Thomas Markle, the father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has been returned to federal custody in Florida after allegedly removing his electronic ankle monitor early Tuesday morning, according to court documents.
The 82-year-old appeared before a federal magistrate judge in Tampa on Tuesday, where he was denied bond. US Judge Lindsay S Griffin determined that Markle had violated the explicit terms of his pretrial release after he allegedly removed the device that morning.
Meghan's father Thomas Markle had been placed under house arrest at an assisted living facility in Florida last week after a child sex abuse material charge. Under the terms of his initial release, he was required to submit to home confinement and wear a location monitoring device.
In the order revoking his pretrial release, Judge Griffin characterized Markle's living arrangements as untenable. The judge wrote that based on the lack of suitable housing, no condition or combination of conditions would reasonably assure the safety of any other person or the community and the defendant's appearance in court. Griffin also directed that a medical evaluation be conducted for Markle and specified that he must receive all necessary and prescribed medication unless discontinued by a physician.
Following Tuesday's court appearance, Bill Essayli, the US attorney for Central California, emphasized the strict enforceability of court orders on social media. Release conditions are court orders, not suggestions, Essayli posted on X, adding that prosecutors will continue to prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law.
Markle was initially arrested last week after FBI agents executed search warrants on Los Angeles storage units registered under his name. According to the Department of Justice, Markle had rented the units since 2008, with the most recent payment submitted in October of this year. During the search, federal agents seized approximately 78 items, including film negatives, slides, and books that authorities allege contain child sex abuse material.
Court documents state that witnesses positively identified Markle in two images believed to contain child sex abuse material. In those photos, the man depicted appears to be in his 30s or 40s, indicating that the alleged abuse occurred decades ago. He is charged with one count of possessing indecent images of children, according to the DoJ.
Federal law enforcement officials commented on the severity of the charges following his arrest. FBI Director Kash Patel stated last week that Markle allegedly targeted innocent children and sought to steal their innocence through his criminal actions. Markle, who has denied possessing images of child sex abuse, previously dismissed the allegations as sick lies.
Markle relocated to the Philippines last year following a series of strokes, residing in Cebu until May. Prior to his arrest, he was reportedly learning to walk again in Florida after undergoing a leg amputation.
The Duchess of Sussex has been estranged from her father since 2018. She broke off contact with him last year after informing him that she and law enforcement authorities were aware he had abused young girls. In a statement released previously, Meghan acknowledged the situation, writing that she was deeply distressed and that her thoughts were with any children who may have been harmed. She added that she hoped people could understand why she largely cut off contact with her father and did not allow him to have contact with her children.
Inside the units the FBI says agents seized about 78 items, including film negatives, slides and books that they allege contained child sex abuse material.
Meghan joins Harry in Brussels in first public appearance since father's arrest
