A Turlock man was sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison after abducting a teenage girl and evading law enforcement for months, federal prosecutors announced.
Cristian Ceja, 28, received a sentence of 15 years and eight months on Thursday from U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez for transporting a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith said.
According to court records, Ceja met the victim while working as a food delivery driver, later tracking her down on social media and initiating a lengthy sexual relationship. The victim was 15 at the time. Ceja would sneak into the minor victim’s bedroom to have sex with her without being detected by her parents. On at least two occasions, Ceja video recorded himself engaging in sexual contact with the minor victim. Ceja kept used condoms and used feminine hygiene products in his storage unit as souvenirs of his relationship with the minor victim.
On Aug. 26, 2023, the victim’s mother contacted authorities after discovering provocative photographs in her daughter’s bedroom, suspecting she was involved with an adult. Hours later, Ceja fled with the girl, determined to evade law enforcement while continuing the relationship.
Authorities said Ceja took extensive measures to avoid being found. He placed stolen license plates on his vehicle, obliterated the VIN from the dashboard, and spray-painted the car a different color. He adopted a false identity and discarded his phone, relying on a burner device to stay off-grid.
The pair first stayed in Nevada, living in Ceja’s vehicle for about a week before moving to a remote area of Idaho. There, they lived in a small camper trailer without running water or heat for several months.
The victim was rescued on Jan. 3, 2024, after she managed to contact a family member through social media, saying she wanted to return home but could not escape on her own. Authorities in Stanislaus County worked with Idaho law enforcement to locate the trailer, rescue the girl, and arrest Ceja.
Ceja faced multiple felony charges, including contacting a minor for sexual gratification, using electronic communications for sexual contact, and oral copulation of a minor. He was also charged with misdemeanor offenses such as harboring a runaway and drug possession.
The case was investigated by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations and was prosecuted under Project Safe Childhood, a federal initiative focused on combatting child sexual exploitation and abuse.
