BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) \u2014 After communicating on Fortnite, a Santa Ana man drove hours to meet a Bakersfield teen, his heart set on moving to a house in a forest where they could live together happily and someday start a family, court documents said.<\/p>\n
As it turns out, Sergio Estrada won\u2019t be starting a new life in a peaceful woodland setting \u2014 he\u2019s headed to prison.<\/p>\n
Estrada, 20, on Friday pleaded no contest to child stealing and was sentenced to three years in prison and lifetime sex offender registration, prosecutors said. Other charges, including contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sex act, were dismissed.<\/p>\n
The charges stemmed from Estrada\u2019s arrest June 11, when deputies located him and the girl, then 14, holding hands while walking in east Bakersfield.<\/p>\n
The teen\u2019s mother had reported her missing, saying she last saw her the day before and believed she was with a man she met through online video game Fortnite. The two had allegedly been in contact for two years.<\/p>\n
Estrada told investigators he knew the girl was underage, but \u201cshe was alright with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
They only hugged and held hands, he said, adding he tried to kiss her but stopped because she became uncomfortable.<\/p>\n
His plan was to live with the girl in a secluded spot in the forest so they could \u201cbe together forever,\u201d Estrada said according to the documents.<\/p>\n
The girl was returned to her family and Estrada was booked into jail, where he remains.<\/p>\n
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