SAVANNAH, Georgia (AP) — U.S. federal authorities say they have uncovered an illegal sex trafficking network that forced women into prostitution and traded them between cities in Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas.

U.S. Attorney Edward Tarver of Georgia's Southern District announced Thursday that 12 people have been indicted on sex-trafficking charges in connection with the case.

Authorities say 11 young women from Mexico and Nicaragua were rescued from lives of forced prostitution. They say the women, most in their 20s, were brought to the United States illegally on false promises of prosperity.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director John Morton says the indicted suspects acted as pimps who traded the women between states. He says the women were forced to have sex with up to 30 men every day.

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