Meghan Markle’s estranged dad, Thomas Markle Sr., has landed back in jail on accusations that he cut off his ankle bracelet. That resulted in a new mugshot that quickly went viral.
Markle Sr. was taken to a Florida jail on November 10, after authorities alleged that he cut off the bracelet, according to CBS News.
“Four days ago, a federal judge allowed Mr. Markle to remain out of custody pending trial. He was ordered to wear a location monitoring device,” Bill Essayli, the first assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, wrote on X.
Markle is listed in the custody of the Pinellas County jail in Florida. He will stay there now while his case is pending on the order of U.S. Magistrate Judge Lindsay Griffin, The Associated Press reported. Originally, after his arrest, Markle Sr. was released to Maravida Senior Living care home in Lakeland, Florida, where he was living.
The Prosecutor Says That Tom Markle Cut Off the Bracelet in the Early Morning Hours
Essayli gave additional details on the allegation that led to Markle’s incarceration.
“He allegedly cut the bracelet off at 1:45 a.m. last night. Release conditions are court orders, not suggestions. We are asking the court to revoke his release and detain him pending trial, and we will continue to prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law,” he wrote.
The incident came four days after Markle was charged with serious crimes. It’s not clear why Markle allegedly cut off the device.
According to The Associated Press, one reason Markle is remaining in custody is because authorities say his current living situation had become “untenable,” and alternate arrangements were not found.
Thomas Markle Sr. Is Facing 20 Years in Prison
Thomas Wayne Markle, 82, of Lakeland, Florida, “was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint filed in our district that charges him with possession of child pornography, a felony that carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison,” the U.S. attorney wrote on November 6.
“An affidavit filed with the complaint details that @FBI was notified that Markle possessed child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and rented two storage units in the Los Angeles area,” it says. “After obtaining a judicially approved warrant, @FBILosAngeles special agents searched the units and seized approximately 78 items, including slides, film negatives, and books that contained suspected CSAM.”
The statement alleges: “Three of the images described in the affidavit featured Thomas Markle and minor victims. These allegations are serious and disturbing. We intend to prosecute Markle to the fullest extent of federal law.”
Thomas Markle has a number of serious health issues and will likely undergo a competency exam, according to The AP, which reported that he suffered a stroke in the past and had his leg amputated. He was in a wheelchair at the time of his arrest. Markle Sr. returned to the U.S. from the Philippines as a result of the leg amputation, The Associated Press noted.
Meghan Markle’s Dad Thomas Markle Cuts Off Ankle Bracelet & Gets New Mugshot