LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Thomas Wayne Markle, 82, of Lakeland, Florida, was arrested on a federal criminal complaint charging him with one count of possession of child pornography, after investigators say they found child sexual abuse material in two Los Angeles-area storage units he had rented for nearly two decades, federal prosecutors announced on November 6, 2026.
Read the Justice Department release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/thomas-wayne-markle-arrested-federal-complaint-charging-him-possessing-sexually
Markle is the father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
The Tip, The Storage Units, The Search
According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, law enforcement learned in October 2026 that an individual had signed an affidavit about discovering suspected child sexual abuse material among Markle's possessions in the Philippines, the release stated.
Law enforcement also interviewed another individual who disclosed that Markle rented a storage unit in the Los Angeles area, the release stated. Information from the first individual later led agents to a second unit.
FBI special agents searched both storage units under judicially authorized warrants, the release stated. Markle has rented both units since 2008, with his most recent payments on both made last month by auto-pay, the release stated.
Inside the units, agents seized approximately 78 items, including slides, film negatives, and books that contained suspected child sexual abuse material, the release stated.
The Arrest, The Charge, The Court Date
Markle is charged with one count of possession of child pornography, the release stated. If convicted, he would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Get help from someone local. Text HELP to (805) 719-7630 and we'll set up a time to talk that works for you.
Markle is expected to make his initial appearance today in United States District Court in the Middle District of Florida in Tampa, the release stated.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law, the release stated.
The Prosecutors, The Quotes, The Warning
"Mr. Markle is accused of possessing child sexual abuse material, including photographs depicting himself with minor girls," said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. "These allegations are extremely serious, and we will prosecute Mr. Markle to the fullest extent of federal law."
"This case highlights the importance of the involvement of the public, even if it's a family member or close friend, to be vigilant and speak up if they have information on individuals they suspect may be preying on and exploiting our children," said Patrick Grandy, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office. "We remind the public that anyone with information regarding the exploitation of our most vulnerable, is urged to contact local law enforcement immediately or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI."
The FBI is investigating the matter, the release stated. FBI Director Kash Patel thanked FBI Los Angeles, FBI Tampa, and the FBI's law enforcement attaches in Mexico, Manila, and the Marshall Islands, along with partner agencies, for moving quickly in the case, the release stated.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel H. Weiner of the Transnational Organized Crime Section, Kevin J. Butler of the Major Crimes Section, and Kathy Yu, Chief of Ethics, Trials, and Compliance, are prosecuting the case, the release stated.
Anyone who suspects a child is being exploited can report it to local law enforcement or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Sources
U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, "Thomas Wayne Markle Arrested on Federal Complaint Charging Him with Possessing Sexually Explicit Images of Himself with Minor Girls," November 6, 2026: https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/thomas-wayne-markle-arrested-federal-complaint-charging-him-possessing-sexually
Transparency notes
Published: Nov 6, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
Spot an error or missing context? Email hi@kindjoe.com and we will review and correct if needed.
Sources
What's your take on this story?
Vote before the outcome is known and compare your call with the crowd.
No community take has been linked to this story yet.