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Thomas Markle, father of Meghan, cut off his ankle monitor, DOJ says

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In short

Thomas Markle was taken back into custody after removing his electronic tracking device at 1:45 a.m. on Tuesday. His initial release had been conditioned on electronic monitoring and a court-ordered mental competency evaluation following his Friday arrest. That prior detention involved the federal seizure of roughly 78 items containing suspected child sexual abuse material from California storage units. The broader inquiry originated after his son reportedly found illicit images while clearing Markle's former residence in the Philippines.

Key points

  • Thomas Markle faces renewed federal custody in Tampa after violating the electronic monit…: Thomas Markle faces renewed federal custody in Tampa after violating the electronic monitoring conditions of his release.
  • The criminal investigation stems from discoveries made in California storage units and an…: The criminal investigation stems from discoveries made in California storage units and an overseas home in the Philippines.
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, cited historical allegations and child safety concerns as the…: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, cited historical allegations and child safety concerns as the reasons for her long-standing estrangement from her father.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

TAMPA: The 82-year-old estranged father of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, cut an electronic monitoring device off his ankle, just days after his arrest for keeping child sexual abuse material in storage units in California, authorities said Tuesday (Nov 10).

Thomas Markle was in custody awaiting a hearing in federal court in Tampa, Florida, First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said.

He was arrested shortly after he cut off the ankle bracelet at 1:45am (2:45pm, Singapore time), Essayli said.

Markle’s arrest on Friday followed the seizure of approximately 78 items, including slides, film negatives, and books that contained suspected child sexual abuse images in storage in the Los Angeles area, Essayli said.

During his arrest last week, he was taken from a senior care centre in Lakeland by ambulance. Hours later, a judge allowed Markle to be released on the condition that he be electronically monitored, which typically means wearing an ankle tether.

The judge also ordered a mental competency exam and a report by Nov 20.

His daughter, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex married Prince Harry at Windsor Castle…

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