A 63-year-old man from Texas has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison after kidnapping a 13-year-old girl, driving her across state lines to California, and subjecting her to a harrowing ordeal that included threats with a firearm and sexual assault. The incident, which unfolded on July 9, 2023, came to a dramatic conclusion outside a laundromat in Long Beach, California, where the victim managed to signal for help.
Steven Robert Sablan, who pleaded guilty to kidnapping earlier this year, was apprehended after the girl scrawled the words "Help Me!" on a piece of paper and displayed it from a silver Nissan Sentra while parked near the laundromat on East 10th Street. A passerby noticed her desperate plea and promptly alerted the authorities. When the police arrived, the girl was able to mouth the word "help," prompting officers to rescue her from the vehicle.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Sablan abducted the girl in San Antonio, Texas, and drove her to California, where he threatened her with a gun to maintain control during the journey. The girl endured sexual assault during this traumatic experience. Following her rescue, she was taken to safety, and Sablan was arrested shortly thereafter.
In a statement regarding the sentencing, Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph T. McNally emphasized the importance of protecting children from such heinous acts. He commended the collaborative efforts of federal and local law enforcement that led to the girl’s rescue and Sablan’s conviction. In addition to his prison sentence, Sablan has been ordered to pay restitution of $1,158 to the victim.
The case highlights the ongoing issues of child abduction and human trafficking, raising awareness about the vulnerabilities faced by young individuals. It also underscores the critical role that community vigilance plays in ensuring the safety of children, as demonstrated by the actions of the bystander who alerted the police.