FBI Arrests Thomas Markle in Florida on Child Pornography Charges
The 82-year-old father of Meghan Markle faces a federal count for possessing sexually explicit images of himself with minors, with a maximum sentence of 20 years.
By Natalie Cooper ·
Federal agents took Thomas Wayne Markle into custody on Friday morning in Lakeland, Florida.
The 82-year-old former lighting director for television was arrested by agents in the Tampa area. A federal complaint accuses him of possessing sexually explicit images of himself with minors. Two people familiar with the case told The Associated Press that the arrest was based on charges related to child sexual abuse material.
The federal complaint lists one count of possession of child pornography. If a jury finds him guilty, Markle faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Bill Essayli, the acting U.S. attorney, stated that the government will pursue the case with the full weight of federal law. He described the accusations as grave and noted that the material includes photographs showing Markle with underage girls.
The investigation began in October 2026. Law enforcement received a tip from a person who discovered the alleged material among Markle’s belongings in the Philippines. That discovery triggered a federal probe that led to the search of two storage units in the Los Angeles area. Markle had rented those units since 2008.
FBI agents located approximately 78 items in the storage facilities. These items included slides, photographic negatives, and books containing suspected child sexual abuse material. The affidavit also noted that investigators found images appearing to show Markle with minors in various states of undress. The evidence formed the basis for the federal complaint filed against him.
The Sun, a British tabloid, reported that Meghan Markle’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., found the collection while clearing out their father’s former home in Cebu, Philippines. Markle Jr. told the newspaper that he discovered hundreds, if not thousands, of images in boxes. He stated that he reported the findings to Philippine police and contacted the FBI.
Meghan Markle, who is American and known for her role in the series Suits, recently expressed deep distress over the allegations. She revealed that in 2018, a letter was sent to the London police department containing what she called concerning and disturbing accusations against her father. She said she was assured at the time that the claims were being investigated. Markle married Prince Harry at Windsor Castle in 2018, and the couple has two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Thomas Markle Sr. lived in the Philippines earlier this year when he suffered a stroke. Doctors amputated his left leg as a result of the medical event. He returned to the United States following that procedure. He did not attend his daughter’s wedding in 2018, a fact that drew extensive media attention regarding the distance between them.
