Thomas Markle, Meghan's father, was arrested by FBI agents in Florida after being found in possession of child pornography. The Daily Mail reports this, citing a well-informed source.
Markle, 82, was arrested while at the Maravida Senior Living retirement residence in Lakeland, Florida, where he moved after returning to the United States. Markle, a former Hollywood cinematographer, has always denied any wrongdoing.
The child pornography had been found in residences that the Duchess of Sussex's father had rented in Mexico. The Daily Mail reported that the FBI found about 20 boxes containing photographs, publications, computer equipment and VHS tapes, including material depicting child sexual abuse. Mexican authorities seized computers, USB sticks, videotapes and other evidence for forensic analysis.
The other investigations
Meanwhile, in the past few hours the Philippine authorities have announced that they may investigate Meghan Markle's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., now considered a "person of interest" in the alleged child pornography case involving the father of both, Thomas Markle Sr. The latter is under investigation following the discovery of child pornography material in his home in Cebu, in the central Philippines.
"There are indications that the son was also involved in the crime," Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said during a press conference. He specified that, at the moment, the son "is not considered a suspect", while warning that "indicting only the father would mean carrying out only half of the police's work". Although it was Markle Jr. himself who handed over the material to the authorities at the end of October, the police have not ruled out his involvement. Several witnesses reported seeing minors enter the home, where "ring lights" commonly used for video production were also noted, Remulla noted. The sixty-year-old son claimed that the lights were used for the videos he records for his social channels; However, Philippine investigators examined his profiles and found that "no minors appear there," Remulla told the media. The secretary, who had the opportunity to view the material, reported that approximately "7,500 photographs and a video" were found, all portraying both male and female minors of Asian, Latin and European origin, of an age estimated at around "10 or 11 years". “It's something that never leaves your mind once you see it,” commented a visibly upset Remulla, calling the material “one of the most deplorable displays of sexual impunity” he has ever witnessed, adding that it was “truly disturbing”. The Philippine National Police is trying to determine whether the devices belong to 82-year-old Markle Sr. and has requested the FBI's cooperation in the investigation. "The six phones come from the United States" and it is necessary to verify "the SIM cards and their registration", explained the official.
The investigation began on October 23, when Markle Jr. reported finding images and videos of child abuse among belongings left by his father in Cebu, where the latter had resided until mid-year.
