Warning: This article contains discussion of rape which some readers may find distressing.
A Texas man convicted of child rape is expected to spend the rest of his life in prison after a courageous 13-year-old girl managed to outwit him while being held captive in his vehicle.
Steven Robert Sablan, from Cleburne, which is about a 35-minute drive from Fort Worth, abducted the young girl at gunpoint in San Antonio on July 6, 2023. He then drove her across state lines in his gray Nissan Sentra, finally reaching Long Beach, California.
“Mr. Sablan took this young girl from the safety of her Texas home and repeatedly sexually assaulted her at gunpoint throughout a lengthy drive of terror to California,” said Akil Davis, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office.
Over four days, Sablan, who was 61 at the time, kept the girl captive, subjecting her to repeated abuse until her escape near a Los Angeles laundromat showcased her remarkable bravery.
Around 10:30 am on July 9, 2023, authorities were alerted to the laundromat where they encountered the ‘visibly emotional and distressed’ girl. The tip-off came from two good Samaritans in a parking lot who spotted a sign in the car window that read ‘Help Me!’
On Friday, Sablan, now 63, was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison and ordered to pay $1,158 in restitution.
“The 35-year sentence imposed ensures this defendant will not have the opportunity to victimize children,” remarked acting US 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.”
Sablan, who had no familial or legal ties to the girl, pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping in January 2024, after being held in federal custody since his July 2023 arrest.
Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish commented: “This sentencing announcement represents a collaborative commitment to holding individuals accountable for victimizing and inflicting trauma upon our children.”
“I am deeply grateful to our officers and federal law enforcement partners from the FBI and DOJ for their tireless efforts on this case.”
In a sentencing memorandum, prosecutors stated: “[Sablan] violently abducted a child and repeatedly sexually assaulted her while driving her thousands of miles from her home.
“And while [Sablan] spent days abusing her for his own pleasure, her parents agonized over their missing child, fearing the worst. The worst was not far from reality.”
If you have been affected by any of the issues mentioned in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673), which is available 24/7, or chat online at online.rainn.org