Thomas Markle, Duchess Meghan's father, arrested by FBI in Florida – Report - USA Today
Thomas Markle, Sr., the estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has reportedly been arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to the Daily Mail and the AP.
Markle was arrested at Maravida Senior Living, a specialized elderly care facility in North Lakeland, Florida, over his alleged possession of child pornography, the Daily Mail reported Friday, Nov. 6.
FBI agents stormed into his home after allegedly discovering "troves of indecent materials" at properties associated with Markle in the Philippines and Mexico.
The arrest comes after police in the Philippines launched an investigation into the 82-year-old, who allegedly kept a stash of child sex images inside his home in Cebu. Meghan's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., reportedly discovered several boxes of material and passed them to authorities.
Markle has denied the allegations, calling the claims "sick lies." In an interview with the Daily Mail, he admitted to paying for sex in the Philippines but said he had never been intimate with anyone underage.
USA TODAY has reached out to the FBI for comment.
In a statement to USA TODAY in October, the FBI said it was aware of the allegations and that it would provide support, as appropriate, to the Philippine authorities. The federal law enforcement agency also said it would "investigate any related allegations of federal violations of U.S. law.”
In October, Meghan issued a statement saying that she was "deeply distressed" over the news that police were investigating her father, calling the claims "sickening." She expressed hope that people would understand why she cut her father out of her life almost a decade ago.
The duchess said that she first became aware of "disturbing allegations" against her dad in 2019 and that she had severed ties with her father to protect her children – Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5 – whom she shares with her husband, Prince Harry.
"My thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed," Meghan said in the Oct. 23. statement.
A rep for Meghan Markle did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.
