A Texas man drove to California for kidnapping a 13-year-old girl from San Antonio, was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison, threatened her with a gun and sexually assaulted her before being arrested on Long Beach, authorities said. .
She was rescued from a 63-year-old kidnapper and was conducted outside a laundry on East 10th Street, Long Beach on July 9, 2023.
The girl said “Help me!” She used a red pen on a torn piece of paper as she sat in a silver sentinel, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Central District, California. Officials said people passing by saw requests for help and called police. When the police arrived, she lifted the word “help” and they removed her from the car.
Steven Robert Sablan of Clayburn, Texas pleaded guilty in January 2024. Authorities say he has been under federal custody since the incident. He was also ordered to pay $1,158 in damages.
“The 35-year sentence was sentenced to ensure that the defendant would not have a chance to bring the child to victimization,” said Atty, the agent of our agent. Joseph T. McNally in the press release. “Nothing is as important as protecting our young people. I commend our federal and local law enforcement partners for their efforts here to ensure justice.”
Sabran said he kidnapped the victim in San Antonio – telling him she was 13 and took her to Long Beach to control her with a gun.
The girl was sexually assaulted during her journey to California.
“[Sablan] “A child was violently kidnapped and repeatedly sexual assaulted while driving thousands of miles.” “And,” the prosecutor said in a sentencing memo. [Sablan] Spending several days to abuse her for her own happiness, her parents are bothering with the missing children, worried about the worst. The worst situation is not far from reality. ”
