Meghan Markle’s estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., was arrested again on Tuesday, November 10, after he cut off his ankle monitor amid his child pornography case.
“At a hearing today in Tampa, U.S. Magistrate Judge Lindsay Saxe Griffin of the Middle District of Florida ordered Thomas Wayne Markle detained (jailed without bond),” a spokesperson for the Department of Justice confirmed to Us in a Tuesday statement. “Markle cut off his ankle bracelet at 1:45 a.m. EST today. Federal law enforcement arrested him later today. Markle is in federal custody.”
Thomas, 82, was arrested for a second time while in custody as he awaited a hearing in federal court. The latest incident took place just four days after he was ordered to undergo a psych evaluation after his team claimed he could not mentally stand trial, according to legal documents filed on Friday, November 6, viewed by Us.
Dr. Amie Gerodimos was ordered to conduct the psych exam, which must be completed by November 20.
Another Friday filing described the terms of Thomas’ release, which included that he cannot own firearms, be present around minors, own any type of computer electronic device and must wear an ankle monitor.
In new filings on Tuesday, it was revealed that the prosecution and defense discussed Thomas’ violation after he cut off his ankle monitor. After the judge determined that Thomas was a flight risk, it was declared that his pretrial release was revoked and he will remain detained pending the resolution of his case.
After it was determined that Thomas had no suitable place to live, the judge ordered him to remain in the custody of the United States Marshal.
Thomas was first taken into federal custody in Florida on Friday, charged with one count of possession of child pornography. He was released that same day after posting bond.
Prosecutors claimed that Thomas kept child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in storage containers that he rented in the Los Angeles area for the past two decades.
Authorities seized approximately 78 items while investigating the case, including slides, film negatives and books that contained suspected child abuse material. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California claimed that investigators found two images of a man – believed to be his son Thomas Markle Jr. – with a nude prepubescent girl. Meanwhile, other photos “appear to show Markle with children in various stages of undress.”
Following her father’s arrest, Meghan, 45, said in a statement to Us, “I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed.”
She added that she first learned about the allegations against Thomas Sr. in 2018.
“In 2018, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. That letter was subsequently shared with me. It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated,” Meghan said.
“I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications’ distortion over the years, any distance from my father and my choice to not allow him to have contact with our children was for one reason: to protect them,” Meghan – who shares two children with husband Prince Harry – continued. “I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
