LOS ANGELES — A Texas man has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl.
Steven Robert Sablan, 63, of Cleburne, Texas, kidnapped the victim in San Antonio in 2023 and drove her to Southern California. He was arrested in Long Beach.
Sablan pleaded guilty in January 2024. He was additionally ordered to pay $1,158 in restitution.
“The 35-year sentence imposed ensures this defendant will not have the opportunity to victimize children,” said Acting United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally. “There is nothing as important as protecting our young people. I commend our federal and local law enforcement partners for their efforts to secure justice here.”
According to court documents, on July 6, 2023, Sablan noticed the victim walking down a street and threatened her with a gun to enter his vehicle, saying, “If you don’t get in the car with me, I am going to hurt you.” The victim followed his orders.
On July 9, 2023, the victim took matters into her hands to seek help and escape. Sablan had parked his car at a Long Beach lot to wash their clothes at a laundromat. The victim stayed behind in the car while he did laundry.
When Sablan was out of sight, the victim wrote “Help Me!” on a piece of paper to tip someone off. She ended up getting the attention of a witness who phoned police about what they saw.
According to the witness, they saw Sablan standing outside the vehicle and the victim who mouthed the word “Help.” When officers began searching Sablan’s vehicle, they found a black BB gun, the “Help Me” sign and a pair of handcuffs.
