Meghan Markle’s Estranged Father Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material Charge/ NEWSLOOKS/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Thomas Markle Sr., Meghan’s estranged father, was arrested Friday in Florida on a federal charge of possessing child sexual abuse material, authorities said. Investigators reported seizing suspected material from two California storage units following information connected to an alleged discovery in the Philippines. Markle was expected to appear in federal court Friday afternoon; the allegations have not been proven in court.
Quick Look
- Florida arrest: Authorities arrested the 82-year-old outside Tampa Friday morning.
- Federal charge: Markle is accused of possessing child sexual abuse images.
- California searches: Agents seized approximately 78 items from two Los Angeles-area storage units.
- Investigation origins: Reports of material allegedly discovered at his former Philippine home led investigators to the units.
- Court appearance: An initial hearing was expected Friday afternoon in Tampa.
- Legal representation: It was not immediately clear whether Markle had an attorney.
- Meghan’s response: She previously described herself as “deeply distressed” by the allegations.
- Case status: The charge is an accusation, not a finding of guilt.
Deep Look
Thomas Markle Sr. Arrested in Florida
TAMPA, Fla. — Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, was arrested Friday morning on a federal charge of possessing child sexual abuse material, authorities said.
The 82-year-old was taken into custody outside Tampa, according to people familiar with the investigation who spoke to The Associated Press anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly.
His arrest followed searches of two storage units in the Los Angeles area that investigators said he had rented since 2008.
Markle was expected to make an initial court appearance Friday afternoon in Tampa. It was not immediately known whether he had an attorney available to respond to the allegations.
Federal Agents Search California Storage Units
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said agents “seized approximately 78 items, including slides, film negatives, and books” containing suspected child sexual abuse images.
“These allegations are extremely serious, and we will prosecute Mr. Markle to the fullest extent of federal law,” Essayli said.
An FBI affidavit filed in court said some images appeared to depict Markle with children. The allegations remain unproven.
The Daily Mail first reported the arrest.
Alleged Discovery in Philippines Led to US Searches
The investigation followed reporting by The Sun that Meghan’s half brother, Thomas Markle Jr., had found suspected child sexual abuse material while clearing out their father’s former home in Cebu City, Philippines.
Information from that alleged discovery led investigators to the California storage units.
Markle Jr. told The Sun that he found “hundreds, if not thousands” of images in boxes and reported them to Philippine police and the FBI.
“I have supported, cared for him and helped him for years — but that stops now,” he told the newspaper.
“I won’t speak to my father ever again unless I’m called to give evidence against him.”
Meghan Previously Addressed Allegations
Meghan recently said she was “deeply distressed” by reports concerning material allegedly found at her father’s former home.
She also disclosed that a letter containing “troubling allegations” about him had been sent to London police in 2018.
“It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated,” she said.
“I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications’ distortion over the years, any distance from my father and my choice to not allow him to have contact with our children was for one reason: to protect them.”
Her representative did not immediately comment Friday.
Arrest Follows Years of Family Estrangement
Meghan, an American actress known for her role in “Suits,” married Prince Harry at Windsor Castle in 2018. They have two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Her father, a retired television lighting and photography director, did not attend the wedding. Their estrangement subsequently received extensive British media coverage.
Markle had been living in the Philippines earlier this year when he suffered a stroke and underwent an amputation of his left leg, prompting his return to the United States.
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