Our Team

DAN DOW

DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Dan Dow was elected District Attorney of the County of San Luis Obispo on June 3, 2014 and assumed office on November 7, 2014.  He was reelected again on June 5, 2018 and June 7, 2022 for four year terms. Dan is an Army veteran and a career prosecutor dedicated to protecting victims, ensuring justice and reducing crime in our community.

While serving in the US Army, Dan attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California where he became fluent in the Korean language and earned the Martin J. Kellogg Award for his achievement as the top graduate in his class.

After completing his service in the active Army, Dan attended California State University, Hayward where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science.  Dan later attended Santa Clara University School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctorate.

Dan continues his military service as a reserve officer in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the California Army National Guard. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal during his deployment to Iraq under Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.  Dan was also deployed to Kosovo under Operation Enduring Freedom.

As a career prosecutor, Dan has focused on prosecuting domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse crimes where he seeks to bring justice for victims of particularly devastating crimes that are committed against those least capable of protecting themselves. He considers it a high calling and a privilege to serve victims and to hold offenders accountable for their actions. 

Dan played a vital role as a part of the collaborative team that brought Veterans Treatment Court to the County of San Luis Obispo. Launched in June of 2013, the Veterans Treatment Court seeks to address the growing number of veterans entering the criminal justice system as a result of traumatic experiences they endured while in the military.  The unique Veteran’s Treatment Court seeks to rehabilitate veteran offenders, reduce recidivism and reduce costs to the taxpayers.

Dan and his wife Wendy, a local small business owner and reading instructor, have been married for over 30 years and reside in Templeton. They have two children.

Dan has served on the Board of Directors for the San Luis Obispo Classical Academy; he served on the California State Guard Foundation Board; he served as Chair of the San Luis Obispo County Children's Services Network from 2019-2021; he Chairs the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force; and serves on the Suspected Abuse Response Team Advisory Board. He is a member of the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a member of American Legion Post 66.
 

ERIC DOBROTH

ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Eric Dobroth is a career prosecutor, who began his employment with the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office in June of 2005.  He was appointed Assistant District Attorney on January 1, 2018.

As the Assistant District Attorney, he serves as the office’s public information officer and grand jury liaison.  He is responsible for Public Records Act compliance, extradition reviews, and the review for filing of all homicide, public integrity, Brown Act and Fair Political Practices Act cases.  He chairs the County Human Trafficking Task Force, as well as the Intimate Partner Violence Coalition.  His supervisory duties include the Christopher G. Money Victim Witness Assistance Center, the juvenile unit, the sexual assault unit, the special prosecutions unit, and the Mentally Disordered Offender unit.

As a Deputy District Attorney, Eric successfully prosecuted a variety of cases, including codefendants Jesse Baker-Riley and Ryan James Johnson for a home invasion robbery that resulted in the shooting death of a 17-year-old juvenile; and the prosecution of Clifford Scott, Jr. for the first degree attempted murder of California Highway Patrol Officer Adrian Ayala.   Most recently, Eric has led our special prosecutions unit, focusing on consumer and environmental protection, and major fraud prosecutions.

Prior to joining the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office, Eric served as a Deputy District Attorney in Ventura County for five years prosecuting a variety of misdemeanor and felony case types.

Eric received his Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University in Geology and Environmental Science in 1995, and his Juris Doctorate degree from Northwestern School of Law (Portland) with emphasis in Environmental and Natural Resources Law in 1999.
 

SHERYL WOLCOTT

CHIEF DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Sheryl Wolcott received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego and her Juris Doctorate from University of California Hastings College of the Law.  She has been a prosecutor since 1996, when she began her career at the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.  After trying cases for several years, Sheryl was a supervising attorney at the San Mateo District Attorney's Office for three years before joining the County of San Luis Obispo District Attorney's Office in 2007.  

Throughout her career, she has held a variety of misdemeanor and felony assignments, including several years prosecuting domestic violence cases.  She has successfully tried a range of serious crimes, including robbery, arson, criminal threats, stalking, and attempted murder.  Sheryl has been a Chief Deputy District Attorney since 2013.  She supervises the domestic violence unit and three general trial teams, and oversees Brady compliance.
 

JERRET GRAN

CHIEF DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Jerret Gran received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Westmont College in 1989 and his Juris Doctorate from University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in 1993.

Mr. Gran joined the Madera County District Attorney's Office where he prosecuted misdemeanor and felony cases.  Since 1998, he has been with the County of San Luis Obispo District Attorney's Office.  In 2008, he was appointed Chief Deputy District Attorney.  He supervises the filing unit, Early Disposition Program (EDP)  unit, three general trial teams, and he oversees gang prosecutions and crimes against peace officers.
 

LISA B. MUSCARI

CHIEF DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Lisa B. Muscari received her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado Boulder in Biochemistry, her Master of Business Administration from University of Colorado, and her Juris Doctorate from University of Denver-College of Law in 1996.

