Meghan Markle’s Father Thomas Markle Sr. Arrested in Florida on Federal Child Sexual Abuse Material Charge
By Alexus Mosley
Photo Credit: Tim Stewart / Tim Stewart News
Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan Markle, has been arrested in Florida and charged with possession of child sexual abuse material. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the 82-year-old was taken into custody by FBI agents on Friday, November 6, in Lakeland, Florida. He faces one federal count of possession of child pornography.
The arrest follows an investigation into allegations that Markle kept child sexual abuse material in two storage units in the Los Angeles area, which he had rented since 2008. Federal investigators searched the units and seized approximately 78 items, including photographic slides, film negatives, and books containing suspected child sexual abuse material. Prosecutors allege that some photographs depict Markle with underage girls.
The investigation began after authorities received information about suspected material discovered among Markle's belongings in the Philippines. Markle has denied the allegations, calling them “sick lies.”
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, previously expressed distress over the allegations concerning her father. The two have been publicly estranged for several years. Markle was expected to make his initial federal court appearance in Tampa on Friday. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
The allegations have not been proven in court, and Markle is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.