Feds: Pot Farmer Confessed To Keeping Southland Girl, 15, In Box
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Federal prosecutors say one of two men accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old Southland girl — keeping her captive in a metal box and forcing her to work on a large Northern California marijuana growing operation — has confessed.
Court documents filed in the case against 30-year-old Ryan Balletto and 24-year-old Patrick Pearmain say prosecutors obtained a recorded confession from Balletto.
Both men are scheduled to enter pleas Friday in federal court in San Francisco. They have been charged with marijuana possession and using a minor in drug operations.
Authorities allege Balletto and Pearmain used the girl to cut marijuana buds at a Lake County property and had sex with her.
The girl, who is from the Los Angeles area, told investigators she was kept in a 4- by 2-foot box.
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