Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan Markle, was arrested by the FBI on Friday for possession of child pornography. The 82-year-old, who uses a wheelchair, was taken into custody at the Maravida Senior Living care home in Lakeland, Florida, according to reports.
FBI agents had searched two storage units rented by Markle in the Los Angeles area, seizing approximately 78 items. A federal criminal complaint obtained by Page Six alleges that the seized material includes items suspected of containing child sexual abuse imagery. A witness identified Markle in two images with an underage girl.
Markle's relocation to the Florida care home occurred shortly after authorities in the Philippines and Mexico began investigating him for alleged child porn offenses. His son, Thomas Markle Jr., previously claimed to have found "hundreds, if not thousands" of images, some allegedly depicting minors, in storage boxes at his father's home in the Philippines. Thomas Sr. has denied these allegations, calling them "sick lies."
First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli stated that the Department of Justice will "prosecute Mr. Markle to the fullest extent of the law," adding that Markle allegedly "targeted innocent children and sought to steal their innocence through his criminal actions."
Markle had moved back to the United States in May for medical care after living in the Philippines for over a year. His daughter, Samantha Markle, has defended him and accused their brother of orchestrating a "revenge" plot. Thomas Markle Jr. has since been named a person of interest in the probe.
Meghan Markle previously stated that the investigation left her "deeply disturbed" and that she was first made aware of the allegations in a 2018 letter. She also indicated that she had cut ties with her father to protect her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. A representative for Meghan and Prince Harry confirmed they would not be addressing the arrest.