Police instituted the charges after a 12-year-old girl reported to them that on April 6, last week Thursday, Stein had sex with her at his home on Racoon Street, Belize City, across the street from the Racoon Street Police Station.
The charges were read to Stein in front of Magistrate Harrison Hulett. However, no plea was taken from him, although three of the incidents are summary charges, noted the magistrate.
Attorneys Dickie Bradley and Lutchman Sooknandan represented Stein in court. They argued on his behalf for almost an hour, after the prosecutor objected to bail.
The prosecutor emphasized to the court that Stein is a flight risk, since he might abscond while their investigation is ongoing. He also said that Stein might interfere with the girl, who is the virtual complainant.
Bradley told the court, however, that if Stein surrenders all his travel documents, he would not be a flight risk. He also argued that the above-mentioned charges were all bailable offenses.
Magistrate Hulett consequently allowed the accused bail of $10,000, plus one surety of the same amount. He also ordered that Stein surrender all his travel documents, and that he must report to the Clerk of Court every Monday and Tuesday.
Stein?s case was adjourned for May 12.
It was also revealed in court that police had visited Stein?s house on April 6, but Stein denied them entry, and so they charged him for obstructing a police officer.
According to police, in a room in a back building in Stein?s yard they found several compact disks that appeared to have been recently broken. Police said they also found a computer, a digital camera, and a flash drive. Nude pictures of Stein and the 12-year-old girl were on the flash drive, police claim.
A private doctor conducted a medical examination on the 12-year-old on Friday, April 7, and certified that she had been carnally known.
Police say that there is evidence to suggest that a second child was similarly exploited.
We understand that Stein was born in Germany, but grew up in Belize.
He is married to a Belizean and is the owner of many properties here, including his residence on Racoon Street.