David Leader, chair of the Templeton Area Advisory Group (TAAG), was arrested on April 3 after Judge Erin Childs found him to have violated multiple restraining orders—part of a years-long dispute with neighbors over property access and road use.
Leader was booked at the San Luis Obispo County Jail at 12:17 p.m. and released later that evening on $270,000 bail. He had previously lost bail amounts of $35,000, $50,000, and $85,000 in related cases, which prosecutors previously described as “unheard of in a misdemeanor case.”
Leader faces 24 misdemeanor charges, including alleged violations of court orders, vandalism, and petty theft. Prosecutors allege that the charges stem from repeated harassment and intimidation of neighbors connected to a dispute over an easement Leader uses to access his property.
According to court filings, the conflict began in late 2023 when Leader sought to expand his use of the easement and operate a short-term rental and a wedding venue at his barn. Neighbors raised concerns about dust, traffic, and valley fever risk from speeding vehicles. In a trial brief requesting a restraining order, one neighbor described installing a locked gate to prevent unauthorized access to the unpaved portion of the road, which she said triggered Leader’s harassment campaign.
Neighbors say Leader’s actions escalated to a public safety concern. Court filings allege that Leader drove onto private driveways, prowled on private property, revved engines, honked repeatedly, and shined bright floodlights into homes late at night.
In January 2024, deputies were called after Leader allegedly brandished a gun in the neighborhood. That April, he reportedly pointed what appeared to be a firearm at a neighbor.
In one interaction with deputies after Leader received a warning, Leader is recorded saying, “I’m going to honk my horn louder now. Until they move this gate, I’m going to honk and go 30 miles an hour.” When the deputy advised that Leader’s actions were a disturbance to the peace, he said, “That’s fine!” and, “I will continue to stop on the road.”
Another neighbor, told the court that Leader “wants my wife and I to know that he is always watching us” and that he “peers into our house nearly every night between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.” He said Leader repeatedly drove onto the driveway, triggered motion-activated cameras, and shined bright lights into the home.
Court documents note that Leader’s actions have caused significant emotional distress.
“My daughter … has been particularly affected by [his] actions. … [His] shining of bright lights into her bedroom … wakes her in a panic, making it difficult to return to sleep,” one neighbor said in a restraining order request.
In total, three families in the neighborhood have restraining orders against Leader, protecting eight individuals.
New Times contacted Leader but did not receive a response before publication. When previously asked by New Times about the allegations, Leader denied them.
Prosecutors allege Leader has intentionally violated temporary restraining orders and criminal protective charges at least 21 times.
“This defendant will simply not stop and control his rage and deranged need for revenge against his neighbors,” prosecutors wrote in a January 2025 filing.
Leader was appointed TAAG chair in January 2026 after former chair Jennifer Jones resigned. The advisory group represents Templeton residents on land-use and planning matters before San Luis Obispo County.
Leaders’ alleged actions have prompted multiple sheriff reports and civil harassment filings, including requests to restrain his dogs and enforce speed limits on the private road.
“All this drama, it’s just so unnecessary,” Leader previously told New Times.
Leader’s jury trial is scheduled to begin April 27, 2026. ∆
This article appears in April 9-16, 2026.
Funny. Anyone pay attention to Cambria’s North Coast Advisory Council? Pay attention. You’ll see why.