Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has been arrested in Florida on charges of possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The 82-year-old was taken into custody by the FBI at his senior living facility in Lakeland, Florida. This arrest follows an investigation into indecent materials allegedly found at locations associated with Markle in Mexico and the Philippines.
Federal agents acted shortly after the Daily Mail reported to the FBI the discovery of CSAM within a storage unit rented by Markle near his former residence in Rosarito, Mexico. Mexican police subsequently raided the storage unit, reportedly finding extensive materials including images and videos of children. A search warrant obtained by the Daily Mail indicated investigators were looking for evidence of CSAM and potential human trafficking.
Separately, authorities in the Philippines are also investigating similar allegations. Markle's son, Thomas Markle Jr., claims to have discovered a large quantity of child sex images at their former shared home in Cebu, Philippines, and reportedly informed the FBI about storage units in Los Angeles.
Markle, who has been wheelchair-bound since a leg amputation in the Philippines last year, moved to Florida earlier this year and was residing in a dementia care facility. He has denied the allegations, stating he had no storage units in Rosarito and asserting that any claims linking him to child pornography are "sick lies" manufactured by his son. He has acknowledged paying for sex in the Philippines but maintains it was never with anyone under 18.
The Duchess of Sussex has reportedly been informed of the allegations and stated she is "deeply distressed" by the news, expressing concern for any children who may have been harmed. She has not publicly commented on the developments in Mexico.