Follow-Up: Thomas Markle Charged Federally; Tampa Court Orders House Arrest and Psychiatric Exam
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Friday, November 6, that Thomas Markle, the estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has been charged with one federal count of possession of child pornography. Markle, 82, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation at a senior living facility in North Lakeland, Florida, and appeared the same day in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Tampa.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California said FBI agents searched two storage units in the Los Angeles area that Markle had rented since 2008 and seized about 78 items, including slides, 35 mm film negatives and books. The investigation began in October after an individual reported finding suspected material among Markle's possessions. "These allegations are extremely serious, and we will prosecute Mr. Markle to the fullest extent of federal law," said Bill Essayli, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California.
The Tampa court ordered Markle released subject to house arrest and electronic monitoring, and barred him from traveling outside the Middle District of Florida and the Central District of California; the court also ordered a psychiatric examination to determine whether he can understand the proceedings and assist his lawyer. Markle has not yet entered a plea and has previously denied the allegations. The case will proceed in California. If convicted, he faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in federal prison. A charge is an accusation, not a conviction, and Markle is presumed innocent unless proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：美国司法部大楼（GSM 固定图库）。The U.S. Department of Justice building. (GSM asset library)
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