Influencer Andrew Tate, known for his controversial presence in the “manosphere,” and his brother Tristan Tate have been detained in Miami following rape and sex trafficking charges filed against them by the U.K. government.
Malcolm McHaffie, head of the U.K. Special Crime Division at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), announced on Saturday, July 18, “We have decided to prosecute Andrew and Tristan Tate for further offenses including rape, arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation, and offenses relating to indecent images of a child.” He added that these decisions were made after receiving additional evidence from Bedfordshire Police, bringing the total number of alleged victims to seven.
The CPS confirmed reports that Andrew, 39, and Tristan, 38, were arrested by U.S. Marshals in Miami on Saturday, just before a bareknuckle boxing event they were set to host.
The Associated Press noted that the Tates are expected to appear in a federal court early next week to begin the process of extradition to the U.K.
Getty Images/Daniel MIHAILESCU / AFP
According to the Crown Prosecution Service, prosecutors have decided to pursue 21 previous charges along with new ones involving four additional alleged victims. These incidents are said to have occurred between July 2010 and August 2017 in London.
Andrew, a right-wing conservative figure, is now facing “seven further counts of rape, three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation, and three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm,” as stated by the CPS. He has also been charged with 19 other alleged offenses involving indecent images of a child and extreme pornography.
Tristan is facing charges for one count of sexual assault, two counts of rape, and three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation.
McHaffie emphasized on Saturday, “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and these defendants have the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
He concluded, “The CPS has requested the extradition of the Tates from the US. They have been arrested and await extradition proceedings to the UK.”
Us Weekly has reached out to the Tates for comment.
Their attorney, Joseph McBride, told The Associated Press on Saturday that he had not yet spoken to his clients but expressed confidence that the charges were baseless, describing them as “filth and slander.” He added that the Tates deny any wrongdoing.
“They’re pulling out all the stops to make sure these guys never get their day in court,” McBride claimed. “We are confident that once a competent judge sees the facts, and once the Department of Justice confronts this egregious abuse of its own authority, Andrew and Tristan Tate will walk free. America does not do Britain’s political dirty work.”
The Tate brothers, who have dual U.S. and British citizenship, have been previously involved in international legal cases. A separate sex trafficking case in Romania collapsed amid claims of legal and procedural issues.
Andrew first gained public attention as a contestant on the U.K. version of Big Brother before becoming known for his controversial online content in the manosphere, which has faced criticism for being sexist, racist, misogynistic, and offensive. Both Tates are vocal supporters of President Donald Trump.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is a human trafficking victim, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
