The Roman Polanski saga is about to enter another chapter in the near future. CNN is reporting that the United States government has formally requested the extradition of director Roman Polanski to the United States, to face 31-year charges of having unlawful sex with a minor.

The U.S. Embassy in Berne submitted the formal request to Switzerland's Federal Office of Justice last night. The request will be forwarded to the Canton of Zurich where an extradition hearing would be held. If a decision to extradite Polanski is made, the director can appeal the decision.

Polanski was arrested in 1977 for having unlawful sex with a 13 year old girl during a photo shoot at the Hollywood Hills home of actor Jack Nicholson. While Polanski did plead guilty to the charge, the director fled the country before sentencing when he learned that the judge might not give him the minimal prison sentence that was expected with his plea deal.