Thomas Markle Removed Ankle Monitor Before Tampa Custody
The 82-year-old father of the Duchess of Sussex was taken into federal custody after cutting off his electronic tether in Florida.
By Thomas Obasi ·
Thomas Markle is currently in federal custody in Tampa, Florida, after removing an ankle monitor from his leg. First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli confirmed the details on Tuesday. Markle was arrested shortly after the device was cut at 1:45 a.m. local time.
The 82-year-old man was awaiting a hearing in federal court when he was taken into custody. He was originally released on bail following his initial arrest last Friday. A judge had permitted his release on the condition that he wear an electronic tether. The court also ordered a mental competency exam with a report due by November 20.
Markle’s detention stems from charges related to suspected child sexual abuse material. Authorities seized approximately 78 items from storage units in the Los Angeles area. These items included slides, film negatives, and books containing the suspected images. Markle had rented these storage units since 2008.
The initial arrest occurred at a senior care center in Lakeland, Florida. Paramedics transported Markle by ambulance. The incident followed reports that his half-brother found a collection of images while clearing out Markle’s former home in the Philippines. That discovery led investigators to the US storage units.
Markle had been living in the Philippines earlier this year. He suffered a stroke and subsequently had his left leg amputated. These medical events forced his return to the United States. His estranged daughter, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, recently addressed the public about the allegations.
Meghan stated she was deeply distressed by the discovery of the images. She revealed that a letter with troubling allegations about her father was sent to London police in 2019. Meghan noted that she was assured the matter was being investigated at the time. She explained that her decision to limit contact between her father and her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, was made to protect them.
The Duchess of Sussex married Prince Harry in 2018. She is an American citizen and former actress known for her role in the television drama Suits. The federal case in Tampa now moves forward with Markle in custody pending his next court date.
