Thomas Markle back in custody after allegedly cutting off electronic tag days after arrest
Thomas Markle Sr. is back in custody after cutting off his electronic tag, just days after he was arrested for possessing child sex abuse material, police have said.
The Duchess of Sussex’s dad was released on bail last Friday (6 November) subject to him being under house arrest and wearing an electronic location monitoring device.
However, officials have said just days later he removed the electronic tag himself.
In a post on X, first assistant US attorney Bill Essayli said: “Four days ago, a federal judge allowed Mr Markle to remain out of custody pending trial.
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“He was ordered to wear a location monitoring device.
“He allegedly cut the bracelet off at 1.45am last night.
“Release conditions are court orders, not suggestions.
“We are asking the court to revoke his release and detain him pending trial, and we will continue to prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law.”
US Magistrate Judge Lindsay Saxe Griffin of the Middle District of Florida subsequently ordered Markle to be held in custody.
Markle was first arrested last week and has since been charged with one count of possessing indecent images of children, according to the Department of Justice.
He came under investigation after he was reported to police in the Philippines and the FBI last month by his son, Thomas Markle Jr, who allegedly found illegal images in his father’s belongings in Cebu City.
Markle Jr told The Sun newspaper he had tipped off the authorities about the LA storage facilities.
On Friday, the 82-year-old appeared at a hearing in Tampa, Florida, where he did not enter a plea.
As well as being issued strict bail conditions, he was also ordered to undergo a psychiatric exam, following concerns he may not be unable to understand the proceedings or properly assist his lawyer.
He was pictured in handcuffs in a wheelchair as FBI agents escorted him from a Florida retirement home and was transported by ambulance for the hearing.
If convicted, Markle would face at least 20 years in federal prison.
Markle, who was living in a dementia care home in the US, has admitted paying for sex in the Philippines but has denied ever possessing child abuse imagery.
Meghan, who moved back to the UK with Harry in August, said she was 'deeply distressed' at the allegations about her father, from whom she has been estranged since the run-up to her 2018 wedding.
She revealed she was sent a letter via the police which made 'troubling and disturbing allegations' about her father, but she was given assurances these were being investigated.
Meghan is said to have written him a final letter in which she said she knew he was an abuser and that he would never see his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, 10am-8pm Monday to Friday. If you are a child seeking advice and support, call Childline for free on 0800 1111, 24/7.
Topics: US News, Crime, Meghan Markle
Claire Reid
