Meghan Markle's father faces federal charges over storage unit find

Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, was arrested Friday morning in Florida. Federal authorities charged the 82-year-old man with possessing child sexual abuse material found in storage units in California.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated that agents searched two units in the Los Angeles area. The team seized approximately 78 items, including slides, film negatives, and books, that contained suspected images of child sexual abuse. Markle had rented these units since 2008.

The investigation began after Meghan’s half brother, Thomas Markle Jr., discovered a collection of such images while clearing out their father’s former home in the Philippines. Markle Jr. reported the findings to local police and contacted the FBI. An FBI affidavit filed in court indicates that some of the images appear to depict Markle Sr. with children.

Essayli said the federal team intends to prosecute Markle to the fullest extent of federal law. Markle was scheduled for an initial court appearance in Tampa, Florida, on Friday afternoon. It was not immediately known if he retained an attorney to respond to the allegations.

Meghan, who is an American citizen and former actress, said she was deeply distressed by the news. She revealed that a letter containing troubling allegations about her father had been sent to London police in 2018. She stated that she was given assurances the matter was being investigated at that time.

"It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated," Meghan said. She added that her choice to limit contact with her father was made to protect their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Markle Jr. told The Sun that he found hundreds, if not thousands, of images in boxes in Cebu City. He said he would not speak to his father again unless called to give evidence. Markle Sr., a retired television lighting and photography director, returned to the U.S. earlier this year after suffering a stroke and having his left leg amputated.