Handcuffed Jackson returns to California to face abuse charges

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- A handcuffed Michael Jackson walked into the Santa Barbara jail on Thursday to face child molestation charges that could destroy the pop superstar's career and send him to prison for years.

A private jet carrying Jackson landed at the Santa Barbara airport shortly before noon and rolled its nose into the partly opened doors of a hangar. A caravan of cars left the hangar shortly afterward.

The 45-year-old King of Pop, his hands cuffed behind his back, entered the Santa Barbara County main jail shortly after noon, accompanied by defense attorney Mark Geragos, who said earlier he arranged the surrender.

Geragos later emerged and told reporters that Jackson had posted bail and had been "processed out." Bail had been set at $3 million in the arrest warrant.

"He's come back specifically to confront these charges head on," Geragos said. "He is greatly outraged by the bringing of these charges. He considers this to be a big lie. He understands the people who are outraged, because if these charges were true, I assure you Michael would be the first to be outraged.

"I'm here to tell you today, Michael has given me the authority to say on his behalf these charges are categorically untrue."

Jackson is charged by the state with lewd or lascivious acts with a child under age 14, punishable by three to eight years in prison, law enforcement officials said.