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The US Department of Justice says Thomas Markle, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s father, was arrested in Florida and charged with one count of possessing child sexual abuse material. He is scheduled to make an initial appearance in federal court in Tampa; the charge is an allegation, and the outcome of the hearing is not yet known.
Thomas Markle, the 82-year-old father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was arrested in Florida and charged with one count of possessing child sexual abuse material, the US Department of Justice said. Markle is due to appear in federal court in Tampa; the charge is an allegation, and the available report does not establish whether he has entered a plea.
The Justice Department said the federal criminal complaint alleges that Markle kept child sexual abuse material in two storage units in the Los Angeles area, which it said he had rented for nearly two decades. The department described the alleged material as including sexually explicit photographs of Markle with prepubescent girls. Those details are allegations in the complaint, not findings of guilt.
According to the department, agents searched storage units Markle had rented since 2008 and seized about 78 items, including slides, film negatives and books that investigators suspected contained illegal material. The department said Markle, who lives in Lakeland, Florida, was charged with one count of possession of child pornography.
FBI Director Kash Patel said investigators identified and located the material before arresting Markle in Florida. Markle has previously strongly denied allegations that he possessed images of child abuse, describing them as “sick lies,” according to the BBC report. No response from Markle to the current charge is included in the available reporting.
The Case Moves to Federal Court
The arrest turns allegations previously associated with Markle into a federal criminal case, with a court appearance now scheduled. The hearing may provide the first public indications of how the case will proceed, including whether Markle enters a plea and whether he remains in custody or is released on bail.
The case also draws public attention because Markle is the father of Meghan, a prominent public figure. That family connection does not establish anything about the charge, and the legal allegations concern Markle. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not commented on his arrest, according to a spokesman cited by the BBC.
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Earlier Allegations and Denials
Meghan said last month that in 2019 she received a letter from the UK Metropolitan Police containing what she called “disturbing allegations” about her father. The letter had been written by Markle’s first wife, the BBC reported. The new federal charge is a separate development; the supplied report does not establish how the earlier allegations relate to the criminal complaint.
Markle has previously denied allegations that he possessed images of child abuse. The Justice Department’s announcement now sets out a specific federal charge and allegations about material recovered from storage units. A charge is not a conviction, and the claims must be tested through the court process.
““charged with one count of possession of child pornography””
— The US Department of Justice
Plea and Custody Remain Unknown
The available report does not say whether Markle has entered a plea, whether prosecutors will pursue further charges, or whether the court will order him held or released on bail. Those matters may be addressed at the initial court appearance, but no outcome is confirmed here.
The case was reported as being under seal earlier in the day. The BBC said sealed proceedings can limit public access to details, for example to protect victims’ identities or confidential information. It is not clear from the supplied material whether the case remains sealed or which records may become public. The allegations in the complaint have not been resolved in court.
The Tampa Hearing Comes Next
Markle is scheduled to appear at 13:30 ET (18:30 GMT) in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Tampa, according to the Justice Department. The BBC reported that cameras are not permitted in the courtroom, so public updates may depend on court records and statements after the hearing.
The appearance is expected to address initial procedural matters. Whether Markle will enter a plea or remain in custody is not confirmed in the supplied reporting. The next substantive developments will depend on the court proceedings and any further statements from prosecutors or Markle’s representatives.
Key Questions
What was Thomas Markle charged with?
The Justice Department says Markle faces one federal count of possessing child pornography. The charge is an allegation, not a finding of guilt.
Where and when is his court appearance?
He is scheduled to appear at 13:30 ET (18:30 GMT) in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Tampa, according to the Justice Department.
Has Thomas Markle pleaded guilty or not guilty?
The supplied reporting does not confirm a plea. The initial appearance may provide information about how he plans to respond, but that remains unknown.
Have Meghan and Prince Harry commented?
A spokesman said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not commenting on Markle’s arrest, according to the BBC report.
Source: bbc.com
