SLO County barber guilty of sexually assaulting underage girls, jury decides
Editor’s note: This story mentions sexual assault.
A jury convicted an Atascadero barber accused of multiple counts of sexually assaulting minors on Friday.
Nate Abate, 36, was arrested on Jan. 19, 2023, and charged with multiple sex crimes involving three women. He faced four charges stemming from three incidents — oral copulation of a minor on Aug. 16, 2008; forcible rape and rape of an intoxicated person on Jan. 1, 2009; and forcible rape in June 1, 2012, according to court documents.
After about 21 hours of witness testimony across seven days and about 16 hours of deliberations, a jury found him guilty on three charges: forcible rape, rape of an intoxicated person and oral copulation of a minor.
The jury also found aggravating factors to be true: those were that the victim was particularly vulnerable, that Abate took advantage of a position of trust, that he induced a minor into a crime, that the crime took planning and sophistication, and that he engaged in violent conduct that indicates he’s a danger to society.
San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Michael Frye will consider aggravating factors when he sentences Abate on Nov. 12.
The jury was split 9-3 in favor of guilt on a second forcible rape charge, which pertained to Ashley Doe’s case. It was unclear Friday evening whether the District Attorney’s Office will refile that charge.
“I want to commend the young women who bravely reported the crimes that had occurred when they were much younger and so vulnerable,” San Luis Obispo District Attorney Dan Dow said in a news release Friday. “Unfortunately, those who are victimized by sexual assault often feel shame and carry emotional pain by the abuse that should never have been inflicted upon them. The courage of these women to speak up and to testify, together with these guilty verdicts, will show other victims that there can be accountability for their abusers in our criminal and victim justice system.”
‘Silence is where these people operate,’ woman says after verdict
Allegations against Abate and his friend, Julian Contreras, first came to light when Ashley posted about her assault on Instagram in April 2022.
That post started a local Me Too movement, where now more than 30 women have come forward on social media accusing the two men of sexual assault or harassment either together or separate.
Contreras has since fled the county. Earlier in the trial, attorneys said he entered Mexico on Dec. 15, 2022. The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office confirmed there is a felony warrant out for Contreras’ arrest.
Ashley told The Tribune that hearing news of the verdicts left her overwhelmed and shocked, but in a positive way.
“I just really care that he didn’t get away with hurting children,” she said. “I literally never thought this was possible.”
She encouraged other survivors to let their community know what happened to them.
“Silence is where these people operate,” she said.
Abate family in tears as he’s taken into custody in courtroom
After the verdicts were read, Abate’s attorney, Scott Taylor, requested the judge allow Abate to remain out of jail custody until his sentencing on Nov. 12.
San Luis Obispo County Deputy District Attorney Kimberly Dittrich argued that was not appropriate given at least two of his charges were considered serious and violent felonies.
Frye ultimately agreed with the prosecution and remanded Abate to jail custody immediately with his bail vacated.
The judge did allow Abate to say goodbye to his family, who attended each day of the trial, before he was taken to jail.
Abate’s wife and mother hugged him in tears, and Abate hugged his baby briefly before being handcuffed by a bailiff.
Taylor declined to comment on the verdict.
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.
The San Luis Obispo County Christopher G. Money Victim Witness Assistance Center can also assist survivors. Contact the center at 805-781-5821.
This story was originally published October 18, 2024 at 5:10 PM.
