Pot farmers accused of enslaving teen appear in court

CLEARLAKE, Calif. (KGO) -- Two suspected marijuana growers appeared in federal court in San Francisco to answer charges of keeping a teenage girl as their sex slave. They didn't enter a plea.

Authorities say 30-year-old Ryan Balletto and 24-year-old Patrick Pearmain kept the victim in a metal storage box. They are accused of keeping the girl in captivity for three weeks in Lake County this April. The victim was sexually abused and forced to work at their marijuana growing operation.

Agents uncovered 1,300 pot plants and a number of weapons. That included semi-automatic, assault rifles.

Get more North Bay News »

lake county, clearlake, marijuana, crime, sex crimes, guns, north bay news

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•