What began as an investigation into a suspected marijuana-growing farm in Northern California has led to <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/30/justice/california-teen-slave">allegations of a 15-year-old girl being held captive</a> in a coffinlike metal box and sexually abused. Authorities said the girl sometimes was held in a metal toolbox 4 feet long, 2 feet wide and 2 feet high at the farm, where she worked trimming marijuana plants, in Lake County, north of San Francisco. She told authorities that two men "put her in the box to 'teach' her because they had a 'point to prove,' " according to a criminal complaint.
Teen allegedly held in box on pot farm —
What began as an investigation into a suspected marijuana-growing farm in Northern California has led to allegations of a 15-year-old girl being held captive in a coffinlike metal box and sexually abused. Authorities said the girl sometimes was held in a metal toolbox 4 feet long, 2 feet wide and 2 feet high at the farm, where she worked trimming marijuana plants, in Lake County, north of San Francisco. She told authorities that two men "put her in the box to 'teach' her because they had a 'point to prove,' " according to a criminal complaint.
Lake County Sheriffís Department
Ryan Balletto, 30, left, and Patrick Pearmain, 24, have been criminally charged in federal court with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute more than 1,000 marijuana plants and with using a minor in a drug operation. Pearmain also faces state charges of kidnapping to commit robbery or rape and unlawful sex with a minor, and Balletto faces state charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a child. Efforts to reach attorneys for the men were not successful. They are due in court Wednesday, July 31.
Teen allegedly held in box on pot farm —
Ryan Balletto, 30, left, and Patrick Pearmain, 24, have been criminally charged in federal court with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute more than 1,000 marijuana plants and with using a minor in a drug operation. Pearmain also faces state charges of kidnapping to commit robbery or rape and unlawful sex with a minor, and Balletto faces state charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a child. Efforts to reach attorneys for the men were not successful. They are due in court Wednesday, July 31.
Lake County Sheriff
Authorities initially found two greenhouses at the Lake County property with 970 potted and irrigated marijuana plants, according to the complaint, and later discovered a third greenhouse with another 346 plants.
Teen allegedly held in box on pot farm —
Authorities initially found two greenhouses at the Lake County property with 970 potted and irrigated marijuana plants, according to the complaint, and later discovered a third greenhouse with another 346 plants.
Lake County Sheriffís Department
The girl called the alleged marijuana-growing operation a "mission," saying the men locked her in the box to protect the operation, according to the complaint. Federal authorities declined to comment on the girl's whereabouts or current condition.
Teen allegedly held in box on pot farm —
The girl called the alleged marijuana-growing operation a "mission," saying the men locked her in the box to protect the operation, according to the complaint. Federal authorities declined to comment on the girl's whereabouts or current condition.
Lake County Sheriffís Department
Authorities discovered a large stash of weapons at the farm as well as at Balletto's residence, according to the complaint and U.S. attorney's office. Lake County Sheriff's Department Lt. Chris Chwialkowski said the stash was one of the largest collection of weapons seized in his department's history.
Teen allegedly held in box on pot farm —
Authorities discovered a large stash of weapons at the farm as well as at Balletto's residence, according to the complaint and U.S. attorney's office. Lake County Sheriff's Department Lt. Chris Chwialkowski said the stash was one of the largest collection of weapons seized in his department's history.
Lake County Sheriffís Department