Balbino Sablad, Child Sex Trafficking, California 2019

VALLEJO, Calif. – In a shocking case of child exploitation, a Vallejo man has been indicted for traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. Balbino Sablad, 79, was charged with two counts: traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and conspiracy to do the same.

According to court documents, Sablad flew to the Philippines in 2019 with the intention of engaging in sexual conduct with a child under the age of 16. He had engaged in sexual chats with the intended victim over Facebook and had sent her at least $1,800 prior to his travel to the Philippines. He had also discussed with a co-conspirator his plan to sexually abuse the victim in the Philippines.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mira Chernick is prosecuting the case.

Sablad was arrested on July 1, 2021. If convicted, Sablad faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 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.

Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.

Defendant Information:

Defendant Name: Balbino Sablad

Criminal Charges: Traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and conspiracy to do the same

City and State: Vallejo, California

Arrest Date: July 1, 2021

Sentence or Outcome: Currently Indicted

Dollar Amounts: $1,800 and $250,000

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