Jackson to surrender to police Thursday: TV

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Jackson to surrender to police Thursday: TV

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US pop superstar Michael Jackson was to turn himself in to authorities in Santa Barbara, central California, Thursday on multiple charges of child molestation, the US TV network CNN reported Wednesday.

Jackson's spokesman Stuart Backerman were quoted as saying thatarrangements have been made with the district attorney for Jackson"to return to Santa Barbara to immediately confront and prove these charges unfounded."

Backerman denied all the allegations of child molestation. "Michael would never harm a child in any way," he said. "When the evidence is presented and the allegations prove to be malicious and wholly unfounded, Michael will be able to put this nightmare behind him."

Speaking at a noon news conference in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Sheriffs Department head Jim Anderson confirmed that an arrest warrant had been issued for Jackson on "multiple counts of child molestation."

"At the point in time, Mr. Jackson has been given an opportunity to surrender himself to the custody of the Santa Barbara Sheriffs Department within a specified period of time," hesaid.

"We are currently working with Michael Jackson's legal representation on the matter," Anderson said, adding the bail for the warrant was set at 3 million US dollars. He said Jackson must surrender his passport when taken into custody.

Anderson said that about 70 officers and district attorney's officials conducted a day-long search Tuesday at Jackson's Neverland Ranch in north of Santa Barbara as "part of an ongoing criminal investigation into alleged criminal misconduct on the part of Michael Jackson."

He said two other search warrants were also executed in southern California, without giving details.

Charges "will be filed" against Jackson, Santa Barbara DistrictAttorney Thomas Sneddon said. He said the warrant was for violation of Section 288 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.

Jackson and his three children are believed to be in Las Vegas,Nevada, for the past three weeks shooting a video.

In a Tuesday statement, Jackson denounced the media coverage ofthe police search of his ranch, saying that there are always dreadful allegations surfacing any time when he is to release a new album or project. He was referring to the Tuesday release of his greatest hits album "Number Ones."

But Sneddon denied any relation between the timing of police search to the release of Jackson's new release.

Local press report said the current allegations against Jacksonwere brought by a 12-or 13-year-old boy in Los Angeles. A therapist reported disclosures by the boy who spent time at Neverland Ranch and began therapy several months ago.

Jackson's career began to collapse in 1993 amid allegations that he molested a 14-year-old boy. He maintained his innocence, and charges were never filed as he reportedly paid a multimillion-dollar settlement.

Earlier this year, the US TV network ABC broadcast a television documentary, in which Jackson revealed that he had slept in a bed with many children.

Although Jackson denied that was related to any sexual acts, his revelations about relations with children prompted calls for an investigation of his ranch by California child welfare authorities.

In June, Jackson settled a 12-million-dollar breach of contractlawsuit by his former broker, avoiding a trial that could spill details of his financial empire and personal life into open court.

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