Duchess Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle Sr., arrested in Florida in child pornography probe

Updated on: November 6, 2026 / 11:45 AM EST / CBS News

Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was arrested in Florida on Friday in connection with allegations that he possessed child sex abuse materials, the Justice Department announced.

The announcement came after three sources familiar with the matter confirmed the arrest to CBS News.

The Justice Department said Markle was arrested for allegedly keeping child sexual abuse material, including sexually explicit photographs of himself with prepubescent girls, in two Los Angeles-area storage units he rented for nearly two decades.

Markle is set for an initial court appearance Friday in Tampa, Florida.

"These allegations are extremely serious, and we will prosecute Mr. Markle to the fullest extent of federal law," Bill Essayli, first assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, said in a statement.

Last month, it was reported that Markle was under investigation by authorities in the Philippines for alleged possession of child sexual abuse materials. Markle has denied the claims against him, calling them "sick lies."

"I have never downloaded anything like that in my life," he was quoted as telling the Daily Mail.

A spokesperson for the Philippine National Police…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/world/