“The 35-year sentence imposed ensures this defendant will not have the opportunity to victimize children,” said Acting U.S. Atty. Joseph T. McNally in a news release. “There is nothing as important as protecting our young people. I commend our federal and local law enforcement partners for their efforts to secure justice here.”

Sablan said that he abducted the victim — who told him that she was 13 years old — in San Antonio and drove her to Long Beach, using a firearm to keep her under control, according to the release.

The girl was sexually assaulted during the journey to California.

“[Sablan] violently abducted a child and repeatedly sexually assaulted her while driving her thousands of miles from her home,” prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum. “And while [Sablan] spent days abusing her for his own pleasure, her parents agonized over their missing child, fearing the worst. The worst was not far from reality.”