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Templeton advisory group chair pleads guilty to criminal charges

July 23, 2026

David Leader captured on camera trespassing on neighbor’s property

By KAREN VELIE

Criminal allegations, restraining orders, gorilla costumes, firearms, vandalism, theft, threats and harassment continue to sully the reputation of an advisory group in Templeton. On Wednesday, the current chair of the Templeton Area Advisory Group pleaded guilty to one felony count of vandalism and seven charges of violating restraining orders.

Facing 32 criminal charges related to violating multiple restraining and court orders, vandalism and petty theft – 71-year-old David leader agreed to plead guilty to eight charges. He also agreed to a 30 day sentence in the San Luis Obispo County Jail, two years felony probation, and restitution of $684.

Leader’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 19, at which time he will be taken into custody to begin serving his sentence. If he fails to abide by the terms of his plea agreement, which includes not harassing or contacting his neighbors while on probation, the court will sentence Leader to two years in jail or prison.

Sign designating a private road vandalized

Several years ago, Leader and others in his neighborhood quarreled over a road designation and access.

Following the disagreement, multiple neighbors filed for and received restraining orders against Leader, according to court records. Neighbors accused Leader of trespassing, shouting obscenities and making threats, at times while carrying a firearm.

Security camera stolen

In total, the court granted three restraining orders to protect eight neighbors. The neighbors then put up video cameras which captured Leader repeatedly violating the court orders, including taking a neighbor’s surveillance camera while dressed in what appeared to be a gorilla costume.

Disagreements and conflicts have hobbled the Templeton Area Advisory Group board member’s ability to serve the community.

The Templeton advisory group serves as a voice for Templeton residents, providing input to SLO County on planning, land use, public safety, and community development. Regardless, San Luis Obispo County has final authority on all decisions.

The nine-member board is known for disagreements between board members, interruptions, resignations and removals. The board is currently one member short, and missing two alternates.

After former chair Jennifer Jones resigned in Dec. 2025 noting she was unable to “conduct meetings in a civilized and professional manner,” Leader moved into the chair position.

As part of his plea agreement, Leader is permitted to participate as a member of the Templeton Area Advisory Group in the July 4th Templeton parade, so long as he does not otherwise violate a restraining order.

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7 Comments

The county has no jurisdiction over any area advisory group, insofar as holding any member accountable. Advisory groups are not subject to the same rules and regulations that normal government committees, etc are, because SLO county doesn’t want legal responsibility. Area Advisory Groups are a massive joke in San Luis Obispo county. No teeth, no bark, no bite, no jurisdiction.


0

David Leader is an admitted felon and he needs to (finally) resign from the TAAG Board. It is notable that the TAAG Board recently and conveniently removed a rule in its bylaws which prohibited felons from serving. The County Board of Supervisors needs to defund TAAG and remove this stain from the North County.


25

Interesting that a firearm is mentioned among the reasons for issuing the restraining orders but no mention of requiring firearm restrictions or surrender as State law requires.


6

PATHETIC!! When small town politics gets this bad, you have to wonder if it’s a trickle down from national politics to state politics or does it start with small towns then moves up to the state then national level. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Doesn’t really matter. IT’S ALL ROTTEN!!


13

Quite the Banana republicwe have here


1

It trickles down from big city politics. I doubt any of the board members has historic roots to the county, much less Templeton. They come from the nasty cities to claim a peaceful town as “theirs”, and immediately begin to stack “no hunting” signs, join committees that ponder expansion of the town and how to take advantage of it, insist that shopping centers and a “big blue” store will be essential…because all us small town hicks have no idea how civilization works.


So, you get complaints about the number of deer eating your garden and being hit by cars, while black bears and mountain lions roam their lawn and streets, and can’t understand why. They refuse to comprehend that shopping centers and “big blue” stores entice other big city people to relocate nearby, creating the “vital need” for vast housing development “neighborhoods” that cover more and more of the nature they moved here for.


Since big city plans require a big city mindset, the committee you created to create this boondoggle invites any and all manner of participants who “care”, with less than no knowledge of their past or present history of community involvement, whether good or bad. Having not lived next to your neighbors for decades, and your parents and grandparents living next to the same neighbors, and coming from somewhere that “minding your own business” and “not getting involved” is considered reasonable, you get crazies on the committee who have just as much clout as the rest.


Regardless if he is a night stalking felon in a gorilla suit outside your garage……and YOU let him continue to be on your committee!


There is nobody to blame for this stupid out-of-control-trainwreck of events, except you.


10

Thought the gorilla suit would fool everybody!


23