Lisa is a career prosecutor who began as a Judge Advocate (attorney) for the United States Marine Corps, where she served for 11 years earning the rank of Major.  She tried special and general courts martials while on active duty.  She also held posts as the Commanding General’s attorney, Head Base Prosecutor at 29 Palms, and as Company Commander for A Company, Headquarters Battalion.

After her military service, Lisa served as a Deputy District Attorney at the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office from 2008 through April 2018.  While there she prosecuted misdemeanor and felony jury trials, including murders, child molestation, sexual assault, and gang facilitated armed robbery.  She was assigned as the lead attorney for Major Crimes Against Children where she prosecuted several child victim murder cases. 

Lisa was hired as a Deputy District Attorney in San Luis Obispo County in April 2018. She was appointed Chief Deputy District Attorney on January 26, 2020.
 

TIFFANY JOHANSING

DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATOR

Department Administrator Tiffany Johansing was raised on the Central Coast and graduated from Paso Robles High School in 1998 and Cal Poly State University in 2004, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology.

In 2011, Tiffany joined the County as a Supervising Administrative Clerk with the Treasurer-Tax Collector-Public Administrator’s Office where she served during the merger with the Auditor-Controller’s Office. Tiffany supervised the public services team and provided cross-functional communications and training to integrate the offices multi-faceted services. Tiffany held other responsibilities concurrently for hiring, onboarding, and leave management of employees.

In July of 2014, Tiffany transferred to the Department of Human Resources, accepting the position of Human Resources Analyst Aide, where she was part of the tech team that assisted with the implementation and testing of the County’s human resource management system, NeoGov. In May of 2016, she promoted to Administrative Services Officer II, where she was responsible for the HR department’s budget and fiscal operations and the concurrent role of Office Manager.  She supervised the administrative services team and temporary staff, as well as managed the countywide Time in Service Program. She worked closely with management in coordinating communication and efforts to meet organizational goals and in safeguarding the financial health of the organization.

Tiffany joined the District Attorney’s Office in July of 2019 and is functioning essentially as the District Attorney’s “Chief Financial Officer” where she is responsible for managing all budgetary and financial matters, including grant management, as well as managing information technology, administrative services, including oversight of human resources functions.
 

TERRY O'FARRELL

CHIEF INVESTIGATOR

Chief Investigator Terry O’Farrell began his law enforcement career in 1997 as a police officer with the City of Atascadero.  During his tenure at the Atascadero Police Department he was assigned to patrol, field training officer, narcotics detective, and sexual assault detective.  Terry eventually promoted to the position of Sergeant and maintained that role for two years.

In 2006, Terry joined the Bureau of Investigation at the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office.  He has been assigned as an investigator to the county’s narcotics task force and gang task force.  Terry promoted to assistant chief investigator and was assigned to supervise a variety of investigations including sexual assault and homicide. 

Terry earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia Southern University.  He stays active in the community through youth sports, coaching baseball, basketball, and football off and on for over 20 years.

BARB BRIDGE

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES OFFICER

 

Barb Bridge holds an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from Cuesta College.

She began her public safety career with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office in 2000 working as a Correctional Technician and then as a Senior Account Clerk.  She joined the District Attorney’s Office in 2004 as a Legal Clerk. She was promoted to Supervising Legal Clerk I in 2014 and to Supervising Legal Clerk II in 2019, where she has provided exceptional support, training, and assistance to all staff in the office.

Barb was promoted to her new role as Administrative Services Officer in 2023. Her responsibilities include managing recruitments, processing payroll and benefits, generating performance evaluations, supervising support staff, and records retention management.  
 

JESSICA YATES

DIRECTOR

CHRISTOPHER G. MONEY VICTIM WITNESS ASSISTANCE CENTER

Jessica received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from the University of California, Irvine in 2000. She received her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from National University, La Jolla in 2002.

She began her career at Oakley, Inc. in Orange County, California as a Business Development Specialist for the Domestic United States division.  In 2013, she moved to Central California and became an Investment Advisor and Regional Vice President for a financial firm.

In 2019, Jessica had a desire to leave the Corporate sector and work in Public Service. She accepted the position of Business Systems Analyst for the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office where she worked to implement the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program. She worked closely with the County Administrator’s Office Program Manager and County Stepping Up Executive Team to develop and write a three year data driven strategic plan for the Initiative. Through this work, the County of San Luis Obispo received national recognition for innovation.

Jessica joined the District Attorney’s Office in February of 2023 as the Director of the Christopher G. Money Victim Witness Assistance Center where her responsibilities include leading a team of Victim Advocates and support staff who work to reduce the trauma, frustration, and inconvenience victims, witnesses, and family members experience when affected by crime.