Thomas Markle, the father of Meghan Markle, has been charged over allegations that he possessed child sexual abuse images. Sources told the Associated Press that FBI agents took him into custody in handcuffs after raiding a care home in Tampa, Florida, where he is believed to have been living.
Investigation and Arrest
Last month, Thomas Markle Jr reported his father to authorities in the Philippines, claiming he had found a haul of child sex abuse images. Four boxes of materials were allegedly discovered in Markle Sr's belongings at his former home in the Philippines. They are said to have been handed over to authorities last week, according to the Mirror. The boxes reportedly contained computers, phones, hard drives and old video tapes.
First assistant US attorney Bill Essayli said: “Mr Markle is accused of possessing child sexual abuse material, including photographs depicting himself with minor girls. These allegations are extremely serious, and we will prosecute Mr Markle to the fullest extent of federal law.”
FBI Statements
FBI director Kash Patel said: “The FBI and our partners have arrested Thomas Markle Sr after an FBI investigation revealed he was in possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Mr Markle allegedly targeted innocent children and sought to steal their innocence through his criminal actions.
“Working with our Justice Department partners, our agents moved quickly, identified and located the explicit material, and arrested Mr Markle in Florida. This FBI will use every single resource at our disposal to protect innocent kids – any predator who targets children will have zero safe haven in this country or anywhere they try to hide.
“Thank you to FBI Los Angeles, FBI Tampa, our Mexico and Marshall Islands Law Enforcement Attaches, and our partners who executed quickly in this case.”
Patrick Grandy, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, said: “This case highlights the importance of the involvement of the public, even if it’s a family member or close friend, to be vigilant and speak up if they have information on individuals they suspect may be preying on and exploiting our children.”
Denial and Evidence
Markle Sr was seen being taken from the care home in a wheelchair, but has denied the allegations and branded them “sick lies”. He previously told the Mail that the computers had not been in his possession since he left Mexico with his son in 2025 and moved overseas “for a fresh start”.
The Philippines’ interior and local government secretary Jonvic Remulla told a press conference in Manila yesterday that over 7,000 photos and one video were found. Meghan's father has been living in Florida after moving back to America from the Philippines last year.
