Thomas Markle back in custody after allegedly cutting off ankle monitor

The estranged father of Meghan Markle, who's married, of course, to Prince Harry, is back behind bars tonight for the second time in a week. He's accused of cutting off his ankle monitor. He was first arrested Friday for child porn charges that spanned several countries. Blake Devine is live outside the federal courthouse in Tampa. Blake, where is Thomas Markle now? Yes, guys, Thomas Markle Sr. is in the Pinellas County Jail tonight after he was rearrested earlier this morning for allegedly cutting his court-ordered ankle monitor. When you cut off your ankle monitor, it's showing disdain for the court. It's showing that you're a potential flight risk. You're a potential danger to the community. And you can't abide by the rules that the court has put in place for you. Thomas Markle Sr. is back behind bars after a federal judge ruled that the 82-year-old violated the conditions of his release by cutting and disabling his electronic monitoring device. Markle was first arrested Friday in Lakeland at his senior living facility after FBI agents discovered suspected child sexual abuse material in two Los Angeles storage units he rented, including explicit photos allegedly showing Markle with underage girls. On Tuesday afternoon, our cameras captured this white van with tinted windows leaving the federal courthouse in downtown Tampa, heading to the Pinellas County Jail, where his defense team is expected to raise concerns about his medical care. in custody. You're talking about a person who is wheelchair bound, a person who has obviously one leg, a person who has competency issues. He is not going to receive the treatment that he potentially needs while incarcerated in the Pinellas County Jail. And that's what the defense is going to argue. Meanwhile, Markle's daughter, Megan, the Duchess of Sussex, was seen in Brussels on Tuesday for the first time since his arrest. Last month, Meghan mentioned she was deeply distressed by the allegations against her estranged father, also adding that she's cooperating with authorities. He's being charged with possessing those items in LA. He could still face potential charges from the Philippines or other jurisdictions if they decide to pursue charges. Now if convicted Markle Sr. may face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Back to you. Blake, what did you find out about Markle's mental health? Yes, so that federal judge earlier today ordered a mental competency exam by November 20th. The prosecutors, they want to get this court case going as quickly as possible. They listened to an FBI interview with Markle Sr., which was about 45 minutes long. They believe he is competent to stand trial. However, until that exam is done, they cannot extradite him back to Southern California, where this case originated from.