Federal Agents Arrest Thomas Markle Sr. in Florida
The arrest follows reports that his son found images of child sexual abuse at the former's home in the Philippines.
By Takeshi Faure ·
Federal agents arrested Thomas Markle Sr. on Friday morning outside Tampa, Florida. Two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that the charges relate to child sexual abuse material. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation is not yet public.
Thomas Markle Sr. is the estranged father of Meghan Markle, the wife of Prince Harry. His detention follows a report from The Sun, a British tabloid, that his half-brother Thomas Markle Jr. discovered a large collection of such images. Markle Jr. found the material while clearing out his father's home in Cebu City, the Philippines.
Meghan Markle recently addressed the allegations. She described herself as deeply distressed by the news. She noted that a letter containing troubling allegations about her father had been sent to London police in 2018. She stated that she was assured the matter was under investigation at that time.
"It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated," Meghan said. "I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications' distortion over the years, any distance from my father and my choice to not allow him to have contact with our children was for one reason: to protect them."
The couple married at Windsor Castle in 2018. Meghan is an American citizen and a former star of the television drama Suits. They have two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Thomas Markle Sr., a retired television lighting and photography director, did not attend the wedding. British media covered the estrangement extensively at the time.
Thomas Markle Sr. was living in the Philippines earlier this year. He suffered a stroke and required the amputation of his left leg. That medical event forced his return to the United States. The Sun reported that Markle Jr. found hundreds, if not thousands, of images in boxes at the Cebu City property.
Markle Jr. told The Sun that he reported the images to police in the Philippines and contacted the FBI. "I have supported, cared for him and helped him for years, but that stops now," Markle Jr. said. "I won't speak to my father ever again unless I'm called to give evidence against him."
