Federal Authorities Investigate Steven Sablan's Abduction of Girl Displaying 'Help Me' Sign

Share this @internewscast.com

Images, inset via KABC (Los Angeles, Calif.)

A 13-year-old Texas girl allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint and sexually assaulted multiple times as her captor drove her to California has been rescued after waving a “Help Me!” sign at strangers, officials say.

Steven Robert Sablan, 61, is charged with one count of kidnapping and one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, the Justice Department announced in a press release.

Federal prosecutors say that the girl was walking down a street in San Antonio, Texas, on July 6 when Sablan approached her in his car, a gray Nissan Sentra.

“If you don’t get in the car with me, I am going to hurt you,” Sablan allegedly said while raising a black handgun to his side. The girl, fearing for her life, obeyed, prosecutors said.

While driving with the victim, Sablan allegedly asked her how old she was. After she told Sablan that she had a friend in Australia, the defendant allegedly told the girl he could take her to a cruise ship to visit her friend, but “she had to do something for him first,” according to the press release.

He then repeatedly sexually assaulted her, according to court documents, and continued to do so over the next two days as he drove the girl from Texas to California.

On the morning of July 9, Sablan allegedly parked the car in a lot in Long Beach, a port city located around 30 miles south of Los Angeles, and took his and the victim’s clothes to a laundromat.

According to federal investigators, that’s when the girl made the move that led to her rescue.

“While Sablan was in the laundromat, the victim stayed in the car and wrote ‘Help me!’ on a piece of paper to try and get someone’s attention,” the DOJ press release said. A witness called the police, who found Sablan standing outside the car when they got to the scene.

The victim reportedly mouthed the word “help” from inside the car, according to court filings.

“During a search of the vehicle, officers retrieved a black BB gun, a ‘Help me’ sign, and a pair of handcuffs,” the press release said. “Law enforcement determined the victim was a reported runaway missing person from San Antonio.”

If convicted of both charges, Sablan faces a potential sentence of up to life in prison. He is scheduled to be arraigned on July 31, according to the press release.

Share this @internewscast.com

Facebook X Reddit Pinterest

Federal Authorities Investigate Steven Sablan’s Abduction of Girl Displaying ‘Help Me’ Sign

Up next

The Failed Menu Experiment: Exploring the Debacle of Burger King’s Ch’King

Author

Internewscast

Tags

Share this @internewscast.com

Share this @internewscast.com

Shocking Lawsuit Unveils Nurse’s Alleged History of Infant Abuse: Disturbing Details Emerge

Tragic Loss: 8-Year-Old Girl Fatally Struck by Speeding Driver While Biking to Friend’s Sleepover

Elderly Woman Viciously Attacked While Walking Dog: Shocking Random Stabbing in Local Neighborhood

Repeat Offender Strikes Again: Shocking University Avenue Assault Highlights Rising Safety Concerns

Tragic Incident: Man’s Chilling Warning Before Allegedly Shooting Ex-Fiancée

Shocking Child Abuse Uncovered: Teacher’s Discovery After Terrifying Ordeal of Abuse and Neglect

Tragedy Strikes: Expectant Mother Loses Partner in High-Speed Collision with Fleeing Suspect

Lawsuit Claims Dental Student Passed Away in ICU Without In-Person Doctor, Relying on Remote Telehealth Assessment

Father Contacts Uncle to Retrieve Children After Allegedly Killing Their Mother with an Ax and Fleeing State, Police Report

Teen Allegedly Confesses to Girlfriend About Dismembering Murder Victim, Collects Blood Samples: Police Report

Man Brandishes Knife at Whataburger Manager During Termination, Claims Past Murder: Police Report

Gainesville Incident: Local Man Bites Officer Following Rollover Crash Arrest

Breaking: Trump Throws Support Behind Steve Hilton for California Governor – What This Means for the Race

Lee Ryan Faces TikTok Ban Amid Controversial Moon and UPF Conspiracy Claims

Tragic Incident at Easter Egg Hunt Claims Lives of Young Mother, Infant, and Teenager

Alyssa Thompson’s £1m Journey: From LA Starlet to Chelsea Heroine in Chilly London, Navigating Family Sacrifices and a Pivotal Arsenal Showdown

Federal Authorities Investigate Steven Sablan’s Abduction of Girl Displaying ‘Help Me’ Sign

Up next

Author

Internewscast

Tags

Share this @internewscast.com

Share this @internewscast.com

You May Also Like