Meghan Markle’s father arrested, charged over child abus£ material

Meghan Markle’s father arrested, charged over child abuse material

The father of the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, Thomas Markle Sr, has been arrested by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents in Florida over allegations involving child sexual abuse material.

Reuters reported on Friday that a US Justice Department official confirmed the arrest but did not give a reason for it.

The Associated Press, citing two people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity, also reported that Markle was arrested on charges related to child sexual abuse material and taken into custody near Tampa, Florida.

The Daily Mail, which first reported the arrest, said the 82-year-old was arrested at his senior living community in Lakeland, Florida.

The arrest followed investigations into alleged child sexual abuse material reportedly discovered among belongings linked to Markle in the Philippines and Mexico.

According to The Sun, Markle’s son, Thomas Markle Jr, discovered a collection of images while clearing out his father’s former home in Cebu City, Philippines, and reported the findings to the authorities.

Markle Jr told the newspaper that he found “hundreds, if not thousands” of images.

In an interview with The Sun, he said, “I have supported, cared for him and helped him for years — but that stops now. I won’t speak to my father ever again unless I’m called to give evidence against him.”

The Philippine National Police subsequently obtained a court warrant to examine digital devices recovered from the property.

In a report published on November 3, The Sun quoted Police Major General Wilson Asueta as saying that investigators had discovered files containing suspected child sexual abuse and exploitation material.

“We were able to find that there are files consisting of several CSEAM (Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act) materials,” Asueta said, according to The Sun’s account of his briefing.

The newspaper reported that the police official said the materials would undergo further analysis and that investigators had not established who produced the recordings, who owned the devices or whether Markle appeared in any of the files.

Separately, the New York Post reported on November 3 that Philippine authorities confirmed FBI involvement in the investigation, while alleged abusive material was also reportedly discovered in a storage unit linked to Markle in Rosarito, Mexico.

Markle has consistently denied the allegations.

In an interview with the Daily Mail published on October 23, he said: “I’m shocked, I’m hurt and I’m very upset that my son is making these accusations against me. I could never do what I’m being accused of. It’s the worst thing anyone could accuse me of.

“This is bullshit. It’s just a bunch of lies. It’s sick. I have no idea why Tom is trying to destroy me with these lies.”

His daughter, Meghan, had earlier expressed distress over the allegations.

In a statement reported by the Associated Press and The Guardian on October 23, the Duchess said: “I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed.”

She also disclosed that a letter containing allegations against her father had been sent to the Metropolitan Police in London in 2018 and subsequently shared with her.

“It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated,” she said.

Explaining her decision to keep her father away from her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, Meghan added: “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 Independent also reported that the FBI had previously issued a statement acknowledging the allegations and its involvement in the matter.

An FBI spokesman said: “The FBI is aware of the allegations and will provide support, as appropriate, to the Philippine authorities.

“We will also investigate any related allegations of federal violations of US law.”

Reuters reported that it was unclear whether Markle had been formally charged, while the FBI had not immediately confirmed the arrest.

The investigation involves authorities in the United States and the Philippines.