Thomas Markle Sr. Arrested On Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges

Thomas Markle Sr., 82, estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was arrested in Lakeland, Florida, on Friday and charged with one count of child pornography possession. An FBI affidavit revealed agents seized 78 items, including slides and film negatives, from two California storage units Markle rented in 2008. Converted negatives showed a man in his 30s to 40s with nude pre-pubescent children, with one image depicting apparent sexual contact. A third witness, who knew Markle since the 1970s, identified him in two images. Environmental clues placed the photos at Anahaw Lodge, a Filipino motel chain. If convicted, Markle faces up to 20 years in federal prison. The FBI credited public reporting, including by family members, for advancing the case.