Thomas Markle Arrested? FBI Raid, Son Named Person of Interest as Meghan’s Family Faces Probe

Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was arrested by FBI agents near Tampa, Florida, on Friday, Nov. 6, amid an international investigation into alleged child sexual abuse material. His son, Thomas Markle Jr., has separately been named a person of interest in a Philippine probe.

The Associated Press reported that the 82-year-old’s arrest involved charges related to child sexual abuse material. A Justice Department official confirmed the arrest to Reuters but did not disclose the reason. It remains unclear whether Markle Sr. has been formally charged in the United States.

The Philippine investigation began after Markle Jr. reportedly found suspected abusive material among his father’s belongings in Cebu and handed electronic devices to authorities. Investigators are examining the files and seeking to establish device ownership and responsibility.

Thomas Markle Jr. Named Person of Interest in Philippines Investigation

Philippine Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Nov. 5 that Thomas Markle Jr., 60, had been named a person of interest after witnesses alleged that underage girls were brought to a residence linked to him in Cebu.

“There are signs that point that the son is involved in the crime as well but only as a person of interest so far,” Remulla told GMA News. He stressed that Markle Jr. was not a suspect and that his possible involvement remained under investigation.

Remulla also said investigators saw ring lights at the residence, which Markle Jr. explained were used to make TikTok videos. Authorities said they had found no underage girls in videos on his account. Markle Jr. had earlier alerted authorities after reportedly discovering suspected abusive material among his father’s belongings and handed over electronic devices for examination.

Philippine Police Recover Thousands of Images From Electronic Devices

The Philippine investigation expanded in October after Markle Jr. handed electronic devices to authorities. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said investigators recovered about 7,500 photographs and one video involving underage children. The Philippine National Police separately told Agence France-Presse that three memory cards and a mobile phone contained child sexual abuse material.

A court-authorized warrant was obtained on Oct. 29 to examine the devices, but investigators have yet to establish their ownership or who created or distributed the material.

PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. urged caution, telling AFP: “It is not enough to simply come across some materials and immediately draw conclusions.” He added: “We have to establish where these came from, who may be responsible, and whether Philippine laws were violated.”

The probe has also extended to Mexico and the United States. Reuters reported that the Daily Mail, citing unnamed sources, said material was found in a Mexican storage unit, while ITV News reported that California police were searching for a facility reportedly linked to Markle Sr. The findings and ownership of the material remain under investigation.

Thomas Markle Denies Allegations as Meghan Says She Is ‘Deeply Distressed’

Markle Sr. has denied the allegations, calling them “sick lies” in comments to the Daily Mail. Meghan, who has been estranged from her father since 2018, said she was “deeply distressed” and recalled that a letter detailing allegations against him had been sent to Britain’s Metropolitan Police and later shared with her.

“It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated,” she said. Meghan has also said her decision to keep her father away from her children was motivated by concerns for their safety.

British police said in October that they would refer the allegations to overseas law enforcement after discovering they had not been passed to other authorities when first received. Investigations are now ongoing in the United States, the Philippines and the United Kingdom, with device ownership and forensic findings still under examination.