FBI arrests Thomas Markle in Florida on child sexual abuse material charges

Federal agents arrested Thomas Markle Sr. on Friday morning near Tampa, Florida, and charged him with possession of child sexual abuse material.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said agents seized approximately 78 items including slides, film negatives and books containing suspected images from two storage units in the Los Angeles area that Markle has rented since 2008.

The arrest follows investigations in the Philippines and reports that his son found such material while clearing a former home.

The U.S. Attorney's Office confirmed the charge and the discovery of materials depicting Markle with minor girls, while Markle has previously denied related allegations as lies.

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has been estranged from her father since 2018 and issued a statement last month expressing distress over earlier reports.

The case marks a formal U.S. prosecution after months of overseas probes and will proceed in federal court in Florida.