Thomas Markle child pornography charge, Digi Mart USA News: US authorities have charged Thomas Markle, the father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, with possessing child pornography. The charge alleges the 82-year-old had pictures of himself with prepubescent girls.
FBI agents arrested Mr. Markle at the Florida aged-care home where he lived on Friday, local time.
He is expected to appear in court in Tampa later on the same day.
The US Justice Department alleges Mr. Markle kept child sexual abuse material in two storage units in the Los Angeles area for nearly two decades.
First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement, “These allegations are extremely serious, and we will prosecute Mr. Markle to the fullest extent of federal law.”
FBI Director Kash Patel said the FBI and its partners arrested Thomas Markel Sr. after an investigation revealed he was in possession of child sexual abuse material.
Patel said Mr. Markle allegedly targeted innocent children and sought to steal their innocence through his criminal actions.
British media published images of FBI agents arresting Mr. Markle on Friday morning.
His daughter, the Duchess of Sussex, is an actor and entrepreneur and is among the world’s most recognizable people. She married Prince Harry, the second son of King Charles III, in 2018, and has been estranged from her father since around that time.
Last month, the Duchess criticized her father when it was revealed police were investigating him. In a statement issued on October 23, she said she was “deeply distressed” by the news and that her thoughts were with any children who may have been harmed.
She added that her distance from her father and her decision not to allow him contact with their children was “for one reason: to protect them.”
The ABC understands the Duchess will not comment on his arrest.
