Meghan Markle’s father arrested in child pornography case

Thomas Markle, the estranged father of Meghan Markle, wife of Britain’s Prince Harry, has been arrested in the United States on charges of possessing child sexual abuse material, according to the US Department of Justice.

The 82-year-old was taken into custody by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents early Friday at the retirement home where he lives in Lakeland, Florida.

According to the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Markle faces one count of possession of child pornography. He is expected to appear before a court in Tampa, Florida.

First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said investigators had accused Markle of possessing sexually explicit material involving underage girls, including photographs allegedly depicting himself with minors.

US authorities described the allegations as serious and said they intended to pursue the case under federal law. If convicted, Markle could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The Justice Department said investigators had recovered approximately 78 items from two storage units in the Los Angeles area. The material reportedly included slides, film negatives and books containing suspected child sexual abuse material.

Markle had allegedly rented the storage units for nearly two decades. Authorities are investigating the contents as part of the wider case.

Reports have also linked the investigation to storage facilities in Mexico and the Philippines, where Markle previously lived. Philippine authorities reportedly began examining allegations against him last month.

The controversy emerged after British media reports said Markle’s son, Thomas Markle Jr, discovered suspected abusive material while sorting through boxes at his father’s former residence in the Philippines.

British police had also said they would refer the allegations to overseas law enforcement agencies after concerns emerged that the information had not initially been shared with the relevant authorities.

Markle has denied the allegations, describing them as false and calling them “sick lies” in comments to the Daily Mail.

Meanwhile, Meghan Markle has previously said she was deeply distressed by the allegations. She also indicated that contact between her father and her children had been stopped because of earlier troubling and disturbing claims.

Meghan, who married Prince Harry in 2018, has remained estranged from her father for several years.

A spokesperson for the Duchess of Sussex had not immediately responded to requests for comment following her father’s arrest.