Templeton Man Pleads Guilty to Felony Vandalism and Other Charges in Neighbor Harassment Case

Author: District Attorney
Date: 7/23/2026 4:35 PM

Dan Dow announces the conviction and upcoming sentencing date for David Allen Leader of Templeton.

District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that David Allen Leader (DOB 07/20/1955) has pled guilty to one felony count of vandalism and seven misdemeanor counts of disobeying a court order, resolving two consolidated criminal cases arising from a prolonged pattern of vandalism, harassment, and repeated violations of a civil harassment restraining order directed at his Templeton-area neighbors.

The charges stem from conduct that began in October 2024 involving neighbors along Orchard Road, a private road in the Templeton area, and continued over the following months. The protected parties in the consolidated matters include eight individual people who live nearby in the neighborhood.

On October 17, 2024, Leader maliciously damaged and defaced personal property belonging to another in an amount exceeding $400. In the months that followed, Leader repeatedly disobeyed a Civil Harassment Prevention Temporary Restraining Order issued by a San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge on December 26, 2024.

The conduct underlying the violations included revving his vehicle's engine so it could be heard by his neighbors and their surveillance cameras, driving on the wrong side of the road and 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 cameras at night. The felony vandalism charge is related to Leader's defacing and destroying private signage owned by the property owners.

On July 22, 2026, Leader pled guilty to one felony count of vandalism causing damage in excess of $400, and to seven misdemeanor counts of disobeying a court order. Leader entered his pleas after agreeing to the amendment and consolidation of the two cases.

Leader was placed on two years of formal felony probation and ordered to serve 30 days in county jail, with a suspended two-year county jail sentence that may be imposed if he violates the terms of his probation. As additional conditions of probation, Leader agreed to flash incarceration, agreed not to seek early termination or reduction of his probation before its full term, and agreed that he will not drive an ATV, quad, or motorcycle on Orchard Road during the entire term of his felony probation. Leader was ordered to pay $684 in restitution to two individuals, and restitution to the other protected parties, if any, remains to be determined.

District Attorney Dan Dow said, "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. 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 cases were investigated by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office and prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Jerry Lulejian. Victim support services were provided by Victim Witness Supervisor Beth Raub and Witness Coordinator Kellie Navarro.

Here is a copy of the defendant's booking photo. Here is the charging document.

Here are photos from the case photo one, photo two, photo three.

Please contact Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth at 805.781.5819 with any questions.

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