Joran van der Sloot has declared himself innocent of extortion against a judge in the United States. The 35-year-old Dutchman was extradited from Peru yesterday and appeared in court in the US state of Alabama today. He is suspected of blackmailing the parents of missing teen Natalie Holloway.

Van der Sloot has been associated for years with the disappearance of 18-year-old Holloway in Aruba in 2005. Van der Sloot would be one of the last people she was seen with.

Holloway’s mother was also in court today. Van der Sloot had promised her years earlier the location of Holloway’s body in exchange for $25,000.

An Alabama judge requested an official response from Van der Sloot to the allegations. Legal steps such as hiring a lawyer were also taken.

Peru temporarily extradited Van der Sloot to the United States to stand trial. He was imprisoned in Peru for years for the murder of Peruvian Stephanie Flores and was sentenced to 28 years in prison for it.

If Van der Sloot is found guilty of fraud in the United States, he could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison. He must then First serving his remaining sentence in Peru.