A Texas man has been arrested and charged with kidnapping a San Antonio girl at gunpoint and repeatedly assaulting her on a trip to California, according to a U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California news release. Federal authorities said the girl escaped by writing "help me" on a piece of paper to alert someone she was unsafe.
Steven Robert Sablan, 61, of Celburne in North Texas, allegedly drove the girl to Long Beach, California and sexually assaulted her multiple times before his arrest. The release stated Sablan is being charged with one count of kidnapping and one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
Authorities said the 13-year-old girl was walking down the street in San Antonio on July 6 when Sablan approached her in a gray Nissan Sentra. The 61-year-old man allegedly raised a black handgun to his side and said to the girl, "if you don't get in the car with me, I am going to hurt you." The released stated the girl got in the car and Sablan began driving her to California.
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On July 9, Sablan stopped at a laundromat, where he left the girl in the car, according to the release. She proceeded to write "Help me!" on a piece of paper to try and alert someone she was in danger. Authorities said a witness then called the police, who arrived and found the girl mouthing "help" as Sablan stood outside the vehicle.
Sablan is scheduled to be arraigned on July 31 in a U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles, according to the release. If Seblan is convicted of both charges, he could face up to life in prison.