Thomas Markle Sr., father of Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle, has been arrested in Florida on a federal complaint concerning the possession of child sexual abuse material. The arrest was carried out on Friday, and the suspect is 82 years old.
According to the federal complaint, Markle possessed child sexual abuse material. Federal investigators reportedly found explicit photographs in which he appears together with minors. The U.S. Department of Justice reported this evidence, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation took part in the arrest. Information about the suspicions first emerged last month, CBS News reported.
The case is at the federal complaint stage, and there has been no conviction. The court proceedings are still ahead, and it is unclear whether additional charges will follow. Apart from the complaint itself, the prosecution has reportedly made no public comments.
Meghan Markle has long been estranged from her father, a fact that is being noted in connection with the case. Neither she nor the royal family has reportedly responded publicly to the arrest.
The federal complaint is the first official step in the case, and at this stage only suspicions have been brought. All allegations remain subject to judicial review, and the accused is presumed innocent until a court rules otherwise.