Meghan Markle’s estranged father Thomas Markle was on Friday arrested by federal agents in Florida on charges related to child sexual abuse material, according to people familiar with the matter, the Associated Press reported.
The Daily Mail, which first reported the arrest, said Markle Sr was taken into custody at his senior living community in Lakeland, Florida, over allegations involving possession of child sexual abuse material. The 82-year-old father of Prince Harry’s wife was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), according to a US Justice Department official.
British police also said last month that they would refer allegations concerning Markle Sr to overseas law enforcement agencies after discovering that the claims had not been forwarded to other authorities when they were initially received. Markle is charged with one count of possession of child pornography, and is expected to appear in court in Tampa on Friday.
Authorities in the Philippines, where Markle Sr previously lived, launched an investigation into the allegations last month.
