Thomas Markle seen in mugshot for first time after ‘cutting off electronic tag’

Thomas Markle seen in mugshot for first time after ‘cutting off electronic tag’ Thomas Markle Snr was released on bail over child sexual abuse material charges but, days later, he is back in custody after allegedly cutting off his electronic monitoring tag The mugshot of Thomas Markle Snr has been released by police after he was remanded in custody after allegedly cutting off his electronic monitoring tag. Thomas Markle Sr, 82, was arrested by FBI agents on Friday following the seizure of suspected child sexual abuse material from two Los Angeles storage units he had rented for almost two decades. He was granted bail on Friday on condition that he remain under house arrest, wear a location monitoring device and comply with travel restrictions imposed by a court in Tampa, Florida. He faces one federal charge of possessing child pornography. The investigation began after his son, Thomas Markle Jr, allegedly discovered illegal images among his father's belongings in Cebu City in the Philippines and reported the matter to local police and the FBI last month. US prosecutors said he allegedly removed the electronic bracelet at 1.45am, prompting an urgent application to have his bail revoked. Writing on X, first assistant US attorney Bill Essayli said: “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. He allegedly cut the bracelet off at 1.45am last night. Release conditions are court orders, not suggestions.” 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. Acting under search warrants, FBI agents examined the two units, which had been rented by Markle since 2008, and seized around 78 items, including slides, film negatives and books containing suspected child sexual abuse material. The allegations have not been proven. Markle has denied possessing child sexual abuse material, although he has admitted paying for sex in the Philippines. If convicted, he faces a minimum of 20 years in federal prison. Meghan Markle has said she was “deeply distressed” by the allegations. She previously revealed that she received a letter through the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection in 2019 containing what she described as “troubling and disturbing allegations” about her father. She was reportedly assured the claims were being investigated. However, the Metropolitan Police has admitted it did not pass the details to other law enforcement agencies. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is now investigating the force's handling of the matter.