Woman says magician lured her to island

SEATTLE, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Magician David Copperfield is under a federal investigation in Seattle into claims he lured a young woman to his private island and raped her.

Sources involved in the investigation told The Seattle Times that the woman -- a 21-year-old with aspirations as a model -- said she met Copperfield at a performance of his in the Seattle area. She said he invited her to visit him at Musha Cay in the Bahamas, an island accessible only by private plane and boat, and said he would help her career.

She said when she arrived at the island in July she found she was alone with Copperfield, who sexually and physically assaulted her. He allegedly told her she to keep quiet before putting her on a plane home.

The woman reported the incident first to Seattle police -- who said they did not have jurisdiction -- and then to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Because the trip began and ended in Seattle, the federal government has taken jurisdiction.

FBI agents reportedly raided Copperfield's warehouse and magic museum in Las Vegas.

Copperfield's attorney has said the illusionist has never forced himself on anyone, the newspaper said.