Thomas Markle arrested in Florida on child pornography charge
Thomas Markle, father of Meghan Markle, was detained by U.S. federal agents in Florida and charged with possession of child sexual abuse material.
U.S. federal agents arrested Thomas Wayne Markle, 82, of Lakeland, Florida, on Friday on a federal criminal complaint alleging possession of child sexual abuse material. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California said Markle faces one count of possession of child pornography after investigators found approximately 78 items, including two photographs showing an adult man identified as Markle with a nude pre-pubescent girl, in two Los Angeles-area storage units he had rented for nearly two decades.
The investigation was reportedly triggered by a disclosure from Meghan Markle's brother, who discovered suspected material while clearing out their father's home in the Philippines, according to an affidavit cited by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Law-enforcement partners in Mexico, Manila and the Marshall Islands also assisted.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency continues to investigate the case and thanked the international partners for their support.
Meghan Markle, who said she was "deeply distressed" by the allegations, previously disclosed that a 2018 letter containing "troubling allegations" about her father had been sent to London police. She emphasized that her decision to limit contact with her father was intended to protect her children.
Markle is scheduled to appear before a Tampa court on Friday. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in federal prison.