Immigrants found in a human smuggling ring broken up in Los Angeles have told authorities that they were sexually assaulted by the smugglers. 

From the LA Times: 

An immigrant discovered in a South Los Angeles drop house Wednesday told authorities she was impregnated by one of the smugglers, and witnesses reported that several other women were sexually assaulted, immigration officials said today.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents also found two weapons in the house, a 22-caliber pistol and a stun gun, which the immigrants said were used to control and threaten them.

The 61 immigrants from Central America were living amongst piles of trash and rotting food in the drop house. 

Agents spent all day Wednesday interviewing the immigrants, who reported being held against their will and paying between $5,000 and $7,000 in smuggling fees to be led across the border in Arizona. One person reported paying $12,000.

“They had some pretty harrowing accounts,” she said.

Among the immigrants were three toddlers, who are being held with their mothers at a private shelter, and six teenagers.