A Texas man has pleaded guilty to kidnapping a 13-year-old girl. The girl was rescued in California when an attentive passerby saw her holding up a sign that read “Help!” Sign on parked car.
according to to the statement Stephen Robert Sablan, 62, of Cleburne, Texas, pleaded guilty to the charges from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California.
A 62-year-old man admitted to sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl after kidnapping her.
Sablan kidnapped the Texas teenager in San Antonio on July 6, 2023, then drove him to California.
Kidnapped Texas teen waves 'help' sign and is rescued by good Samaritans in California
This undated photo released by the U.S. Department of Justice shows the sign used by a 13-year-old girl who was kidnapped in Texas. According to a statement received on Friday, January 19, 2024, from the United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, Stephen Robert Sablan, 62, of Cleburne, Texas, sexually assaulted the victim while giving her a ride. He admitted to the crime in a plea agreement. From Texas to California. (U.S. Department of Justice, via AP, File)
The girl's nightmare began while she was walking through Texas City.
Sablan allegedly approached the victim, held a black handgun next to him and ordered him to get into his sedan.
Sablan allegedly told the boy, “If you don't get in the car with me, I'm going to hurt you,'' and the boy complied and got into the car.
Police car with lights on during riot. (St. Petersburg)
According to court documents, the 62-year-old man began driving the car and told the girl he could take her on a cruise ship to meet a friend in Australia.
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Sablan reportedly told the boy, “First I have to do something for him.”
After that, adults sexually assaulted her He continued to rape her as they drove from Texas to California.
Long Beach police are investigating a man on suspicion of two assaults on women. (Long Beach Police Department)
On July 9, Sablan parked his car in Long Beach, California, and went into a laundromat to wash his clothes while the victim remained in the car.
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While the victim was distracted, the girl wrote “help me” on a piece of paper in an attempt to get someone's attention, authorities said.
A witness saw the girl and called the police. long beach police department, those who arrived found Sablan outside the car. According to authorities, the boy yelled at authorities from inside the house to “help me.”
Authorities rescued a 13-year-old girl in Long Beach, California. (Hyattsville Police Department)
Upon searching the vehicle, officers recovered a black BB gun, a “help me” sign and handcuffs.
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Sablan was arrested and is scheduled to be sentenced to federal prison on October 25th, with a minimum sentence of 20 years and a statutory maximum of life in prison.
