Dan Dow’s career as a Deputy District Attorney involves award-winning service to the community. He has served as Deputy District Attorney for over eight years. His most recent assignment began in June 2011 as prosecutor in cases of Felony Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Child Abuse and Homicide during which he has prosecuted over 340 felony cases in that time. Over his career Dan has prosecuted well over 500 felony cases and thousands of misdemeanor cases involving domestic violence, drugs, theft, driving under influence, elder abuse, fraud, etc. His courtroom experience handling highly significant cases proves Dan’s unswerving commitment to the security of San Luis Obispo County communities. His record of consistently obtaining convictions and putting perpetrators of sexual assault, homicide, and domestic abuse behind bars reflects his longstanding dedication to the safety and the future of the Central Coast.
Among the candidates for District Attorney Dan has handled hundreds of more cases for each of the last six years than his opponent. In 2006, his peers and management in Riverside County recognized Dan as “Prosecutor of the Year” and in 2013, the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association awarded Dan with the John L. Seitz Community Service Award.
Dan’s significant cases include:
People v. Adam Bearden:
In January of 2012, San Luis Obispo officers arrested Adam Bearden for residential burglary in Morro Bay. A 29-year Morro Bay resident, Bearden was subsequently charged with multiple counts of sexually abusing two girls under the age of 14 over a timespan of over three years. Dan successfully prosecuted this case on behalf of the two minors and their families, ensuring that Bearden will pay for the immeasurable amount of pain and suffering he inflicted on his juvenile victims. Bearden is now serving a 48-year sentence in state prison and will be required to register as a sex-offender for the rest of his life.
People v. Robert Deutsch:
In 2012 Robert Deutsch, a San Luis Obispo man, was charged with domestic violence for strangling his girlfriend and threatening to kill her. Prior convictions for Deutsch included three armed robberies and a burglary in San Luis Obispo, making this a three-strikes case. Dan prosecuted the case on behalf of the people and obtained a conviction, along with additional charges of making criminal threats and dissuading a victim from reporting a crime. Deutsch is now serving 30 years to life in state prison.
People v. Scott San Agustin:
In October 2011, Scott San Agustin was arrested in San Luis Obispo on suspicion of seven felony counts including rape and lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 years old. He was charged later for sexual abuse against a third adult victim. Dan handled the case on behalf of the people. Agustin was convicted on May 2, 2012, and sentenced to 16 years in state prison and is required to register as a sex offender.
People v. Luke Anthony:
In May 2012, seventy-five year old Grover Beach resident Luke Anthony received a sentence of 12 years in state prison after his conviction by plea. Dan successfully prosecuted this case, which led to Anthony’s guilty plea to multiple counts of lewd acts upon a child with added enhancements of substantial sexual conduct.
Other significant cases Dan has successfully prosecuted include:
People v. Nathan Ellistucker, child molestation
People v. Robert Garcia, child molestation
People v. Oscar Garduno, child molestation
People v. Johnny Flores, child molestation
People v. Kenneth Burdick, sexual assault