Posted on 11/19/2003 2:00:50 PM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) - Michael Jackson was being sought Wednesday on an arrest warrant alleging multiple counts of child molestation and authorities were negotiating with the pop star's legal representatives to arrange a surrender. Jackson, who survived a child-molestation investigation without being charged 10 years ago, was believed to be in Las Vegas. A spokesman called the allegations false and said that Jackson, through attorney Mark Geragos, had made arrangements to return to Santa Barbara. The pop star was asked to surrender his passport and was being given an opportunity to surrender "within a specified period of time," Santa Barbara County Sheriff Jim Anderson said. Bail would be set at $3 million. "I believe he's willing to cooperate with us," Anderson said. Charges "will be filed" against Jackson, District Attorney Thomas W. Sneddon Jr. said. Sneddon advised Jackson: "Get over here and get checked in." Jackson spokesman Stuart Backerman released a statement denying the allegations and criticizing "the levity of the environment" surrounding the county officials' press conference. "The outrageous allegations against Michael Jackson are false," it said. "Michael would never harm a child in any way. These scurrilous and totally unfounded allegations will be proven false in a courtroom. Naturally, the implications are distressing to everyone who hears them, which is precisely the point." The new case is different from the 1993 investigation because California law has changed and an alleged victim can be forced to testify, Sneddon said. In the old case the alleged victim, who reportedly received a settlement from Jackson, refused to testify. "We have a cooperative victim in this proceeding," Sneddon said. Asked if all the counts involved one victim, Sneddon said he would not comment. He also he would not release any details, including the child's sex or any circumstances, including where the crimes allegedly occurred. The warrant was for violation of Section 288(a) of the California Penal Code - which prohibits lewd or lascivious acts with a child under age 14. The California Penal Code says anyone convicted of the crime can be punished by three to eight years in prison. The affidavit supporting the warrant will remain sealed for 45 days for completion of the investigation, the officials said. As many as 70 law enforcement officials served a warrant at Jackson's Neverland Ranch on Tuesday and searched for evidence for more than 12 hours. Two other locations in Southern California were also searched for items that would "corroborate the victim's statement," the sheriff said. The Jackson family, including Michael, were in Las Vegas early Wednesday and were aware of the arrest warrant, said Steve Manning, a family spokesman. "It's very unfortunate. They feel very bad about it, but they support him wholeheartedly. They stand behind him 100 percent," Manning said. Court TV, citing unidentified sources, reported that the allegations were brought by a 12- or 13-year-old boy. And the television program "Celebrity Justice" said a therapist reported disclosures by a boy who spent time at Neverland and began therapy several months ago. The district attorney and sheriff would not confirm those reports. Jackson, who Backerman said was in Las Vegas shooting a music video, noted the timing of the allegations in a statement released to The Associated Press on Tuesday. "These characters always seem to surface with dreadful allegations just as another project, an album, a video is being released," the Jackson statement said, referring to Tuesday's release of a greatest hits album, "Number Ones." The district attorney dismissed any connection to the CD's release. "Like the sheriff and I are really into that kind of music," Sneddon said. He said the warrant service was delayed because authorities were busy dealing with thousands of people who descend on Santa Barbara for Halloween. The 45-year-old singing superstar faced a child molestation investigation in 1993 in a case that never resulted in criminal charges. Jackson reportedly paid a multimillion dollar settlement in that case but maintained his innocence. Jackson's 2,600-acre, $12.3 million compound in the Santa Ynez Valley that deputies searched Tuesday has a mansion, its own zoo and amusement park, and has often been the site of children's parties. In a television documentary broadcast on ABC earlier this year, Jackson said he had slept in a bed with many children. "When you say bed you're thinking sexual," the singer said during the interview. "It's not sexual, we're going to sleep. I tuck them in. ... It's very charming, it's very sweet." Jackson caused an international uproar last year when he displayed his baby, Prince Michael II, to fans by dangling him briefly from a fourth-floor balcony in Germany. Jackson called the incident a "terrible mistake," and Berlin authorities said the actions were not punishable. The singer had international hits with the albums "Thriller" (1982), "Bad" (1987) and "Dangerous" (1991) saw his career begin to collapse after the 1993 allegations. His last studio album, "Invincible," sold about 2 million copies in the United States - great for most artists, especially veteran stars, but only so-so for the man who bills himself as the King of Pop.
IMHO it's time for Jackson to pay the piper and to get his sick behaviour locked up where other kids will not be exposed to it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.