Rock 'n' roll legend Chuck Berry surrendered to authorities this week on charges of marijuana possession and child abuse - allegedly filming people under the age of 17 in the nude, authorities said.
The guitarist and songwriter, who recorded such musical classics as "Johnny B. Goode" and "Maybelline", was charged July 19 with one count of possessing more than 35 grams of marijuana and three counts of child abuse for taking films of minors for the purpose of sexual gratification.The office of Berry's attorney, Wayne Schoeneberg, said the singer surrendered at the St. Charles County Jail on Monday before being freed on a $20,000 property bond.
Neither Berry nor Schoeneberg could be reached for comment.
The charges stemmed from a raid June 23 at Berry Park, the singer's compound near Wentzville about 35 miles west of St. Louis.
St. Charles Prosecuting Attorney William Hannah said at the time that authorities confiscated hashish, marijuana, weapons and more than $122,000 in cash during the raid.
Berry also faces civil lawsuits filed by at least one former employee of his Southern Aire restaurant in Wentzville, and by more than 200 women in a class-action suit.