America the Messy Yard Police StateCalifornia man jailed after housing homeless on ranchDan de Vaul is a hero! The messy yard cops who busted him are criminalsDon't the police and the messy yard cops have any real criminals to hunt down? Nope!Calif. man jailed for housing homeless on ranch The Associated Press Posted: 11/23/2009 06:51:16 PM PST SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif.—A Central California rancher who houses homeless people on his property was sentenced to 90 days in jail Monday for safety violations. Dan de Vaul, 66, was offered probation, but chose jail instead. The terms of probation, which would bar him from breaking any laws, would prevent him from sheltering about 30 people who reside at his ranch—known as Sunny Acres—and participate in a sober living recovery program, de Vaul said. "I'm proud to go to jail for housing the homeless," de Vaul said before the hearing. After being sentenced, he offered his wrists for a sheriff's deputy to handcuff and was led out of court as 30 of his supporters applauded. A jury convicted him of two misdemeanors for violating building and safety codes. Building inspectors said a stucco barn he converted to temporary housing on the 72-acre ranch did not meet current fire codes. He also was cited for failing to remove material and vehicles from his property. Judge John Trice said San Luis Obispo County officials have offered to help de Vaul bring his property up to code, but he would not accept assistance. "Such conduct can only be viewed as irresponsible and arrogant," Trice said. De Vaul's attorney, Jeffrey Stulberg, said county officials offered de Vaul a planner to help him comply with building codes, but no fee waivers or substantial help. De Vaul's ranch provided services and sober living for the large population of homeless residents of San Luis Obispo County who can't go into shelters, Stulberg said. "Dan has filled that gap by providing free counseling services, free dentist visits, mainstreaming some of these folks back into society with jobs and apartments," he said. Some of the current residents are living in a Victorian home that de Vaul converted into a dormitory. Others moved into tents and RVs, after county inspectors locked up the stucco barn.
San Luis Obispo rancher who housed homeless is sentenced to jail for safety code violations November 23, 2009 | 12:38 pm A San Luis Obispo rancher who for years has illegally housed homeless people was ordered today to serve 90 days in jail. A defiant Dan de Vaul stretched out his arms and let deputies place handcuffs on him before being led out of the San Luis Obispo courtroom. The 66-year-old defendant was offered probation after a jury convicted him in September of two misdemeanor violations of building and safety codes at his Sunny Acres ranch. But De Vaul refused the terms of his probation because he said it would mean he could no longer provide shelter for about 30 people who reside in his sober-living facility. For eight years, he’s operated the program on his 72-acre ranch, housing clients in mobile homes, tents, garden sheds and an aging Victorian home. For a time, he also housed people in a three-story stucco barracks until it was shut down last year. “The first condition of probation is obey all laws,” De Vaul said before the hearing, which was attended by about 30 of his supporters. “I’m proud to go to jail for housing the homeless.” Superior Court Judge John Trice said San Luis Obispo officials have repeatedly offered to help De Vaul bring his property up to code. But De Vaul has declined all attempts at help, Trice said. “Such conduct can only be viewed as irresponsible and arrogant,” the judge said before sentencing him to jail. De Vaul was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. -- Catherine Saillant in San Luis Obispo
Calif. man jailed after housing homeless on ranch (AP) SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — A California rancher who houses homeless people on his property chose to serve 90 days in jail rather than accept probation after being convicted of misdemeanor safety violations. Dan de Vaul says the terms of probation offered Monday would prevent him from sheltering about 30 people who reside at his ranch and participate in a substance abuse recovery program. The 66-year-old de Vaul says he is proud to go to jail for housing the homeless. About 30 supporters applauded as he was led out of court in handcuffs. Judge John Trice says officials have offered to help de Vaul bring his property up to code, but he would not accept assistance. A jury in San Luis Obispo convicted him of two misdemeanors for violations of building and safety code. |
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