Steven Robert Sablan, a 61-year-old man from Cleburne, Texas, is facing serious charges after he allegedly kidnapped a 13-year-old girl at gunpoint in San Antonio and sexually assaulted her during a harrowing cross-state drive to California.
Officials from the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that Sablan was arrested in Long Beach last week on charges of kidnapping and transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. He was indicted on July 20.
According to court documents, Sablan forced the young victim into his vehicle at gunpoint while she was walking down a street in San Antonio on July 6. He then told her he could take her on a cruise ship to see her friend in Australia. Throughout the journey from Texas to California, the 61-year-old allegedly sexually assaulted the girl multiple times.
However, the victim’s quick thinking and bravery helped bring the horrifying ordeal to an end. On July 9, while Sablan went into a laundromat in Long Beach to wash clothes, the girl stayed in the car and managed to write “help me” on a piece of paper to get someone’s attention. A witness saw the distressing message and immediately called the police.
Law enforcement arrived at the scene and found Sablan outside the vehicle with the victim inside, who silently mouthed “help.” Subsequent searches of the vehicle uncovered a black BB gun, the “help me” sign, and a pair of handcuffs.
The victim was reported missing from San Antonio, leading to a broader investigation into the case by the FBI and police departments in Long Beach and Cleburne.
If convicted of both charges of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor, Sablan faces the possibility of life imprisonment in federal prison.
Sex trafficking is an act of exploitation that has become an increasingly visible issue in the United States. It can take many forms, such as forced labor, sexual exploitation, and child prostitution. The Long Beach case exemplifies how traffickers can use different methods to prey upon innocent victims and should serve as a warning to be aware of such tactics.
If you know somebody who might be a victim of sex trafficking or sexual assault, encourage them to seek the help of the Women’s Rights Group in California to explore legal options, file a lawsuit, and claim financial compensation.
