Meghan Markle’s father arrested by FBI over child pornography charges
Fox News correspondent Danamarie McNicholl discusses Thomas Markle’s court appearance on ‘Special Report.’
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Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan Markle, allegedly cut off his ankle monitor after being released from federal custody.
During an emergency hearing Tuesday, Markle Sr., 82, was remanded back into federal custody. The US Attorney said it’s clear “even with medication” Markle remains agitated.
Markle Sr.’s ankle monitor had been cut off and stabbed in an intentional way to disable it, prosecutors told the judge.
MEGHAN MARKLE SAYS SHE KEPT FATHER AWAY FROM KIDS TO ‘PROTECT’ THEM OVER ‘DISTURBING ALLEGATIONS’ AGAINST HIM
Thomas Markle was arrested on Nov. 6(Jeff Rayner / Coleman-Rayner)
“He allegedly cut the bracelet off at 1:45 a.m. last night. Release conditions are court orders, not suggestions,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California wrote on X. “We are asking the court to revoke his release and detain him pending trial, and we will continue to prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law.”
Markle Sr. was released on bond from federal custody Friday following his arrest on a charge of possessing child sexual abuse images. He was initially placed under house arrest.
Meanwhile, Meghan attended the opening of the Lost Screen Memorial at the European Parliament alongside Prince Harry on Tuesday in Belgium. It was the Duchess of Sussex’s first public appearance since her father’s arrest.
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Thomas Markle Sr. was released on bond from federal custody Friday following his arrest on a charge of possessing child sexual abuse images.(Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office)
Federal prosecutors charged Markle with possession of child pornography in a criminal complaint filed Nov. 5.
Markle Sr. denied the allegations against him in a statement to the Daily Mail.
“I’m shocked, I’m hurt and I’m very upset that my son is making these accusations against me,” he was quoted as saying. “I could never do what I’m being accused of. It’s the worst thing anyone could accuse me of.”
Meghan Markle is estranged from her father, Thomas Markle Sr
According to the 14-page complaint obtained by Fox News Digital, FBI agents searched two storage units registered to Markle and seized approximately 78 items, including film negatives, slides and books containing suspected child sexual abuse material. Investigators say Markle had rented the units since 2008 and continued paying for them through October 2026.
Agents identified approximately 18 suspected illegal images among the film negatives recovered from one unit.
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According to the complaint, a witness who had known Markle since the 1970s identified him as the adult man appearing with a prepubescent girl in at least two photographs.
Retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jason Pack previously told Fox News Digital what investigators could do next as the investigation continues.
“Investigators will keep examining the seized material, working to identify and protect any children who may have been harmed, and checking whether the evidence points to other victims or offenses,” Pack explained. The affidavit said a review was still underway.
Markle’s dementia diagnosis matters but “doesn’t automatically end the case,” Pack emphasized.
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Thomas Markle Sr. has denied the allegations.(GC Images)
“The court may need to determine whether he understands the proceedings and can help his lawyer,” he added. “That is different from asking whether a mental illness affected his responsibility at the time of the alleged conduct. Those are legal questions for the judge, supported by medical evidence.”
“There’s going to be a court of public opinion because this is a high-profile family and the allegations are disturbing. But headlines and family history don’t decide guilt,” Pack said. “The focus needs to stay on protecting any children who may have been harmed and letting the evidence be tested in court. A federal charge is serious. The government still has to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.”
