Trial begins for Atascadero man accused of raping underage girls

October 6, 2024

By KAREN VELIE

Last week, the trial began for Nate Abate, an Atascadero man accused of raping several underage girls while his friend and alleged accomplice remains on the run. The trial began Friday with opening statements.

Prosecutors charged 35-year-old Abate with 16 counts of forcible rape, three counts of rape of a drunken person and four counts of oral copulation with a minor. Abate pleaded not guilty.

In 2022, more than 30 women came forward on social media with allegations of sexual assault against Julian Contreras, the owner of Kin Coffee Bar in San Luis Obispo, and Abate, the owner of Nate's Barber in Atascadero. Abate then changed the name of his business to Cardinal Barbershop.

Julian Contreras

Contreras turned over the management of his café first to his girlfriend, then to his mother, who changed the name to Glo Coffee Co. After law enforcement obtained arrest warrants for the two alleged rapists, Contreras allegedly fled to Mexico.