A federal grand jury indicted a Texas man Thursday who
allegedly kidnapped a 13-year-old girl at gunpoint in Texas, drove her to
California, and sexually assaulted her multiple times before his arrest in Long
Beach last week.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Steven Robert
Sablan, 61, of Cleburne, is charged with one count of kidnapping and one count
of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
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| Steven Sablan alleged kidnapper at his arraignment. Artwork by Bill Robles |
His arraignment was arraigned on July 31 in the United States District Court in
Los Angeles.
According to the indictment and an affidavit previously
filed with a criminal complaint in this matter, on July 6 in San Antonio, the
victim was walking down a street when Sablan, driving a gray Nissan Sentra,
approached her. Sablan allegedly raised a black handgun to his side and told
the victim to get in the car, saying "If you don't get in the car with me,
I am going to hurt you."
Fearing for her life, the victim obeyed Sablan, court
documents allege Sablan allegedly began driving with the victim in the car and
asked her how old she was. Court documents state the victim said she was 13
years old, and – after later mentioning she had a friend in Australia – Sablan
allegedly told the victim he could take her to a cruise ship to visit this
friend, but she had to do something for him first.
He then repeatedly sexually assaulted the victim, according
to court documents. Over the next two days, Sablan allegedly drove the victim
from Texas to California and sexually assaulted her at least two more times.
On the morning of July 9, Sablan parked the car in a lot in
Long Beach and took their clothes to a laundromat for washing. 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, according to court documents.
A stranger saw the note, and notified law enforcement and Sablan was arrested.
