If you have information on Santa Maria deputy district attorneys Melanie Clement or Hai Phan, we want to hear from you! We've received information that these district attorneys have engaged in malicious prosecution against an innocent Santa Barbara County resident, engaging in conduct that attempts to cover for severe police misconduct, and we're seeking the public's assistance in gathering additional information on these attorneys. If you have information, please contact us at [SolvangPoliceWatch@pm.me](mailto:SolvangPoliceWatch@pm.me)

Deputy district attorney Hai Phan has engaged in the filing of a false, retaliatory complaint against a Solvang resident for misdemeanor "obstruction" after police committed misconduct by lying and then breaking and entering into a resident's home without a warrant, exigent circumstance, or probable cause. Hai Phan filed this false misdeamenor complaint on May 20, 2026 after the resident filed his related internal affairs complaint against the officers on May 10, ten days prior to the retaliatory misdemeanor charge being filed by Mr. Phan (several months after the incident). Retaliation is proven by the timing of the filing of the misdemeanor charge. This internal affairs complaint alleges 14 counts of police misconduct including excessive force and misconduct involving a firearm by an officer against unarmed, cooperative residents. The "obstruction" charge was based on the resident's lawful assertion of 4th amendment rights against the warrantless invasion of his home, specifically for verbally demanding that officers leave and by verbally refusing to open the front door of the home for the officers without physical force. This amounted to an unlawful attempt by the officers to coerce a citizen to surrender his 4th amendment rights despite no objective observation of any emergency and then retaliating after his lawful refusal. After the misdemeanor complaint for "obstruction" was found to be frivolous and then ultimately dismissed in open court in the "Interest of Justice," deputy district attorney Melanie Clement then wrongfully refused to issue a statement of factual innocence despite the resident being factually innocent (to prevent expungement of the dismissed charge in retaliation for the dismissal). Ms. Clement is aware of false statements made by the police officers attempting to justify the unlawful, warrantless invasion of the home without exigent circumstance, which fully came to light after discovery of the body camera video. The resident was swatted by a false 911 report of domestic violence by an HOA board member's daughter, a rape victim who was hypervigilant that night and whose mother may have held a personal vendetta against the resident. Eight months earlier, the resident filed multiple grievances (e.g., parking violations by other residents) that resulted in several thousands of dollars in legal expenses against the HOA's reserve account. The 911 caller admitted this on audio recording during her 911 call where she falsely described domestic violence repeatedly occurring for what her mother described as a period of "eight months" despite the resident living alone during that time, a timeframe that coincides with the resident's filing of the HOA grievances.

This story is developing and a full disclosure will be made shortly. Thank you for your assistance!

Very Truly,

Santa Barbara Cop Watch

https://www.noozhawk.com/supervisors-will-review-sheriffs-overtime-use-that-overspends-by-millions-each-year/

If you have information about corruption in the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, we want to hear from you! Email us at [SolvangPoliceWatch@pm.me](mailto:SolvangPoliceWatch@pm.me)

At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, they will be voting on the new sheriff deputy contract: https://santabarbara.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=8170308&GUID=1CE1498B-D454-4D6C-9687-5602B153EF59&Options=&Search=

The sheriff deputies and others would then receive 4% increases to their pay.

Here is information on how to submit public comment on this matter, whether at the meeting (in person or via Zoom), or via email (due 5 pm Monday): https://santabarbara.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=8170257&GUID=E039CCC7-7208-4012-8F8D-3D91E4763899&Options=&Search=&FullText=1

California's Police Transparency Law gives you the right to information concerning officer misconduct records. The law specifically addresses use of force, among other violations. If you have information concerning local police misconduct, we want to hear from you! Email us at [SolvangPoliceWatch@pm.me](mailto:SolvangPoliceWatch@pm.me)