FBI arrests 82-year-old Thomas Markle Sr. in Florida
The Duke of Sussex's father faces federal charges for possessing child sexual abuse material after a multi-year search of his residences.
By Julia Novak ·
Federal agents arrested 82-year-old Thomas Markle Sr. at a senior living facility in Lakeland, Florida, on Tuesday. The FBI took the former Prince Harry's estranged father into custody for the alleged possession of child sexual abuse material. This action came shortly after journalists uncovered a collection of sexually suggestive items across his previous homes.
The investigation expanded when reporters located an abandoned storage unit near Markle's former residence in Mexico. That site sat approximately 10 miles from the U.S. border. Inside, they found books on pedophilia, magazines featuring child abuse, and photographs of young Asian females. The collection also included film negatives showing children on a beach and a woman with bound limbs.
Among the items were 31 printed photos that appeared to show the same girl in a hotel room. Some images captured her naked, while others showed her clothed and seated beside Markle. These findings triggered a deeper look into his living history and connections to the material.
Markle had previously moved in with his son, Thomas Markle Jr., in the Philippines. During that period, his son reported the alleged possession of child pornography to the Philippine National Police. That report initiated a separate investigation into the materials found in his possession.
The arrest was confirmed by an anonymous source speaking to The Daily Mail. The publication first broke the news of the federal apprehension on Tuesday. Markle is currently 82 years old and resides at the Maravida Senior Living care home in Lakeland.
The case remains a developing story. Authorities have not yet issued a public statement regarding the specific charges filed in federal court. The next steps in the legal process are pending as the investigation continues.
