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Markle Allegedly Cuts Off Ankle Monitor After Child Pornography Arrest
Confirmed
In Short: Markle was taken back into custody in Florida after allegedly cutting off the electronic ankle monitor he was required to wear as a condition of his release.
Thomas Markle, 82, was arrested last week after FBI agents found 78 items, including film negatives and slides, containing child sexual abuse material in his storage units in Los Angeles.
Markle was placed under house detention at a senior care facility in Florida and ordered to wear a location monitoring device.
However, he allegedly cut off the ankle monitor at around 1:45 a.m., prompting his immediate recapture.
Federal prosecutors allege that Markle removed his ankle monitor while under house arrest in Florida.
Markle has denied the allegations, calling them 'sick lies.'
The case remains under FBI investigation, and Markle's arraignment in Los Angeles federal court is expected in the coming weeks.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said Markle was arrested on Friday after officials found child sexual abuse images in storage units belonging to him in California.
If convicted, Markle could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
The Justice Department stated that Markle is accused of possessing child sexual abuse material, including photographs depicting himself with minor girls.
Markle was taken back into custody in Florida after allegedly cutting off the electronic ankle monitor he was required to wear as a condition of his release.
What this adds
Markle's actions have raised concerns about his compliance with bail conditions and the severity of the charges against him.
The case highlights the ongoing legal and personal challenges faced by the estranged father of Meghan Markle.
Background
Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan Markle, cut off his ankle monitor while on home confinement following his arrest, according to the Justice Department.
What's confirmed
- Markle, 82, was awaiting trial on charges of possessing child sexual abuse materials.
- However, he allegedly cut off the ankle monitor at around 1:45 a.m.
- Markle has denied the allegations, calling them "sick lies." Following his arrest, Markle was placed under house detention at a senior care facility in Florida and ordered to wear a location monitoring device.
- Federal prosecutors allege that Thomas Markle, the estranged father of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, removed his ankle monitor while under house arrest in Florida.
- Breaking news for Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties The estranged father of Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle cut an electronic monitoring device off his ankle days after his arrest for allegedly keeping child sexual abuse material in storage units in Los Angeles, but was captured hours later, authorities said Tuesday.
- Thomas Markle was arrested shortly after he cut off the ankle bracelet at 1:45am, First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said.
- Meghan Markle's father arrested in Florida amid investigation into alleged abuse material PDF preview Preview PDF Meghan Markle's father arrested in Florida amid investigation into alleged abuse material View PDF The National News Desk obtained the documents, which noted that the 82-year-old was taken into custody on Friday and charged with one count of possession of child pornography.
- “She’s trying to focus on her family, her kids and the work that matters to her,” a source close to the Duchess of Sussex tells PEOPLE Meghan Markle is finding purpose in her work as she navigates the deeply upsetting allegations against her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr. The Duchess of Sussex, 45, stepped out alongside Prince Harry, 42, in Brussels, Belgium, on Nov. 10, marking her first public appearance since her father’s Nov. 6 arrest in Florida on a federal charge related to child sexual abuse material.
- Thomas Wayne Markle, 82, of Lakeland, Fla., is charged with one count of possession of child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for Central District of California.
- Markle Sr has denied the allegations, telling the Daily Mail that they were untrue and "sick lies." Meghan Markle, who married Prince Harry, the younger son of King Charles, in 2018, previously said she was "deeply distressed" by the allegations against her father.
What's still developing
- Markle, who is facing charges for possessing child sex abuse material, was previously permitted to remain out of custody pending trial as long as he abided by certain conditions.
- The US Attorney said it's clear "even with medication" Markle remains agitated.
- Prosecutors have called in Thomas Markle’s bail after he allegedly removed his electric monitoring tag To use the search feature, we need your consent to load Google Custom Search, which may use cookies or similar technologies.
- A witness identified Markle as the man in two images described in the affidavit.