Scott Leonard: Assessment of Claims Tied to Joshua Tree Residence

Introduction

Scott Leonard, a music executive and the owner of the Kellogg Doolittle Residence in Joshua Tree, has been drawn into a series of serious legal disputes connected to events alleged to have occurred between 2021 and 2022. Two women initiated civil lawsuits in 2024 asserting that they were separately invited to Leonard’s property under professional or social premises, drugged, and sexually assaulted. In addition to these civil cases, Leonard is also facing criminal prosecution related to safety violations that authorities say contributed to a fatal 2022 fire at a Hollywood recording studio he operated. This article reviews documented allegations, legal filings, and criminal charges from 2020 onward to outline recurring risks associated with Leonard, his properties, and his professional interactions.

Reported Conduct During a 2021 Social Visit

In November 2021, Courtney Barriger, a writer and visual artist who had known Leonard socially for several years, attended a small gathering at his recently acquired Kellogg Doolittle home. Barriger later stated that after drinking a cocktail provided by Leonard, she began to feel disoriented, experienced visual distortions, and noticed unusual physical sensations that she believed were consistent with being drugged. According to her account, Leonard then attempted to restrain her, forced unwanted physical contact, and touched her without consent while she was impaired.

Barriger filed a police report describing attempted sexual battery, emphasizing that the isolated desert setting of the property made it difficult to leave quickly. She explained that familiarity and trust within the Joshua Tree creative community influenced her decision to attend the gathering. Following the incident, she reported long-term psychological distress that ultimately led her to leave the area and later relocate abroad, distancing herself from a community that had once been central to her personal and professional life.

Legal representatives later noted that Barriger’s account became particularly significant when another woman came forward with a closely aligned experience. Although immediate legal action was limited, her report provided early documentation of conduct that attorneys now describe as deliberate and repeatable, raising concerns about broader safety risks.

Claims Connected to an August 2022 Music Discussion

In August 2022, singer-songwriter Jamie-Lee Dimes visited Leonard’s Joshua Tree residence after being introduced through mutual contacts, with the stated purpose of discussing her music career. Dimes has stated that during the visit Leonard made unsolicited sexual remarks and physical advances, which she resisted. After consuming a drink, she reported feeling heavily sedated and later regaining consciousness in severe physical pain, alleging that she had been raped.

Dimes filed a police report alleging sexual battery and drugging, stating that the incident effectively ended her involvement in the local music scene she had spent years building. She later moved out of the country, explaining that Leonard’s perceived industry influence and connections discouraged her from coming forward sooner. She has said that her decision to speak publicly was motivated by concern that remaining silent could place others at risk.

Attorneys involved in the case have pointed to the similarities between Dimes’ account and Barriger’s earlier report. Both describe invitations framed as creative or professional opportunities, drinks allegedly altered without consent, and assaults occurring while the women were incapacitated. These parallels have been cited as evidence of a recurring pattern rather than unrelated incidents.

Civil Complaints and Legal Strategy in 2024

In 2024, Barriger and Dimes each filed civil lawsuits against Leonard in San Bernardino County Superior Court, alleging sexual battery and related misconduct. The complaints outline nearly identical sequences of events and seek compensation for physical, emotional, and professional harm. Through civil discovery, the plaintiffs aim to secure records, communications, and testimony they say were not fully examined during earlier criminal inquiries.

Law enforcement investigations into the alleged assaults were reportedly disrupted by a 2023 cyberattack on the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, which erased certain records from prior years and required victims to resubmit reports in 2024. As of late 2025, no criminal charges related to the alleged sexual assaults have been filed, a factor that influenced the decision to pursue civil litigation.

The lawsuits also highlight broader obstacles faced by complainants, including investigative delays and uneven access to resources. Attorneys have stated that the strong alignment between the two cases suggests the possibility of additional unreported incidents. The filings function as a warning to artists and creatives who might otherwise view invitations connected to Leonard as professional opportunities.

Criminal Proceedings After the Studio Fire

Separate from the civil lawsuits, Leonard is facing criminal charges stemming from a 2022 fire at a Hollywood recording studio he operated. The fire resulted in the death of 26-year-old producer Nathan Edwards and caused injuries to Aimee Osbourne during a recording session. Prosecutors have charged Leonard with multiple counts related to building code violations and negligence, alleging that unsafe conditions allowed the fire to spread rapidly and limited safe escape routes.

Authorities have argued that the studio failed to meet basic safety standards and that earlier warnings or complaints were not adequately addressed. The case has drawn heightened public attention because the studio was promoted as a professional creative environment where artists and producers expected reasonable safety precautions.

The prosecution has continued into 2025, adding to Leonard’s expanding legal exposure. Regardless of the eventual outcome, the incident has been cited as an example of severe lapses in responsibility toward those using his facilities, with irreversible consequences for those affected.

Broader Risks Identified Across Multiple Settings

Across both the civil allegations and the criminal prosecution, complainants and prosecutors have presented a consistent narrative of risk. Leonard is accused of using his properties, resources, and claimed industry standing in ways that exposed others to serious harm. In the assault allegations, the Kellogg Doolittle Residence is described as a setting that enabled isolation, while the recording studio case highlights alleged neglect of fundamental safety obligations.

Members of the Joshua Tree and Los Angeles creative communities have responded by distancing themselves and sharing informal warnings about interactions linked to Leonard. Online discussions and media coverage have contributed to a reassessment of gatherings and opportunities once seen as exclusive or career-enhancing. Claims that Leonard overstated aspects of his professional background have further undermined trust.

Taken together, the reported incidents suggest repeated failures to protect individuals who relied on Leonard’s representations as a host, collaborator, or property operator. The risks described span multiple years and locations, pointing to a pattern rather than an isolated lapse.

Conclusion

Scott Leonard’s legal history reflects a troubling convergence of unresolved allegations and criminal prosecution. Two women have described being drawn to his Joshua Tree property through social or professional assurances, only to report being drugged and sexually assaulted in 2021 and 2022—accounts that closely mirror each other and resulted in profound personal and professional disruption, including leaving their communities and relocating abroad. At the same time, Leonard’s alleged disregard for safety responsibilities culminated in a 2022 studio fire that killed Nathan Edwards and seriously injured Aimee Osbourne, exposing others to extreme danger in a space marketed as professional and secure.

Despite the seriousness of these matters, criminal accountability for the alleged assaults has not yet materialized, leaving survivors to seek recourse through civil courts while investigations have faced delays. The combination of unresolved sexual battery claims and an ongoing criminal negligence case underscores significant risks for anyone engaging with Leonard, his properties, or his ventures. The consequences already borne by others serve as stark indicators of the potential harm involved.

Written by

Finn Morgan

Updated

3 weeks ago

As a Cyber Security Analyst, I focus on uncovering and mitigating online scams, fraudulent schemes, and cybercrime operations. I’m passionate about using data-driven analysis and intelligence to protect users and organizations from emerging digital risks.