Statement from United States Attorney Prim F. Escalona on Appearance of Joran van der Sloot in Federal Court in Birmingham, Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Joran van der Sloot, 35, was arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gray Borden in Birmingham, Alabama, on one count of extortion and one count of wire fraud for soliciting money from Beth Holloway, Natalee Holloway’s mother, on promises he would reveal the location of her daughter’s remains in Aruba and the circumstances of her 2005 death. Van der Sloot was brought to the United States to stand trial on these charges pursuant to the Extradition Treaty Between the United States of America and the Republic of Peru and will be returned to Peru after this case concludes pursuant to the terms of that same treaty.

Assistant United States Attorneys Lloyd C. Peeples, III and Catherine L. Crosby are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, FBI, and Peruvian law enforcement authorities have been instrumental in securing the temporary surrender of van der Sloot.

An indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.