Nathan Daniel Abate, 36 of SLO, was convicted on multiple charges of rape and rape of an intoxicated person, plus a slew of sentencing enhancements, on Oct. 18 in SLO County Superior Court.
The District Attorney announced the conviction of a San Luis Obispo man on charges he fed alcohol and drugs to unsuspecting under-age women and then took advantage of them, his crimes occurring over several years time.
According to a news release, “Nathan Daniel Abate, 36, was convicted Oct. 18 by a San Luis Obispo County jury of three counts of sexual assault on two separate victims, which occurred between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 21, 2012.”
After a nearly 3-week trial, the D.A.’s Office said, the jury, “received evidence describing numerous acts of sexual assault against several young female victims over the course of several years.
“Prosecutors presented evidence demonstrating a consistent pattern of conduct by Abate where he provided alcohol to youthful women, after which he sexually assaulted them.”
Abate was convicted of: Forcible Rape (Count 2); Rape of an Intoxicated Victim (Count 3); and Oral Copulation of a Person Under the Age of 18 (Count 4).
The jury deadlocked on an allegation of Forcible Rape of a third victim, with nine of the 12 jurors voting guilty.
Abate’s crimes drew several special circumstances that will ultimately add years to his prison sentence. “The jury,” the release said, “also found true five factors in aggravation including: the victims were particularly vulnerable; Abate induced a minor to participate in the crime; the crimes were carried out with planning and sophistication; Abate violated a position of trust when committing his crimes; and Abate engaged in violent conduct that posed a serious danger to society.”
The D.A. praised the victims. “I want to commend the young women who bravely reported the crimes that had occurred when they were much younger and so vulnerable,” said D.A. Dan Dow. “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. I also thank the jurors for their time and attention in serving on this very important case.”
Abate is slated to be sentenced by Judge Michael Frye on Nov. 12, and until then Abate remains locked up at the County Jail. The case was investigated by the County Sheriff’s Office, San Luis Obispo Police Department, and the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation. The prosecutor was Dep. D. A.
Kimberly Dittrich of the Sexual Assault & Child Abuse Unit.
The D.A. is offering help to victims of sexual assault. “If you have been the victim of sexual assault, please know that there are individuals and organizations that are willing and able to support you.”
Victims are encouraged to contact the local police agency where the crime(s) occurred and/or a crime victim organization such as Lumina Alliance in San Luis Obispo.
The SLO County Christopher G. Money Victim Witness Assistance Center can also assist, call (805) 781-5821.
