LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Texas man has pleaded guilty to kidnapping a 13-year-old girl who was rescued in Southern California when a passerby saw her hold up a “Help Me!” sign in a parked car.
A statement Friday from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California said Steven Robert Sablan, 62, of Cleburne, Texas, admitted in a plea agreement that he sexually assaulted the victim while driving her from Texas to California.
Sablan, who has been in federal custody since July 2023, pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping, prosecutors said.
Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesIn July, Sablan was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of kidnapping and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
Sablan will face a mandatory minimum of 20 years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of life.
Persons:
—, Steven Robert Sablan, Sablan
Organizations:
ANGELES, Attorney’s, Central District of, FBI
Locations:
Southern California, Central District, Central District of California, Cleburne , Texas, Texas, California, Long Beach, Los Angeles, San Antonio