Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan Markle, was arrested by FBI agents in Florida on Friday, November 6, after federal prosecutors charged the 82-year-old with possession of child pornography following the discovery of suspected child sexual abuse material inside two California storage units.
The arrest took place in Lakeland, Florida, where Markle had been living in a senior care facility. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, he faces one federal count of possession of child pornography in the Central District of California. He was expected to make his initial court appearance in Tampa on Friday. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
Federal court documents filed November 5 reveal that the investigation expanded after authorities received information in October about suspected child sexual abuse material reportedly discovered among Markle’s belongings in the Philippines. Investigators subsequently learned that he had rented storage units in the Los Angeles area, leading federal agents to obtain search warrants.
According to the Justice Department, FBI agents searched two storage units registered to Thomas Markle that he had rented since 2008. Records showed that payments were still being made as recently as October 2026 through automatic billing.
Inside the units, investigators seized approximately 78 items, including film negatives, photographic slides, and books containing suspected child sexual abuse material. The criminal complaint provides additional details, identifying approximately 27 items recovered from one unit and another 51 from the second location.
The federal affidavit alleges that some photographs show an adult man with prepubescent girls. Investigators presented redacted versions of two images to a witness who had known Markle since the 1970s. That witness identified the adult man as Markle. Agents also reported finding additional photographs that they believe depict him with children in various states of undress.
Investigators examined the photographic evidence beyond its contents. According to the affidavit, agents converted certain film negatives into digital photographs for review. They also studied markings on Kodak film to determine its manufacturing origin. Those markings indicated that the film was manufactured outside California, supporting the government’s allegation that the material had traveled through interstate commerce.
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The Thomas Markle investigation now involves evidence recovered in the United States and a separate inquiry in the Philippines, where authorities have been examining thousands of disturbing images reportedly discovered after Markle left the country.
On November 5, Philippine Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed that investigators had recovered approximately 7,500 photographs and one video depicting alleged sexual abuse involving underage boys and girls. Some children appeared to be as young as 10 or 11 years old.
Remulla characterized the material as “deplorable” while describing the disturbing findings. However, Philippine officials have also acknowledged that investigators are still working to determine who owned the electronic devices containing the files. The discovery does not establish that every image belonged to Markle or that he personally created the material.
The investigation initially gained public attention in October after Markle’s son, Thomas Markle Jr., reported discovering a collection of suspicious photographs among his father’s belongings at a former residence in Cebu, Philippines. The younger Markle reportedly contacted Philippine authorities and the FBI after making the discovery.
In a separate development on November 5, Philippine authorities identified Thomas Markle Jr. as a person of interest in their investigation. Remulla said investigators were examining witness information concerning possible activities involving underage girls. Officials emphasized that the younger Markle was not being treated as a suspect, and no criminal charge against him had been announced.
Before his arrest, Thomas Markle Sr. strongly denied the allegations against him, calling them “sick lies.” He disputed accusations that he possessed illegal images of children and rejected claims that he had engaged in sexual activity with minors.
The allegations have also renewed attention on Meghan Markle’s long-standing estrangement from her father, who did not attend her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry.
On October 23, Meghan publicly addressed the allegations through a statement, saying she was “deeply distressed” by what had emerged. She also expressed concern for children who may have been harmed.
Meghan revealed that a letter containing troubling allegations about her father had been sent to London’s Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection in 2018. She said the information was eventually shared with her and that she received assurances the allegations were being investigated.
British police subsequently confirmed receiving a letter in January 2019 outlining claims of alleged offenses outside the United Kingdom. The Metropolitan Police acknowledged that the information was forwarded to the Sussexes’ office but had not been shared with other law enforcement agencies at that time. The department said it was reviewing how the matter had been handled.
Meghan also explained that her decision to maintain distance from her father and prevent contact with her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, was intended “to protect them.”
Markle, a former television lighting and photography director, has experienced significant health challenges in recent years, including a stroke and a leg amputation. His move back to the United States followed a period living in the Philippines.
The federal charge marks a new stage in the investigation, with American prosecutors pursuing a criminal case based on evidence recovered in California while Philippine authorities continue examining the material discovered overseas.
The Justice Department has not announced additional federal charges connected to the Philippine investigation. The California criminal complaint concerns alleged possession of child pornography, and it does not establish that Markle produced or distributed the images.
Thomas Markle remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
