Meghan Markle’s mother helped FBI identify Thomas Markle in ‘sexually explicit’ photos
· Toronto Sun
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Meghan Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland, assisted authorities in identifying her ex-husband, Thomas Markle, in disturbing images uncovered during an ongoing investigation into alleged child sexual abuse.
Ragland, 70, who was married to Markle from 1979 to 1987, was shown redacted versions of sexually explicit images and helped federal investigators by identifying her ex-husband, The UK Times reported.
Markle was arrested at a senior care facility in Florida on Friday and charged with one count of possession of child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.
What did the photos allegedly show?
In the criminal complaint against Markle, prosecutors allege he was photographed decades ago appearing to fondle young girls.
The newly unsealed document says he was clothed in two images in which he allegedly touched naked girls.
According to the New York Post, one photo allegedly shows a girl exposed and sitting on his lap as he touched her. In the other, Markle is reportedly lying on a bed with a nude girl sprawled in front of him.
Investigators believe Markle was in his 30s or 40s when the photographs were taken, suggesting they may date back to before Meghan was born or when she was very young.
The Justice Department previously said Markle allegedly kept “sexually explicit photographs of himself with prepubescent girls.”
The images Ragland viewed were reportedly among materials recovered from storage units Markle rented in the Los Angeles area for nearly two decades.
Authorities searched the units after a witness signed an affidavit alleging Markle had child sexual abuse material in his home in the Philippines and had rented a storage unit in Los Angeles.
Placed under house arrest
Following his arrest, Markle appeared in court and was placed under house arrest at Maravida Senior Living in Lakeland, Fla., where he had initially been detained.
He is “accused of possessing child sexual abuse material, including photographs depicting himself with minor girls,” First Assistant U.S. 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.”
If found guilty, Markle could face a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.
A date has not been set for his arraignment, which will take place in California.
FBI was aware of allegations in October
Last month, the FBI said it was aware of the allegations against Markle and would provide support, as appropriate, to authorities in the Philippines. It also said it would “investigate any related allegations of federal violations of U.S. law.”
The Duchess of Sussex said in a statement that she was “deeply distressed” by the allegations against her father. She also referenced a letter she said London’s Metropolitan Police received in 2018 that was subsequently shared with her.
“I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications’ distortion over the years, any distance from my father and my choice to not allow him to have contact with our children, was for one reason: to protect them,” Meghan said in her statement.
“I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families,” she added.
“Although the breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine, my sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children.”