A day after searching Michael Jackson [ tickets ]'s Neverland Ranch and two other undisclosed Southern California locations, authorities in Santa Barbara announced during a Wednesday (11/19) press conference that an arrest warrant has been issued for the pop star on multiple counts of child molestation.

Jackson, who reportedly was shooting a video in Las Vegas on Tuesday (11/18), has been ordered to turn himself in to the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department and to surrender his passport. Sheriff Jim Anderson and District Attorney Thomas W. Sneddon Jr. refused to say how much time Jackson was given to surrender. Anderson said bail would be set at $3 million.

In a press conference that had an oddly jovial tone, Sneddon and Anderson said the multiple molestation counts involved only one child. However, they repeatedly refused to release further details about the alleged crimes, and would not say how many counts Jackson faces.

Stuart Backerman, Jaskson's spokesperson, issued a statement proclaiming Jackson's innocence on Wednesday afternoon (11/19).

"The outrageous allegations against Michael Jackson are false," Backerman said. "Michael would never harm a child in any way. These scurrilous and totally unfounded allegations will be proven false in a courtroom. Naturally, the implications are distressing to everyone who hears them, which is precisely the point.

"We are disturbed by the levity of the environment surrounding the announcement of these very serious charges. When the evidence is presented and the allegations proven to be malicious and wholly unfounded, Michael will be able to put this nightmare behind him.

"Michael through his attorneys, led by Mark Geragos, has already made arrangements with the District Attorney to return to Santa Barbara to immediately confront and prove these charges unfounded."

During Wednesday's press conference, Sneddon said that the alleged victim is cooperating with the investigation. An affidavit with details of the case will be sealed for 45 days, he said.

Jackson was investigated for child molestation in 1993, but no charges were ever filed. The alleged victim in that case refused to testify, and Jackson--who maintained his innocence--reportedly paid millions to settle the case.

Epic Records released the new Jackson best-of set "Number Ones" on Tuesday. It compiles 15 of his top hits from over the last 30 years, and also includes one new song, the R. Kelly-penned "One More Chance."

In a statement issued on Tuesday (11/18), Jackson said, "I've seen lawyers who do not represent me and spokespeople who do not know me speaking for me. These characters always seem to surface with a dreadful allegation just as another project, an album, a video, is being released."

Sneddon said in Wednesday's press conference that he wasn't aware that Jackson's album was being released on the day that Neverland Ranch was raided.

Meanwhile, CBS-TV announced that it has canceled its planned Nov. 26 broadcast of a new Michael Jackson special titled "Michael Jackson Number Ones."

"Given the gravity of the charges against Mr. Jackson, we believe it would be inappropriate at this time to broadcast an entertainment special," the statement said. "However, we are very mindful that Mr. Jackson is innocent until proven guilty. We will consider broadcasting the special after the due process of the legal system runs its course."