Thomas Markle Released on Bond After Federal Child-Pornography Arrest

Markle was taken into federal custody on November 6 and appeared in court later that day. He did not enter a plea and was released on bond, with conditions including house arrest and electronic monitoring. He has denied wrongdoing, calling the allegations “sick lies.” His daughter, Meghan, said she was “deeply distressed” by the accusations.

A federal complaint says investigators seized slides, film negatives and books containing suspected child sexual abuse material from two Los Angeles-area storage units linked to Markle. The FBI also seized 76 other images on October 30. The complaint describes one image involving a pre-pubescent girl and says Markle appears in two images touching her.

If convicted of possessing images depicting people aged 12 to 17, Markle could face up to 10 years in prison. Images depicting children younger than 12 could carry a potential sentence of up to 20 years. Additional charges relating to alleged material in Mexico or the Philippines could bring further penalties.

Authorities in Mexico and the Philippines are investigating alleged material found in a storage unit and at a former home, respectively. Markle has denied having a storage unit in Rosarito, Mexico, and has denied wrongdoing over the alleged discovery in the Philippines.

Markle and his eldest daughter, Samantha, have said he is experiencing dementia. That could raise questions about whether he is competent to stand trial, but a diagnosis alone does not determine competency. Experts say courts assess whether a defendant understands the case and can assist in the defense.