Police issued a trespass admonishment to a Turlock mayoral candidate after she allegedly disrupted a stand-up comedy performance Sunday night at Westside Ministries.
Kelley Coelho, a private investigator who launched a dark horse campaign for mayor this year after scrapping plans to seek a city council seat, is alleged to have entered Westside Ministries in south Turlock at around 6 p.m., just before the start of a Christian comedy show there. She came with election materials in tow and was asked by pastor JoLynn DiGrazia to refrain from electioneering.
“I told her she was welcome to stay as long as she left her campaign flyers in her car,” said DiGrazia. “She told me she was videotaping me and said I didn’t have the right to keep her from campaigning. Then she started yelling ‘Vote for Kelley Coelho for mayor’ and ‘We need transparency.’”
According to DiGrazia, her husband took up the discussion while she attempted to start the comedy show – featuring comic Dennis Gaxiola – for an audience of about 65 or 70 adults.
“We have a children’s ministry here on Sunday nights,” DiGrazia said. “My friend Dennis was in town, and we decided to do kind of a night out for parents.”
A Westside Ministries staff member called the Turlock Police Department and officers Donna Anthieny and Tyler Gursky, along with Sgt. Frank Neves, responded.
“According to staff, (Coelho) initially refused to leave,” said Dominique Roton, TPD’s public affairs analyst. “Officers contacted (Coelho), who indicated she intended to leave the property. Officers explained the applicable trespassing laws and the property owners’ rights, which (Coelho) acknowledged understanding.”
Coelho then left without further incident, according to TPD, but was issued a trespass admonishment at DiGrazia’s request. Similar to a restraining order, Coelho could face criminal charges if she returns to Westside Ministries.
Coelho, 41, said DiGrazia initiated the fracas.
“I actually went for a comedy show,” said Coelho. “I walked in and was talking to a community member when I was approached. I had some (campaign) cards in my hand along with my phone… JoLynn came over and of interrupted us and said, ‘You can’t be here.’”
Coelho claims to have uncovered irregularities in a 2020 real estate transaction between the DiGrazias and the city and believes the request to leave the premises was “retaliatory.”
“I can’t really disclose too much information,” said Coelho, citing it as an open case.
The sale of the DiGrazias’ duplex at 901 High St. for $258,000 was approved by the city council. The property was rehabilitated using Community Development Block Grant funds and later sold to United Samaritans Foundation for low-income families.
“We don’t need this back-and-forth thing,” said Coelho, who believes she deserves an apology. “We don’t need all the drama.”
Coelho has been involved in several highly publicized squabbles with city officials, law enforcement figures, judges, educators, a state senator, and a Turlock resident who administers the “Save Turlock” social media page. She was asked whether her lawsuits, claims of corruption, and accusations have been the source for much of the drama.
“They’re not accusations; they’re backed up by facts,” Coelho said. “In my position as an investigator I don’t have to disclose everything, and I can’t say too much about what I’m involved in. I will say that I stand firm on accountability and transparency regardless of people’s hidden agendas.”
In February, Coelho sought a restraining order against substitute teacher Vance Yarbrough, whom she alleged assaulted her daughter in October 2025. TPD viewed security camera footage and determined that no crime had been committed. Coelho then claimed that Turlock PD and the Turlock Unified School District colluded to cover up the incident.
Coelho’s request for a restraining order was denied by Judge John R. Mayne, and she alleged Mayne had a bias since he was Facebook friends with the officer who investigated the classroom incident – a fact Mayne disclosed in court.
Coelho has levied similar allegations of corruption against Police Chief Jason Hedden, Stanislaus County District Attorney Jeff Laugero, Superior Court Judge Carrie M. Stephens, and state Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil, whom she sued for an alleged violation of her First Amendment rights. She also filed a federal lawsuit jointly against the city, TPD, and TUSD.
“It was it was very upsetting,” DiGrazia said of Sunday’s incident. “I’m still really upset about it because people come here to feel safe and unjudged. I don't like to involve myself in politics. I'm old school. I believe in the separation of church and state. I could lose my (nonprofit) status over something like this."
