Meghan Markle’s dad Thomas arrested, charged as FBI alleges he appeared in sexually explicit photos with girls

Meghan Markle’s estranged father has been arrested by the FBI and charged with possessing child abuse material, with US prosecutors alleging he kept sexually explicit photographs of himself with prepubescent girls in two Los Angeles-area storage units.

Thomas Markle Sr, 82, was arrested in Lakeland, Florida, on Friday (US time) after a federal criminal complaint was filed against him in California.

Charged under the name Thomas Wayne Markle, he faces one count of possessing child abuse material, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

He is expected to make his first appearance in the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Tampa on Friday.

Federal agents reportedly went to a senior living facility in Lakeland, where Mr Markle had been living since returning to the United States from the Philippines.

Photos taken by local media show him in handcuffs as officers push him in a wheelchair.

“Mr Markle is accused of possessing child sexual abuse material, including photographs depicting himself with minor girls,” First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement.

“These allegations are extremely serious, and we will prosecute Mr Markle to the fullest extent of federal law.”

According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, law enforcement learned in October that a person had signed an affidavit about finding suspected child abuse material among Mr Markle’s possessions in the Philippines. It’s understood this person was Mr Markle’s son, Thomas Markle Jr.

Investigators also interviewed another person, who told them Mr Markle rented a storage unit in the Los Angeles area. Information from the first person later led agents to a second unit.

Mr Markle had rented both units since 2008 and paid for them by automatic payment as recently as last month, the statement said.

Agents searched the units and seized about 80 items, including slides, film negatives and books that contained suspected child abuse material.

The affidavit describes two images showing an adult man, who a witness identified as Mr Markle, with a naked prepubescent girl. A third image shows a naked girl in what appears to be a motel room in the Philippines.

It also describes other photographs that appear to show Mr Markle with partly undressed children.

FBI Director Kash Patel said agents had “moved quickly, identified and located the explicit material, and arrested Mr Markle in Florida”.

The US Attorney’s Office said a criminal complaint contained only allegations.

Mr Markle has denied the allegations, describing them as “sick lies”.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732, Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028, the WA Sexual Assault Resource Centre on 6458 1828 or 1800 199 888, or Lifeline on 13 11 14.