A man accused of kidnapping a 13-year-old girl at gunpoint in Texas and sexually assaulting her during a harrowing drive to Long Beach is now facing federal charges.
Steven Robert Sablan, 61, from Cleburne, Texas, has been indicted on kidnapping and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
His arraignment is scheduled for July 31 in downtown Los Angeles.
The terrifying incident occurred when the girl was walking in San Antonio on July 6. Sablan pulled up alongside her in a gray Nissan Sentra, brandishing a gun, and forced her into the car.
He asked her age, to which she replied 13. Sablan then told her he could take her to visit a friend in Australia on a cruise ship, but he demanded something in return.
He subjected the young girl to repeated sexual assaults while driving her towards California, assaulting her at least two more times during the journey.
On July 9, while Sablan was away at a laundromat washing their clothes in Long Beach, the girl took a brave step to seek help.
She wrote "Help Me" on a note and showed it to passersby from inside the car. This courageous act led one of them to call the police.
Responding officers found the girl, and she managed to mouth the word "help" to them, confirming her distress.
Long Beach police promptly located and arrested Sablan, thanks to the community's vigilance and involvement.
In the suspect's car, officers discovered the girl's "help me" note, along with a black BB gun and handcuffs.
It was later revealed that she had been reported as a runaway in San Antonio.
If convicted on the current charges, Sablan could face life in federal prison.
In another news, a US Tourist is facing jail time in Dubai after she had an argument with a car rental employee. See details here
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