Romania indicts brothers on sex trafficking and money laundering charges
British authorities have 60 days from Andrew and Tristan Tate’s July 18 arrest in Miami to file a formal extradition request. That period ends Sept. 16 as the brothers remain held at the Federal Detention Center in Miami.
The Miami arrests followed the filing of new charges by British authorities. Andrew Tate, 39, faces seven counts of rape, three counts of sex trafficking, three counts of assault and 19 charges relating to indecent images.
Tristan Tate, 38, faces one count of sexual assault, two counts of rape and three counts of sex trafficking. British authorities said all the charges stem from events between 2010 and 2017.
The brothers face 59 criminal charges in all, including rape, human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Romania separately indicted them on sex trafficking and money laundering charges on Sept. 4. They have denied the allegations against them.
The pair hold dual citizenship in the United States and Great Britain. They rose to prominence as kickboxers before becoming social media influencers in the “manosphere.” They are self-proclaimed misogynists.
Prosecutors argued that social media posts in which the brothers bragged about their wealth and multiple passports showed they had the ability to evade authorities. Defense lawyers said the British allegations are years old and have not resulted in convictions, and that the brothers’ claims about their wealth were exaggerated.
Florida U.S. Magistrate Judge Lauren Louis denied the brothers’ request for release pending extradition after an Aug. 27 hearing. Louis said they failed to prove that they are not a flight risk or a danger to the community, calling them a “quintessential flight risk” with “an exceptional capacity to flee the jurisdiction.”
Joseph D. McBride, the brothers’ lawyer, said they disagree with the decision but respect the court.
“Release would acquit them of nothing. It would simply allow them to prepare their defense,” McBride said.
“For fifty-three days, Britain has had the benefit of time. Andrew and Tristan have paid for it with their liberty. On Sept. 16, that time expires. The process has been the punishment. Now produce the evidence,” McBride said.
At the hearing, the brothers argued that jail conditions were “so dire as to warrant release,” according to the judge’s ruling. They said they receive one hour per weekday of outside time, their beds are too short, they have no access to commissary and they are losing weight. Louis said in the order that prosecutors said the brothers had gained weight.
Matthew Jury, the attorney representing four British women bringing civil suits against Andrew Tate alleging rape and assault, also addressed Louis’s order.
“The Tates deny wrongdoing and are entitled to due process,” Jury told CNN in a statement. “The women whose allegations have waited years to be heard are entitled to it, too.”