A Texas man accused of kidnapping a 13-year-old girl and raping her repeatedly as he drove her to California has pleaded guilty to kidnapping charges.
The teen was rescued on July 9, 2023, when a passerby saw the girl sitting in Steven Robert Sablan’s car holding up a “Help Me!” sign, as CrimeOnline reported. The Good Samaritan called police, who arrived at the laundromat, where Sablan had stopped to wash the pair’s clothes, and saw the girl inside the car.
She mouthed, “Help,” and officers took Sablan into custody, finding a BB gun, the “Help me” note, and handcuffs in the car.
Sablan had abducted the girl from San Antonio three days earlier, waving the gun and telling her he’d hurt her if she didn’t comply. He raped her several times as they drove to Long Beach.
Sablan admitted to sexually assaulting the girl and pleaded guilty to kidnapping, the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California said.
Sentencing has been scheduled for October 25, when Sablan faces between 20 years and life in prison.
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[Featured image: The note and the gun/US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California]
