Kin Coffee owner accused of sexual assault is wanted for probation violation after 4 DUIs
One of two local business owners accused of sexual assault by multiple women has four drunk driving charges on his record and a warrant out for his arrested related to the most recent one, The Tribune has learned.
Julian Contreras, the owner of Kin Coffee Bar in San Luis Obispo, is under investigation by the San Luis Obispo Police Department for sexual assault allegations that came to light on social media at the beginning of April. His friend, Nate Abate, owner of Nate’s Barber Shop in Atascadero, also faces multiple accusations.
While the department has continued to investigate the claims, no arrests have been made.
However, Contreras is supposed to already be in custody for the separate DUI offense, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed to The Tribune.
Contreras violated his probation after being convicted of a felony DUI in 2019 and has had an arrest warrant out since September 2021.
The warrant does not allow Contreras to post bail, so if arrested, he would be held in custody.
Contreras convicted of four DUIs
Feb. 27, 2019, marked Contreras’ fourth DUI. His blood alcohol content level was measured at .19 — more than twice the legal limit to drive — according to court documents.
He was charged with driving under the influence within 10 years of three other DUI violations and driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content over .08 within 10 years of three other DUI violations. Both charges were enhanced due to his driving with a blood alcohol content of .15 or higher.
The fourth incident came after Contreras had been convicted of driving under the influence three times in six months between October 2012 and March 2013.
He has since received a collection of other traffic violations, including driving with a suspended license, driving unlicensed, speeding, running a stop sign and not wearing a seat belt.
San Luis Obispo County Assistant District Attorney Eric Dobroth told the Tribune that Contreras also served 10 days in jail for misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor in 2007.
On Dec. 4, 2019, Contreras was sentenced to 270 days in jail and five years of probation, but he ended up serving 132 days on house arrest instead from July 21, 2020, to Nov. 30, 2020, Sheriff’s Office spokesman Tony Cipolla told the Tribune.
His driver’s license was also revoked for four years, and he was required to attend an 18-month program for being a multiple offender driving under the influence, court documents said.
Dobroth told the Tribune that Contreras did not report to his probation officer and did not complete substance abuse counseling, according to the probation report. He said the report said a deputy probation officer made efforts to contact Contreras, but he did not respond to phone calls and his house was vacated.
The San Luis Obispo County Probation Department requested the warrant on Sept. 27, 2021. A judge revoked Contreras’ probation and issued the felony warrant the following day. It’s a no-bond warrant, meaning Contreras would not be able to post bail and would have to remain in custody once he is arrested.
While the warrant is active, a law enforcement agency has to carry it out.
Warrants regarding probation violations or missed court hearings are often executed when the person is caught for a separate minor violation, like a traffic ticket, Dobroth told the Tribune. An agency can choose to seek out an arrest if they feel it is necessary.
Contreras and his lawyer, Denton Wilson, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Sexual assault allegations
Since early April, more than 30 women have come forward on social media accusing Contreras and Abate of physical assault, sexual assault or harassment. The San Luis Obispo Police Department has opened an investigation but has not arrested anyone in connection to the allegations.
Ash Riddell was the first person to come forward with allegations on Instagram, telling the Tribune more than 30 people have shared experiences of being physically assaulted, sexually assaulted or harassed by one or both men.
The Tribune has spoken to other women who also say they were assaulted by one or both men.
Kin Coffee Bar closed its doors for a weekend and has posted two statements on Instagram, with one announcing Contreras’ departure from the business. Abate has denied all allegations to the Tribune, and Contreras has not responded to multiple requests for comment.
SLOPD confirmed it had opened an investigation into the allegations on April 3.
What happens next
Contreras requested a court hearing on April 6 regarding a missed probation check-in, court documents say.
The hearing has been scheduled for May 4.
SLOPD is continuing to investigate the sexual assault allegations against Contreras and Abate. The department asks anyone who may have information to contact 805-781-7317.
Anyone with additional information who wishes to speak to The Tribune about their experiences as part of a news tip may send an email to cjones@thetribunenews.com.
If you or someone you know are a survivor of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673. The hotline offers a range of free services including confidential support from a trained staff member, help finding a local health facility, legal and medical advice and referrals for long-term support. Survivor support and resources are also available through Lumina Alliance at luminaalliance.org or their Crisis and Information Line at 805-545-8888.
This story was originally published April 15, 2022 at 2:25 PM.
