Meghan Markle's father arrested for possession of child porn
The US Department of Justice confirms the arrest of Duchess Meghan Markle's father in Florida
Quick Look
- Thomas Markle, 82, has been arrested and charged with possession of child pornography in Tampa, Florida, according to the US Department of Justice.
- He denies the allegations.
- Daughter Meghan Markle, married to Prince Harry, said in October that she was shaken.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Thomas Markle is the father of Duchess Meghan Markle, who is married to Britain's Prince Harry. The couple married in 2018, the same year that Meghan Markle reportedly broke off contact with her father. Their two children have never met their grandfather. At the end of October, the suspicions became known, and Meghan Markle said then that she was shaken. Philippine police are recently investigating a laptop computer found with images of child abuse in a residence said to have been Thomas Markle's former home.
Duchess Meghan Markle's father has been arrested on suspicion of possessing child pornography, the US Department of Justice said on Friday. The 82-year-old has also been charged on that count and is expected to appear in court in Tampa on Friday, according to Reuters.
"Mr. Markle is accused of possessing child sexual abuse material, including photographs of himself with underage girls," Assistant Federal Attorney General Bill Essayli said, according to the news agency.
"The allegations are extremely serious, and we will prosecute Mr. Markle to the full extent of federal law."
A Justice Department source said the FBI was involved in the arrest. The Daily Mail, which first reported the incident, said he was arrested at his seniors' home in Lakeland, a Florida city east of Tampa.
The father has denied the allegations.
In connection with the suspicions becoming known at the end of October, daughter Meghan Markle, who is married to Britain's Prince Harry, said she was "shaken".
Recently, Philippine police announced that they were examining a laptop computer found along with images of child abuse at a residence said to have been Markle the elder's former home.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry married in 2018, the same year she allegedly broke off contact with her father Thomas Markle. Their two children have never met their grandfather.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Thomas Markle will appear in court in Tampa on Friday
Very likely · Within hours
Open Questions
- What evidence does the prosecutor have to bring charges?
- When exactly will the trial begin?
- What does the laptop that Philippine police are examining show?
- Does Thomas Markle have a lawyer representing him?
