Meghan Markle's father arrested by FBI over child sex abuse material: Report
Federal agents arrested Thomas Markle Sr. after an FBI investigation found alleged child sexual abuse material, and prosecutors say he faces at least 20 years if convicted.
- On Friday, November 6, 2026, the FBI arrested Thomas Markle Sr., the 82-year-old father of Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, at a senior living facility in Lakeland, Florida, on a federal charge of possessing child sexual abuse material.
- Federal agents launched the probe after Thomas Markle Jr. reported discovering about 7,500 photographs and one video depicting children at his father's former residence in Cebu City, Philippines last month.
- A storage unit in Rosarito, Mexico, was raided by investigators who seized computers, thumb drives, and VHS tapes after the Daily Mail alerted federal officials to the location.
- The Duchess of Sussex stated she was "deeply distressed" by the news and reiterated her decision to sever contact with her father was made to protect Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
- Markle denies the allegations as "sick lies," though the federal charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; Philippine officials have named Thomas Markle Jr. as a person of interest in their separate investigation.
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Meghan Markle’s Father Thomas Arrested in Florida on Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges
The FBI has arrested Meghan Markle’s father, Thomas Markle Sr., in Florida, People magazine confirms. According to the magazine, federal agents took him into custody at Maravida Senior Living care home on charges related to possession of child sexual abuse materials. He is currently being held in Tampa. A criminal complaint obtained by "Extra," lists his offense as "possession of child pornography." DailyMail.com was first to report the news and…
The wife of Britain's Prince Harry says she has been shaken by the allegations against her father.
Meghan Markle's Father Arrested on Child Porn Allegations
The estranged father of Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle was arrested in Florida Friday on suspicion of violating federal child pornography laws. Thomas Markle, 82, was arrested after law enforcement officers searched storage units in California, according to a news release from the Department of Justice. The federal criminal complaint alleges he “kept child sexual […]
Prosecutors say FBI seized 78 items from storage units linked to Thomas Markle Sr., who faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted
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