Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has been arrested by FBI agents in Florida and charged with one count of possessing child pornography, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
The 82-year-old was taken into custody on Friday, November 6, at a senior living facility in Lakeland, Florida. Federal prosecutors allege that he kept child sexual abuse material in two storage units in the Los Angeles area that he had rented for nearly two decades.
According to the criminal complaint, FBI agents seized approximately 78 items, including slides, film negatives and books containing suspected child sexual abuse material. An affidavit describes photographs allegedly depicting Markle with prepubescent girls. Authorities said information about the suspected material first came to their attention after it was reportedly discovered among his belongings in the Philippines.
Markle appeared before a federal magistrate judge in Tampa following his arrest. He was released pending trial under conditions that include home detention and electronic monitoring, according to Reuters. The case is expected to proceed in federal court in California.
The arrest follows earlier reports of an investigation in the Philippines, where Markle had previously lived. His son, Thomas Markle Jr., reportedly alerted authorities after discovering suspected material among his father’s belongings. Markle had previously denied the allegations, describing them as false.
Meghan Markle previously said she was deeply distressed by the allegations. She has been estranged from her father for years, and her spokesperson did not immediately comment following his arrest.
If convicted, Thomas Markle could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. The criminal complaint contains allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
