Thomas Markle, 82, Arrested in Florida on Federal Child Abuse Material Charge

Thomas Markle, the 82-year-old father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was arrested Friday in Florida on a federal charge of possessing child sexual abuse material. The Justice Department said the material was kept in two Los Angeles-area storage units. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison, according to the Los Angeles Times and CBS News.

A magistrate judge released Markle on his own recognizance with home detention and electronic monitoring. The charge is an allegation, and no plea has been entered. Markle has previously denied wrongdoing in the separate Philippine case, calling the claims "sick lies" in comments the Daily Mail published and CBS News cited.

What the criminal complaint alleges

According to the complaint, as described by CBS News and Fox News, Markle rented two storage units in the Los Angeles area from 2008. The most recent payments were made automatically last month. FBI agents seized 78 items, including slides, film negatives and books containing suspected child sexual abuse material. The Los Angeles Times reported that about 27 items came from the first unit and about 51 from the second.

CBS News reported that agents found at least 18 images in one unit that appear to constitute child pornography. Two images allegedly show an adult man with a nude prepubescent girl. A witness who has known Markle since the 1970s identified him as the man in at least two photographs, according to the complaint. A third image allegedly shows a nude prepubescent girl in a room that appears to be in the Philippines. Fox News reported that investigators identified a hotel called Anahaw Lodge in photographs.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California said prosecutors would pursue the case "to the fullest extent of federal law." FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement that the bureau would use every resource to protect children.

How the case reached U.S. prosecutors

The federal case follows an investigation in the Philippines. Markle's son, Thomas Markle Jr., has said he found images at his father's former home in Cebu and reported them to Philippine police and the FBI. A Philippine National Police spokesperson told CBS News the investigation began after Markle Jr. turned over his father's personal items.

Philippine authorities said Thursday they had named Markle Jr. a person of interest. They are examining more than 7,000 images and a video recovered from digital devices allegedly belonging to the elder Markle, according to the Los Angeles Times. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla called the material deeply disturbing.

In Mexico, the Baja California state attorney general's office told CBS News that a search on Oct. 29, prompted by an emergency call, turned up three old magazines and VHS tapes containing child pornography. It said the evidence was referred to the federal attorney general's office.

What the court has ordered so far

Markle appeared in federal court in Tampa. CBS News reported that U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Wilson barred him from traveling outside the Middle District of Florida and the Central District of California. Fox News reported that the judge ordered a psychological evaluation to determine whether Markle understands the charges, and that he will be held under home detention at the memory care facility where he was arrested.

Reports differ on where the case goes next. Fox News said Markle was given the option of proceeding in California, which would mean remaining in custody and being transported there. CBS News reported that prosecutors have not decided whether he stays in Florida or is moved to California. CBS News said his arraignment in California is not yet scheduled and likely will not happen for at least several weeks.

Meghan's statement and the police letter

Meghan said in a statement that she was deeply distressed and that her thoughts were with any children who may have been harmed. She said a letter containing troubling allegations about her father was shared with her and that she was told they were being investigated. She said her decision to keep him from contact with her children was made to protect them. CBS News reported she will not comment further on the arrest for now, citing sources.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed it received a letter in January 2019 with claims about alleged offending outside the United Kingdom. It said it shared the letter with Harry and Meghan's office but not with other law enforcement agencies. The force said it is reviewing how it handled the matter and considering whether to refer itself to the police watchdog. Fox News quoted Meghan as dating the letter to 2018, while the police date it to January 2019.

What this means for the case ahead

Retired FBI supervisory special agent Jason Pack told Fox News Digital that investigators are likely to keep examining the seized material. He said they would also try to identify any children who may have been harmed and check for other victims or offenses. The affidavit says that review is continuing.

Pack said a dementia diagnosis, which Fox News reported Markle has, does not automatically end a case. A court may need to decide whether he understands the proceedings and can assist his lawyer, he said, which is a separate question from his state of mind at the time of any alleged conduct. He added that prosecutors must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

For now, the practical steps are the court-ordered evaluation, a decision on which district hears the case, and an arraignment date. Philippine and Mexican investigations are proceeding separately.

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Around Prague, based on reporting by Fox News, Los Angeles Times, CBS News