Templeton man pleads guilty in neighbor harassment and vandalism case

By Staff Report · Fri Jul 24 2026

TEMPLETON — A Templeton man has pleaded guilty to felony vandalism and multiple misdemeanor counts of disobeying a court order following a months-long dispute involving allegations of property damage, harassment and repeated violations of a civil harassment restraining order.

San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow announced that David Allen Leader, 71, pleaded guilty July 22 to one felony count of vandalism causing damage exceeding $400 and seven misdemeanor counts of disobeying a court order.

The charges stem from incidents beginning in October 2024 involving neighbors along Orchard Road, a private road in the Templeton area. Eight nearby residents were identified as protected parties in the consolidated criminal cases.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, Leader damaged and defaced personal property belonging to another person on Oct. 17, 2024. In the months that followed, prosecutors 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.

The alleged violations included revving his vehicle’s engine near neighbors’ homes, driving on the wrong side of the road, exceeding the posted speed limit, making gestures toward neighbors, stopping near their properties and shining lights toward homes and surveillance cameras at night.

The felony vandalism charge involved allegations that Leader damaged and destroyed private signage belonging to property owners.

As part of a plea agreement consolidating two criminal cases, Leader was placed on two years of formal felony probation and ordered to serve 30 days in county jail. A suspended two-year county jail sentence may be imposed if he violates the terms of probation.

Additional probation conditions include flash incarceration, an agreement not to seek early termination or reduction of probation, and a prohibition on operating an ATV, quad or motorcycle on Orchard Road during the probation period.

Leader was ordered to pay $684 in restitution to two individuals. Additional restitution to other protected parties, if applicable, will be determined at a later date.

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.”