Jackson could face eight years in jail

MICHAEL JACKSON could face a minimum of three years and a maximum of eight years in prison on each count if convicted of child molestation.

The pop star was being sought yesterday 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.

The celebrity 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,” Mr Anderson said.

Charges “will be filed” against Jackson, District Attorney Thomas W Sneddon Jr, said.

Mr Sneddon advised Jackson: “Get over here and get checked in.”

The new case is different from the 1993 investigation because California law has changed and an alleged victim can be forced to testify, Mr 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,” Mr Sneddon said.

He said there was only one victim in the case but confirmed he would not release any details 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.

A spokesman for Jackson, Stuart Backerman, said early yesterday he was consulting with attorneys and planned to issue a statement later in the morning. The Jackson family, were in Las Vegas early yesterday and were aware of the arrest warrant, said Steve Manning, a family spokesman.

“They feel very bad about it, but they support him wholeheartedly.”