Balbino Sablad, Child Exploitation, California 2019

A Vallejo man was sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison for flying to the Philippines with the intention of engaging in sexual conduct with a child under the age of 16.

Balbino Sablad, 81, of Vallejo, was sentenced on today and ordered to pay a fine of $3,500 for traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, in 2019, Sablad flew to the Philippines with the intention of engaging in sexual conduct with a child under the age of 16. Using Facebook, Sablad had engaged in sexual chats with a person he believed was the intended minor victim and he sent the intended minor victim over $2,000 prior to his travel to the Philippines. Before he arrived, he also discussed with a co-conspirator his plan to sexually abuse the intended minor victim in the Philippines.

“Today’s sentence reflects the disturbing lengths the defendant was willing to go to engage in sexual acts with a child,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “Our office is committed to doing everything we can to help ensure that children are protected from future crimes by predators like the defendant.”

The case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rosanne Rust prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Balbino Sablad, 81, of Vallejo, California.

Mandatory Facts:
Defendant: Balbino Sablad
Crime: Traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct
City and State: Vallejo, California
Date: 2019
Sentence: Five years and 10 months in prison
Fine: $3,500
Dollar Amount: $2,000

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