The U.S. Attorney for California, Bill Essayli, said FBI agents raided the storage units and recovered 78 items, including three images of Markle with underage girls. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. FBI Director Kash Patel stated Markle allegedly targeted children to “steal their innocence” and said the FBI would use all resources to protect children.

The investigation began when Markle’s son, Thomas Markle Jr., discovered hundreds or potentially thousands of images at his father’s former home in Cebu City, Philippines. He reported the findings to Philippine police and the FBI. Philippine authorities recovered around 7,500 images and one video from electronic devices, with some children appearing to be as young as 10 or 11.

Markle has denied possessing child abuse imagery and called his son’s allegations “sick lies.” He previously admitted to paying for sex in the Philippines but has not admitted to possessing or producing child sexual abuse material. His son, Thomas Markle Jr., is now a person of interest in the investigation, as Philippine authorities are examining whether underage girls visited his home in Cebu. Markle Jr. is not being treated as a suspect.

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, said last month she was “deeply distressed” by the allegations and revealed that she had received a letter in 2018 from London’s Metropolitan Police containing “troubling and disturbing allegations” about her father. She said she was assured the allegations were being investigated but later learned the police had not shared the details with other agencies. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is now investigating the Met’s handling of the case, according to The Independent and Euronews.

Meghan said she decided to cut off contact with her father to protect her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. She married Prince Harry in 2018, and her father did not attend the wedding due to a publicized family dispute.

The Metropolitan Police has admitted it did not share the 2018 allegations with other law enforcement agencies, and the police watchdog is now reviewing its conduct. The duchess has declined to comment further on the arrest.