Tenants of the Sunny Acres ranch for the homeless applauded today in support of ranch owner Dan De Vaul as he was handcuffed and sentenced to 90 days in jail after refusing a condition of probation.
De Vaul, 66, refused terms of probation offered by Judge John Trice that would have set forth mandatory checks and code compliance of a barn where homeless have lived on his property, as well as removal of vehicles stored there.
Tenants of the property say that people are no longer living in the barn.
A group of about 30 supporters attended the sentencing. De Vaul was convicted of two charges of code violations relating to his barn and storage of vehicles on his Sunny Acres farm on Los Osos Valley Road.
De Vaul gave a statement in court saying that the law is open to interpretation and said that he felt a disconnect between the desires of people in the county and unfair enforcement.
Trice said he believed De Vaul and his lawyers were confusing the social issue of helping the needy in the county - De Vaul assists drug and alcohol users with a substance abuse program on his ranch - and compliance with the law.
Prosecutor Craig Van Rooyen said the barn was not a living unit and could have led to accident or injury with a fire.
Some of De Vauls supporters cried, some clapped, and one woman yelled out Were with you, Dan, before he was led away to County Jail in handcuffs.
--Nick Wilson
About comments
Reader comments on SanLuisObispo.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Tribune. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.