Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was arrested in Florida on Friday, November 6, and charged with one federal count of possession of child pornography, the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed. The 82-year-old faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison if convicted.
In the latest development, Markle appeared in federal court in Tampa and was released under home detention with electronic monitoring. He did not enter a plea at the hearing, Reuters reported.
Federal prosecutors allege that Markle kept child sexual abuse material in two storage units in the Los Angeles area. According to the Justice Department, he had rented both units since 2008, with payments continuing through October 2026.
FBI agents executing search warrants seized approximately 78 items, including photographic slides, film negatives and books containing suspected child sexual abuse material. Prosecutors further allege that some photographs depict Markle with underage girls. Those allegations have not been proven in court.
The investigation began in October after authorities received information about suspected material among Markle's possessions in the Philippines. Information from witnesses subsequently led investigators to the California storage units, according to the federal complaint.
Markle previously denied the accusations, describing them as "sick lies," Reuters reported. Meghan had earlier expressed distress over the allegations. Neither her spokesperson nor Buckingham Palace commented to Reuters on the arrest.
Meghan and her father have been estranged for several years. The ABC reported on November 7 that it understood the duchess would not comment on his arrest.
The FBI investigation remains ongoing. A criminal complaint contains allegations, and Markle is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
