16 Computers Seized at Neverland

Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies seized at least 16 computers, a digital camera and a score of videotapes and DVDs from Michael Jackson’s Neverland ranch during a raid last fall on the Los Olivos compound, according to court documents unsealed Monday.

Authorities released a partial list of items seized during the Nov. 18 raid of the pop music star’s main residence, arcade building and security headquarters after lawyers representing various news agencies pressed for release of the documents. The search warrant and accompanying documents do not paint a full picture of the search, however, as large portions of text were redacted.

The partial list of seized items was released just two weeks after Jackson pleaded not guilty to charges of child molestation. It also comes after Santa Barbara County authorities raided another property in connection with the investigation last weekend -- the Calabasas home of a Jackson business associate and producer of gay pornography.

Documents detailing the search of Jackson’s home state that investigators seized numerous personal papers and legal documents, many of them from a master bedroom, master bathroom, den and study. The items included a letter taken from a master bedroom nightstand, an envelope taken from a briefcase, and a Christmas invitation and a calendar. The records also state that a locksmith was called in to open the master bathroom and that keys were later found in a safe. A day calendar also was taken from the kitchen counter.

The search documents were released Monday after media lawyers asked Superior Court Judge Rodney S. Melville to unseal them. The judge ruled last month that most of the records would remain sealed, but that some would be released after they were edited.

Judge Thomas R. Adams signed the search warrant at 5:30 p.m. the night before the search. The documents also show that investigators called Adams on the day of the search, requesting his permission to search a storage locker they found.

Documents have yet to be released in connection with the second search Saturday in Calabasas. Law enforcement sources confirmed that Santa Barbara County authorities investigating the Jackson case had searched the home of F. Mark Schaffel, a Jackson business associate. Investigators reportedly seized computers and other items in that search.

Jackson, 45, was arrested Nov. 20 on seven felony counts of lewd and lascivious behavior with a minor and two felony counts of using an intoxicant to seduce a minor. He faces a potential prison sentence of more than 20 years if convicted on all counts. The alleged victim, then a 12-year-old cancer patient, appeared on a television broadcast last Feb. 6 holding Jackson’s hand.

The alleged molestation occurred between Feb. 7 and March 10, after Jackson said on that program that he allowed young boys to sleep in his room but that the sleepovers were innocent fun and not sexual.