Federal agents arrested Thomas Markle Sr., 82, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s estranged father, in Florida on Friday, Nov. 6, on one count of possessing child sexual abuse material. The Justice Department said alleged images of him with prepubescent girls were found in two Los Angeles-area storage units he rented for nearly two decades; authorities in the Philippines had investigated allegations after his son reported finding images.
WHO:
Federal agents
WHAT:
Federal agents arrested Thomas Markle Sr. outside Tampa, Florida, on one count of possessing child sexual abuse material. The Justice Department said alleged sexually explicit photographs of him with prepubescent girls were found in two Los Angeles-area storage units he rented for nearly two decades. Authorities in the Philippines learned in October of an affidavit from an individual who said they found child sex abuse material among Markle’s possessions there; information from that individual led to discovery of a second storage unit. His son, Thomas Markle Jr., had reported finding images among Markle’s belongings. Markle made his first court appearance in federal court in Tampa on Friday, where federal prosecutor Courtenay Derry laid out the charges. The hearing lasted 30 minutes. Markle entered in a wheelchair and has previously denied possessing such images, calling the allegations “sick lies.” FBI Director Kash Patel said agents moved quickly to identify and locate the material. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said prosecutors would pursue the case to the fullest extent of federal law. Sources told CBS News and The Associated Press that federal agents made the arrest.
WHEN:
Nov 6, 2026
WHERE:
Florida, USA
WHY:
Authorities arrested Markle in connection with allegations that he possessed child sexual abuse material.
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