The mugshot of Meghan Markle’s estranged father has been released by police after he was remanded in custody for allegedly cutting off his electronic monitoring tag.
Thomas Markle Sr, 82, was arrested and charged with one count of possessing child sexual abuse material, after several dozen items were seized by the FBI following the search of two Californian storage units he had rented for almost two decades.
After his initial court appearance, the judge ordered him released to await trial on the condition that he submit to home detention and electronic monitoring, the US Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles said in a statement.
He was granted bail on Friday on the condition that he remain under house arrest, wear a location monitoring device and comply with travel restrictions imposed by a court in Tampa, Florida.
“Four days ago, a federal judge allowed Mr. Markle to remain out of custody pending trial,” Bill Essayli, first assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, said in a statement posted to X.
“He was ordered to wear a location monitoring device. He allegedly cut the bracelet off at 1:45 a.m. last night.”
Prosecutors asked the court to detain Markle pending trial, saying they would continue to pursue the case to the fullest extent of the law.
US Magistrate Judge Lindsay Saxe Griffin subsequently ordered him back into custody, ruling that his housing situation had become “untenable”, as reported by the BBC.
“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,” she said.
Mr Markle, an amputee, is a wheel-chair user with dementia who resides at a care facility in Florida, where he was arrested.
If convicted, Mr Markle could face up to 20 years in prison.
Since the allegations first came to light, the Duchess of Sussex told the press that she was “deeply distressed”.
“I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light ... my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed,” she said in the statement shared with the media.
“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.
“I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families.
“Although the breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine, my sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children.”
“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 reportedly wrote to her estranged father in December 2025 to tell him she was aware of child abuse allegations against him and would not allow him to meet his grandchildren.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028, the WA Sexual Assault Resource Centre on 6458 1828 or 1800 199 888 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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