Meghan Markle’s Dad Arrested in Child Sex Abuse Material Case. Here’s What the Feds Have to Say

Things are continuing to go downhill for Meghan Markle’s father, Thomas Markle Sr., in the aftermath of his child sex abuse material investigation. Now, more details about his new arrest and what the FBI has found have been released.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli told the AP that federal agents searched two Los Angeles-area storage units that Markle had been renting since 2008. Once inside, they “seized approximately 78 items, including slides, film negatives, and books” that had child sexual abuse images.

Per an official FBI affidavit, the feds were tipped off about the U.S. storage units after learning about other images and videos depicting child sexual abuse on Markle Sr.’s electronic devices that were reportedly found at his former home in the Philippines and the national police investigation that followed.

Related: New Developments in Child Sex Abuse Material Allegations Against Meghan Markle’s Father

As a result of those findings and this new search, Markle Sr. was arrested outside of Tampa, Florida, and charged with “one count of possession of child pornography,” per NBC 6 Miami. He’s expected to appear in court at some point on Friday. If convicted, he faces 20 years in federal prison.

In response to the arrest, Essayli said in a statement: “These allegations are extremely serious, and we will prosecute Mr. Markle to the fullest extent of federal law.”

FBI Director Kash Patel also commented on the arrest: “Mr. Markle allegedly targeted innocent children and sought to steal their innocence through his criminal actions. The agency will use every single resource at our disposal to protect innocent kids— any predator who targets children will have zero safe haven in this country, or anywhere they try to hide.”

As we previously told you, the Duchess spoke out about the allegations against her father when her half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., contacted authorities in the Philippines after allegedly discovering images and videos depicting child sexual abuse on their father’s electronic devices at his former home. In her statement, she said she was “deeply distressed” by the news and expressed hope that justice would be served. Markle Sr. has denied the allegations, calling them lies and “bullsh*t.”