Current:Home > FinanceTexas man pleads guilty to kidnapping teen whose ‘Help Me!’ sign led to Southern California rescue-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Texas man pleads guilty to kidnapping teen whose ‘Help Me!’ sign led to Southern California rescue
View Date:2024-12-23 20:07:51
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.
The girl was rescued July 9 in Long Beach, south of Los Angeles, after a passerby called 911 to report seeing her hold up the piece of paper with the handwritten desperate plea for help.
Sablan, who has been in federal custody since July 2023, pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping, prosecutors said.
His attorney to not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Saturday.
In 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.
An FBI agent wrote in an affidavit supporting the criminal complaint that the girl was walking down a street in San Antonio on July 6 when Sablan drove up, raised a black handgun and told her, “If you don’t get in the car with me, I am going to hurt you.”
A sentencing hearing was set for Oct. 25. Sablan will face a mandatory minimum of 20 years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of life.
veryGood! (3)
Related
- San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had mild stroke this month, team says
- Dad admits leaving his 3 kids alone at Cedar Point while he rode roller coasters: Police
- Andrew Tate placed under house arrest as new human trafficking allegations emerge involving minors
- Body of British tech magnate Mike Lynch is recovered from wreckage of superyacht, coast guard says
- New Orleans marks with parade the 64th anniversary of 4 little girls integrating city schools
- ChatGPT bans multiple accounts linked to Iranian operation creating false news reports
- Two tons of meth disguised as watermelon seized at border; valued over $5 million
- See George Clooney’s memorable moments at Venice Film Festival as actor prepares to return
- Elena Rose has made hits for JLo, Becky G and more. Now she's stepping into the spotlight.
- Taye Diggs talks Lifetime movie 'Forever,' dating and being 'a recovering control freak'
Ranking
- Tuskegee University closes its campus to the public, fires security chief after shooting
- Man caught on video stealing lemonade-stand money from Virginia 10-year-old siblings
- Zoe Kravitz’s Film Blink Twice Issues Trigger Warning Amid It Ends With Us Criticism
- Which Love Is Blind UK Couples Got Married and Which Ones Split?
- Women’s baseball players could soon have a league of their own again
- Canada’s largest railroads have come to a full stop. Here’s what you need to know
- 'Pommel horse guy' Stephen Nedoroscik joins 'Dancing with the Stars' Season 33
- Man charged in 2017 double homicide found dead at Virginia jail
Recommendation
-
Mississippi woman pleads guilty to stealing Social Security funds
-
Love Actually's Martine McCutcheon Reveals Husband Broke Up With Her After 18 Years Together
-
Slumping Mariners to fire manager Scott Servais
-
Kamala Harris with Beyoncé? Yes, but the star singer was only heard through loudspeakers
-
Agents search home of ex-lieutenant facing scrutiny as police probe leak of school shooting evidence
-
Isabella Strahan Reacts to Comment About Hair Growth Amid Cancer Journey
-
US Open storylines: Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Olympics letdown, doping controversy
-
Jessica Alba Shares Heartwarming Insight Into Family Life With Her and Cash Warren’s 3 Kids