
According to San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow, charges against Leader began in October 2024 involving neighbors on a private road in Templeton and continued for multiple months.
Leader defaced and destroyed private signs posted by fellow neighbors, drove on the wrong side of the road while speeding, revved his engine, shined lights at home surveillance systems at night, and made hand gestures at neighbors.
“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,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “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.”
A restitution hearing is scheduled for November 4, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.
