Federal agents took Thomas Markle Sr. into custody Friday at a senior living home in Lakeland Florida. He is Meghan Markle's estranged father.

Prosecutors in a California case accuse the 82-year-old of possessing child sexual abuse images. Investigators say a search of storage lockers tied to him turned up explicit pictures involving young girls.

Philippine authorities were already looking at him after material surfaced from his time living in Cebu.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Thursday that local investigators collected about 7500 images plus one video showing alleged abuse of children. He labeled the material deplorable. Ownership of the devices remains unsettled publicly.

Markle has rejected earlier claims of that kind and branded them lies. The overseas probe started after his son Thomas Markle Jr. said he uncovered a large cache of disturbing files at his father's residence.

Meghan Markle had not issued a public reaction to the Florida arrest by the time this story published. A first court appearance is expected in Tampa.