LA Girl Kidnapped, Sexually Assaulted, Stuffed in Metal Box, Forced to Cure Marijuana

LA Girl Kidnapped, Sexually Assaulted, Stuffed in Metal Box, Forced to Cure Marijuana

A Los Angeles teenager was kidnapped, then stuffed in a metal box, forced to process marijuana, and sexually assaulted by her two kidnappers, according to prosecutors. Authorities said that Ryan Balletto, 30, and Patrick Pearmain, 24, have been charged with conspiracy to distribute pot, using a minor in drug operation and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. After a tip from an LAPD detective to the Lake County sheriff’s office, sheriff’s visited Balletto’s 680-acre property, but found nothing. The next day the girl called the sheriff’s office, and told authorities she was with Balletto. Police tracked the girl to West Sacramento, and found her with Pearmain. According to the Los Angeles Times, “Police also allegedly found a bag full of marijuana, prescription drugs, condoms and a pregnancy test. Pearmain also had a notebook on him that had an apparent script for the girl to read to police over the phone, authorities claim. Sketches of a marijuana greenhouse and a list of supplies were also found. The girl told authorities she was having consensual sex with both men, which officials noted is not legally possible given her age. She said the men told her they were on a ‘mission’ with the marijuana and that they were holding her because she was so good at ‘trimming’ or processing it for drying.”

Authorities raided Balletto’s farm, and found a metal box with airholes carved into it. The first initial of the girl’s name was spraypainted on the box, as well as a decal of “an animal skull surrounding the shadow image of a human skull with the logo ‘Bone Collector,'” court filings state. The girl also wrote a poem describing living in the box. She said she was given water through a hose and kept in the box for three days; the men would tip the box to allow the water to wash away dirt and human waste.

Balletto’s girlfriend was at the home as well, with their five children. 

COMMENTS

Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.