In Florida on Friday, FBI agents arrested Thomas Markle Sr., 82, charging him with possessing child sexual abuse material kept in two California storage units.
The charge, a single count of possessing child sexual abuse material, was announced by federal prosecutors in California's Central District.
Markle was taken into custody at a senior living community in Lakeland, near Tampa. The Daily Mail first reported the arrest.
Agents seized about 78 items, including slides, film negatives and books containing child sexual abuse material, according to a 14-page federal criminal complaint. The material was allegedly kept in two Los Angeles-area storage units Markle rented for nearly two decades, from 2008.
An affidavit filed with the complaint stated that a witness identified Markle as the man in two images, which also depicted a nude underage girl.
Bill Essayli, First Assistant United States Attorney, announced the charge and spoke about what the images showed.
Mr. Markle is accused of possessing child sexual abuse material, including photographs depicting himself with minor girls.
He said the allegations were extremely serious.
These allegations are extremely serious, and we will prosecute Mr. Markle to the fullest extent of federal law.
Kash Patel, the FBI director, confirmed the arrest.
Mr Markle allegedly targeted innocent children and sought to steal their innocence through his criminal actions.
He said the FBI and its partners had arrested Markle after an investigation found he was in possession of child sexual abuse material.
Patrick Grandy, who leads the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, said the case showed what could happen when a relative shared information.
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.
Four jurisdictions, one set of allegations
The arrest in Florida follows scrutiny of the same claims in three other countries. Each inquiry is at a different stage.
Where the case has been examined
United States
Federal charge filed in California
- One count of possessing child sexual abuse material
- Markle arrested in Lakeland, Florida, on Friday 6 November 2026
- Case filed as United States of America v Thomas Wayne Markle
Britain
Metropolitan Police referral
- Allegations referred to agencies overseas last month
- Force admits it never shared the details
- Independent Office for Police Conduct investigating
Last month, Markle's son, Thomas Markle Jr, reported him to police in the Philippines and to the FBI, saying he had allegedly discovered illegal images among his father's possessions in Cebu City.
In the Philippines, where Markle had previously lived, authorities began investigating him last month over the allegations.
British police said last month they would refer the allegations to law enforcement agencies overseas after establishing the claims had not been passed to other authorities when first received.
The Metropolitan Police said it never shared the details with other agencies. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the force's conduct.
Last week, police reportedly found a second hoard during a raid on a storage unit near Markle's former home in Rosarito, Mexico, which he is said to have rented.
- 2008Storage units rented Markle takes on two units in the Los Angeles area.
- 2018 or 2019Letter to London police A letter with allegations about Markle is sent to the force.
- Last monthSon goes to police Thomas Markle Jr contacts police in the Philippines and the FBI.
- Last monthOverseas referral British police say they will pass the allegations to agencies abroad.
- 6 Nov 2026Arrest in Florida FBI agents take Markle into custody in Lakeland.
Distress, and a letter to her father
She said last month that she was deeply distressed about the allegations concerning her father.
Meghan is said to have written her father a final letter, telling him she considered him an abuser and that he would not meet her grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
She wanted to speak out as soon as she read the letter, but police advised her against it, sources said.
Markle denies the accusations
Markle has denied the allegations, telling the Daily Mail they weren't true.
sick lies
He said he had paid for sex in the Philippines and denied ever possessing child abuse imagery.
A retired television lighting and photography director, Markle didn't attend the 2018 wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan, from whom he was estranged. Meghan, an American, married King Charles's younger son that year, and she and Harry moved back to the UK in August.
After having his leg amputated in the Philippines last year, Markle appealed for Meghan to contact him.
After the bureau became aware of developments in the Philippines, FBI agents interviewed a person last month who knew Markle was renting the two California units. His most recent payments on both units were made last month by auto-pay.
Where the accounts differ, and what is not known
The published accounts part company on the maximum sentence, the year of the letter to London police and the place of his arrest.
| Detail | What the accounts say |
|---|---|
| Maximum sentence if convicted | Up to 20 years (the Guardian); at least 20 years (RTÉ) |
| Year the letter reached London police | 2018 (Meghan); 2019 (two accounts) |
| Place of arrest | Senior living community in Lakeland (Daily Mail); nursing home near Tampa (the Guardian); dementia care home (two accounts) |
A spokesperson for Meghan did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
What we know
- Markle was arrested in Florida on Friday 6 November 2026 and charged with one count of possessing child sexual abuse material.
- British police said last month they would refer the allegations to agencies overseas.
- The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the Metropolitan Police's conduct.
Still unclear
- Whether Markle appeared in court in Tampa and what happened at that appearance.
- What the FBI's ongoing review of the seized material will find.
- The results of the Philippine investigation and of the IOPC inquiry.
