Jackson charged with child molestation

California prosecutors on Thursday charged pop star Michael Jackson with molesting a child under the age of 14 at his Neverland Ranch.

The charges, filed in Santa Maria, California, specify seven counts of lewd or lascivious acts and two counts of administering an intoxicant.

The charges involve incidents alleged to have occurred in February and March this year, Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon was quoted as saying.

He also said Jackson's arraignment would be on January 16.

Sneddon said that he agreed to return Jackson's passport so the singer could travel to Britain in late January to fulfil a commitment.

The alleged victim would take the stand at a trial, Sneddon said in a statement. "The family is committed to this process."

The charges came nearly a month after local authorities raided Neverland Ranch. The 45-year-old singer was booked on November 20 and freed on a $3 million bond.