Imagine the terror of being kidnapped at gunpoint from a busy street and taken thousands of miles away from home. This nightmare became a reality for a 13-year-old girl in San Antonio, Texas. However, thanks to her quick thinking and the help of a “good Samaritan,” she was able to escape and bring her captor to justice.
A Harrowing Ordeal
Steven Sablan, a 62-year-old man with no legal custody or familial relationship to the victim, targeted the young girl as she walked near a bus stop. He threatened her with a gun and forced her into his vehicle. From there, he embarked on a horrifying journey that spanned over 1,300 miles from Texas to California.
During the journey, Sablan sexually assaulted the girl multiple times, ignoring her pleas to stop. However, the brave teenager refused to give up. After two days of enduring unimaginable trauma, she seized an opportunity at a laundromat in Long Beach, California. Left alone in the car, she scribbled a note that said, “help me,” and flashed it through the car window to a “good Samaritan” passing by.
The concerned individual wasted no time and dialed 911, alerting the authorities to the girl’s location. Meanwhile, the girl’s mother had also reported her missing, unaware of the horrors her daughter was facing.
The Guilty Plea
Federal prosecutors announced that Steven Sablan pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping and admitted to sexually assaulting the girl. The evidence against him was overwhelming, including the victim’s harrowing account and the recovery of a plastic BB handgun, handcuffs, and a knife. Sablan had previously been convicted of robbery with a deadly weapon, possession of a controlled substance, and had an outstanding warrant for a burglary charge.
Seeking Justice
While Sablan awaits sentencing in a federal detention center in Los Angeles, the young victim and her family can find solace in the fact that he will likely face a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and potentially life imprisonment.
This heart-wrenching story highlights the importance of personal safety awareness and the power of quick thinking. It serves as a poignant reminder that even in the face of unimaginable circumstances, courage and resourcefulness can prevail.
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(Source: United States District Court via KXAS)