LOS ANGELES — Thomas Wayne Markle, the 82-year-old estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was arrested by FBI agents in Florida on Friday, November 6, 2026, after federal investigators allegedly discovered child sexual abuse material in two storage units in California.
Markle was taken into custody at the Maravida assisted-living facility in Lakeland, near Tampa, where he had been receiving residential care following serious health complications.
The former television lighting director, who uses a wheelchair following the amputation of his left leg, was reportedly escorted from the facility by federal agents. An ambulance was also reportedly called to the scene.
According to the United States Department of Justice, Markle faces one federal count of possession of child sexual abuse material. If convicted, he could receive a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Markle has previously denied the allegations, describing them as false.
FBI Recovers Suspected Material From California Storage Units
Federal prosecutors confirmed that FBI agents executed court-authorised searches at two storage units in the Los Angeles area that Markle had reportedly rented since 2008.
Investigators recovered approximately 78 items, including photographic slides, film negatives and books suspected of containing child sexual abuse material.
According to an affidavit filed with the criminal complaint, investigators identified three photographs of particular concern.
Two allegedly depict an adult man, identified by a witness as Markle, with an unclothed prepubescent girl. A third photograph reportedly depicts an unclothed prepubescent girl inside a room resembling accommodation at a hotel chain in the Philippines.
The affidavit also describes additional photographs that investigators believe may show Markle with children in various stages of undress.
These descriptions form part of the prosecution’s allegations and have not been established through a criminal trial.
First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli described the allegations as extremely serious and said federal prosecutors intended to pursue the case to the fullest extent permitted by law.
The FBI investigation remains ongoing.
Investigation Began With Allegations From the Philippines
The American investigation followed allegations that suspected child sexual abuse material had been discovered among Markle’s belongings at his former residence in Cebu City, Philippines.
His son, Thomas Markle Jr., Meghan’s half-brother, publicly claimed in October that he had uncovered a substantial collection of disturbing images while examining boxes containing family photographs and other personal belongings.
According to his account, the suspected material was discovered among ordinary family possessions.
He said the discovery prompted him to contact law enforcement authorities, including Philippine police and American agencies involved in investigating child exploitation.
Reports indicate that complaints concerning the suspected material had been lodged before the allegations became public in October 2026.
Thomas Markle Jr. said he was deeply disturbed by the discovery and would cooperate with investigators if required to provide evidence.
Philippine authorities subsequently began examining the allegations and reportedly recovered electronic devices and other potential evidence from the property.
The country’s Interior Secretary, Jonvic Remulla, publicly acknowledged the investigation.
Reports alleged that the material discovered in the Philippines included thousands of photographs and at least one video involving children.
Those figures and the identities or nationalities of the individuals depicted have not been independently established through the US criminal proceedings.
Remulla indicated that Thomas Markle Jr. was not being treated as a suspect but was considered a person relevant to the investigation.
Philippine authorities have also reported cooperation with their American counterparts.
Investigators Examine Possible Links to Mexico
The investigation has extended beyond the Philippines and the United States.
Reports have emerged concerning storage facilities associated with Markle near Rosarito, Mexico, where he previously resided.
Mexican authorities reportedly examined storage facilities in the area and recovered items potentially relevant to their inquiries.
Markle has disputed claims concerning storage units attributed to him in Mexico.
The significance of any material recovered there has not been established in the American criminal proceedings.
Investigators in multiple jurisdictions are examining allegations relating to Markle’s former residences and possessions.
Markle Denies Wrongdoing
Before his arrest, Markle rejected accusations that he possessed child sexual abuse material.
He described the allegations as “sick lies” and maintained that he had no involvement in sexual activity with minors.
Markle has also disputed the ownership and authenticity of material attributed to him.
In previous media comments, he acknowledged having paid for sexual encounters with adult women while living in the Philippines but denied any involvement with underage individuals.
Those statements form part of his response to the allegations and do not establish the authenticity or ownership of the material under investigation.
Markle has experienced significant medical difficulties in recent years.
Following complications involving a stroke and a blood clot, his left leg was amputated.
He subsequently returned to the United States from the Philippines and began receiving care at a residential facility in Florida.
His medical condition has attracted attention following the publication of photographs and footage reportedly showing him being taken into custody in a wheelchair.
Meghan Markle Responds to Allegations Against Her Father
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, previously expressed distress after allegations concerning her father became public in October.
In a statement, she said she was deeply troubled by the reports and expressed concern for any children who might have been harmed.
Meghan also disclosed that a letter containing troubling allegations concerning her father had reportedly been sent to police in London in 2018.
She indicated that concerns about her children’s safety had influenced her decision to maintain distance from him.
Meghan and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, have two children, Archie and Lilibet.
The relationship between Meghan and her father has remained strained since the period surrounding her marriage to Prince Harry at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018.
Markle, who previously worked as a television lighting and photography director, separated from Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, when Meghan was young.
His relationship with his daughter deteriorated amid extensive media attention surrounding the royal wedding and subsequent family disputes.
Following the latest arrest, a representative for Meghan reportedly declined to provide further comment.
Meanwhile, Meghan’s half-sister, Samantha Markle, has publicly questioned the allegations and expressed support for her father.
Federal Court Proceedings and Possible Sentence
Markle was scheduled to make his initial appearance before a federal magistrate judge in Tampa on November 6.
Subsequent reporting indicates that he appeared before the court and was released pending trial under conditions that included home detention and electronic monitoring.
The criminal complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, where investigators allegedly recovered the disputed material.
Federal prosecutors have confirmed that the charge carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment.
The maximum penalty does not indicate the sentence that would necessarily follow a conviction.
A criminal complaint represents allegations made by prosecutors. It does not constitute proof that the accused committed the alleged offence.
Markle retains the right to challenge the evidence presented against him and defend himself throughout the proceedings.
The investigation remains active, with authorities examining material allegedly recovered across several countries.
Further court proceedings are expected to determine how the prosecution will advance its case and whether the evidence supports the charge against him.
Markle is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
