Thomas Markle, the 82-year-old father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has appeared in a Florida federal court charged with possessing child sexual abuse material following an FBI investigation.
Authorities allege that searches of two Los Angeles-area storage units rented by Markle uncovered dozens of items, including photographs, slides and books containing illegal material.
Markle, who previously dismissed allegations against him as “sick lies”, appeared in a wheelchair and was ordered to remain under home detention with electronic monitoring at his Florida assisted living facility. No plea was entered, and further proceedings are expected in California. Investigators say witnesses identified Markle in two alleged abuse images, potentially dating back several decades.
The case follows separate inquiries in the Philippines and scrutiny of London’s Metropolitan Police over its handling of earlier allegations. Meghan, who has long been estranged from her father, previously expressed distress over the allegations and concern for any children who may have been harmed.
