Bill Cosby The Million Dollar Mug Shot

[CORREA]

8:17 AM PT -- Attorneys for Andrea Constand released a statement thanking the Montgomery District Attorney's office, County Detectives and the Cheltenham Police Department for their "consideration and courtesy." They added, "In that this matter is now being pursued in the criminal justice system, we will not comment further."

gray-bar-update

Bill Cosby has just been charged with felony sexual assault ... technically called aggravated indecent assault.

The charges stem from Andrea Constand, a former Temple University employee, who claims in 2004 Cosby drugged and assaulted her while she was working as the operations manager for the women's basketball team.

Montgomery County authorities investigated her claims, but eventually rejected the case ... citing a lack of evidence.

Constand sued Cosby in 2005 and settled the case a year later.

District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman reopened the investigation this summer after more than 50 women came forward with similar accusations. The D.A. said the charges were based on new evidence.

The D.A. says Cosby gave Constand pills and wine that rendered her unable to consent to sexual contact with Cosby ... something the D.A. says she rejected twice in the past.

Under Pennsylvania's 12-year statute of limitations for felony sex crimes, Ferman's office had until January to file a case based on Constand's claims.

If convicted, Cosby faces up to 10 years in prison.

11:53 AM PT -- The arraignment is over and Cosby's bail was set at $1,000,000 and he was forced to surrender his passport.

He did not enter a plea.

Cosby will now head over to the Cheltenham Police Department to be booked.update_grey_gray_bar

Bill Cosby showed up to a Montgomery County courthouse to be arraigned on charges of aggravated indecent assault ... but stumbled on his way inside.

Cosby had to be helped out of his car and looked weak as he made his way inside. As he made the walk from the car to the court, he appeared to trip over something ... but did not fall down.

Cosby could enter his plea relating to the 2004 incident where he allegedly drugged and assaulted a Temple University employee.

http://www.tmz.com/videos/0_dtd0cof2


Bill Cosby had his mug shot taken Wednesday afternoon at the Cheltenham Police Department ... following his arraignment for aggravated indecent assault.

Cosby did not enter a plea during his court appearance.

His bail was set at $1,000,000 and he was forced to turn over his passport.

A preliminary hearing was set for January 14.