The parents of two young girls told a judge they were both traumatized by a man who grabbed them during separate but unsuccessful kidnapping attempts at a mall in Mission Valley.
“Now, at 7 years old, she still carries fear of strangers, fear of leaving home … and lingering fear the bad man will come back,” one mother said last week during a sentencing hearing in San Diego Superior Court.
The parents, along with the prosecutor, asked Judge Marian Gaston for the maximum sentence of 12 years for Rene Arturo Lujan, Jr., 44, who pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted kidnapping and possession of child pornography on his computer.
The judge opted for a 10-year term in state prison for Lujan, who showed no reaction as he stood in jail clothes in a glass module unit in the courtroom.
“He was motivated by a sexual interest in children. We know from the computer evidence what he wanted to do,” said Deputy District Attorney Eva Kilayan, adding that child pornography was found on Lujan’s computer that included a video on “girl torture.”
“This is every parent’s nightmare,” said Kilayan.
One parent called Lujan “a really sick man.”
“What would a guy do with a 5-year-old child?” he continued, angrily. “He cannot be around kids. Protect our kids, please.”
“I shudder to think what would have happened. How was that going to end?” the father added. “The word unforgettable has new meaning to me.”
Must register as sex offender
Gaston ordered Lujan to register as a sex offender once he is paroled from prison, wherever he lives. This registration with local police departments is lifelong. This also carries consequences, such as limitations on where Lujan could be employed or live.
“He has a lack of insight,” said the judge, who added he “did take responsibility” by pleading guilty to all charges.
The first incident occurred on June 18, 2024, at 1:30 p.m., when a 6-year-old girl was leaving the mall with her mother and younger sister. Lujan grabbed the girl and attempted to put her in his black Chevrolet VOLT car.
However, a 17-year-old employee of Inflatable World heard the girl scream and grabbed her away from Lujan. Inflatable World was a playground in the parking lot at Camino del Rio North. Lujan quickly drove away.
Two days later, on June 20, 2024, Lujan tried to kidnap a 5-year-old girl, but was thwarted again. Police obtained his car’s license plate; he was arrested hours later after the department’s automated license plate reader system found his car. He was pulled over on State Route 94 near Home Avenue.
Lujan’s attorney, Kristen Haden, asked for a sentence of five years and eight months in prison.
“He is certainly remorseful for his actions,” said Haden, who added he had “significant mental health issues.”
Lujan’s father, Rene Alejandro Lujan, Sr., stepped forward and told the judge his son “was abused when he was five years old.” His father said “his temperament changed” after being molested.
It is not uncommon for someone who molests others to also be someone who was molested in childhood themselves.
“He is worth saving, I would hope,” said Lujan’s father. “I apologize to the families of the children.”
Gaston gave him credit for serving 1,315 days in jail, including time off for good behavior and a $300 fine.
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