FBI Arrests Florida Man Over Alleged Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

November 7, 2026 | By Semahegn Nigatu

An 82-year-old Florida man has been arrested and charged with possessing child sexual abuse material, including photographs allegedly depicting him with prepubescent girls, following an FBI investigation into two storage units in the Los Angeles area.

Thomas Wayne Markle, of Lakeland, Florida, faces one count of possession of child pornography, according to a federal criminal complaint announced by the US Department of Justice.

FBI agents seized approximately 78 items, including photographic slides, film negatives and books containing suspected child sexual abuse material, from the two storage units. Markle had rented both facilities since 2008, with his most recent payments made through automatic payments last month.

According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, authorities began investigating in October 2026 after receiving information that suspected child sexual abuse material had been discovered among Markle's possessions in the Philippines. Investigators also interviewed another individual who disclosed that Markle rented a storage unit in the Los Angeles area. Information from the first individual subsequently led agents to a second unit.

Following searches authorised by judicial warrants, FBI agents recovered the materials from both facilities. The affidavit describes two images showing an adult man, identified by a witness as Markle, with nude prepubescent girls. Another image depicts a nude prepubescent girl in a room that appeared to be part of a motel chain in the Philippines. Additional photographs allegedly showed Markle with children in various stages of undress.

Markle was expected to make his initial appearance before the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Tampa.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the arrest followed an investigation involving FBI offices in Los Angeles and Tampa, as well as law enforcement representatives in Mexico, Manila and the Marshall Islands.

First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said prosecutors would pursue the case under federal law, describing the allegations as serious.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorneys Daniel H. Weiner, Kevin J. Butler and Kathy Yu.

If convicted, Markle faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

The FBI is investigating the case. The criminal complaint contains allegations, and Markle is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

Source: FSX Business News