NewsWFLA News Channel 8November 6, 2026Hillsborough County
FBI arrests Thomas Wayne Markle Sr. in Florida on child pornography charges
Photo: WFLA News Channel 8
Thomas Wayne Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was arrested in Florida and charged with one count of possession of child pornography after the FBI seized suspected materials from California storage units.
Read the full story at WFLA News Channel 8Why It Matters
The federal case involves the arrest of a high-profile family member, carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison if convicted.
Key Facts
- Thomas Wayne Markle Sr., 82, was arrested in Florida and charged with one count of possession of child pornography.
- The FBI filed a criminal complaint affidavit after receiving reports from multiple witnesses.
- Witness 1 reported finding child pornography in Markle’s possessions in the Philippines.
- Witness 2 directed authorities to two storage units in California rented by Markle in the summer of 2008.
- The most recent auto-payment for the California storage units occurred on Oct. 14, 2026.
- The FBI seized 78 items from the storage units, including slides, film negatives, and books.
- Boxes and mail bearing Markle's name were found inside the units, reinforcing ownership.
- The FBI converted some of the negatives into color digital photographs containing suspected child pornography depicting a man with pre-pubescent children.
- Witness 3, who has known Markle since the 1970s, identified him as the man in two of the recovered images.
- Analysis of Kodak 33mm film markings showed it was manufactured in New York or Colorado.
- Environmental clues in the images indicated they were taken at Anahaw Lodge in the Philippines.
- If convicted, Markle faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Who's Mentioned
locationFla.“State where the arrest took place.”PersonWitness 2“Led authorities to two storage units in California rented by Markle.”locationAnahaw Lodge“Filipino motel and hotel chain where images were determined to be taken.”PersonWitness 1“Informed federal authorities about child pornography in Markle’s possessions in ”PersonWitness 3“Identified Markle as the man in two of the seized images.”OrganizationFBI“Federal agency that filed the criminal complaint affidavit and made the arrest.”PersonMeghan“Duchess of Sussex, daughter of Thomas Wayne Markle Sr.”locationCalifornia“State where Markle rented two storage units.”PersonPatrick Grandy“Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.”locationLakeland“City in Florida where Markle lives.”PersonThomas Wayne Markle Sr.“Estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrested in Florida.”locationColorado“Manufacturing location of Kodak 33mm film.”locationNew York“Manufacturing location of Kodak 33mm film.”PersonAngelo King“Founder of the Anahaw Lodge chain, not implicated in the affidavit.”locationPhilippines“Location where Witness 1 found materials.”locationTAMPA“City in Florida where the news outlet is based.”