DOJ says Thomas Markle Sr. cut off ankle monitor following arrest

The Justice Department is asking a judge to revoke the conditions of Thomas Markle Sr.'s release after he cut off his ankle monitor while on home confinement following his arrest, according to the U.S. attorney prosecuting Markle's case in Los Angeles.

"Four days ago, a federal judge allowed Mr. Markle to remain out of custody pending trial," Bill Essayli, the first assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, said in a court document Tuesday. "He was ordered to wear a location monitoring device. He allegedly cut the bracelet off at 1:45 a.m. last night. Release conditions are court orders, not suggestions. We are asking the court to revoke his release and detain him pending trial, and we will continue to prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law."

Markle, the estranged father of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, was arrested on Nov. 6 in Florida on one count of possession of child pornography.