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Andrew and Tristan Tate, the influencer brothers known for their social media empire promoting wealth and male dominance, were arrested in Miami on Saturday after UK prosecutors brought further rape and sex trafficking charges against them. The arrest was carried out by the U.S. Marshals Service on a sealed warrant, according to a spokesperson for the agency. The brothers are expected to appear in Miami's federal court early next week, as reported by a person familiar with the matter.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in the UK announced the new charges, which relate to four additional victims, bringing the total number of alleged victims in the case to seven. The charges stem from events alleged to have taken place between July 2010 and August 2017.

Coverage comparison

The arrest was reported by multiple outlets, with some variations in detail. ABC Australia reported that UK prosecutors had brought further charges of rape and sex trafficking, and noted that the brothers have denied wrongdoing. The Guardian reported that the charges were not immediately announced, as the warrant was sealed, and detailed the specific counts against each brother. The Jerusalem Post also covered the arrest, noting the CPS had previously charged the brothers with 21 counts in relation to three victims, and that the new charges added an additional 38 counts. The Hindu reported that the brothers were taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service on a sealed warrant and that they were sought on charges of abusing women in an area north of London, where they grew up.

Key claims

  • Andrew Tate, 39, faces seven further counts of rape, three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation, three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and 19 additional charges for offences relating to indecent images of a child and extreme pornography, as reported by The Guardian and the CPS.
  • Tristan Tate, 38, faces one count of sexual assault, two counts of rape, and three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation, according to the CPS, as reported by The Guardian.
  • The brothers have consistently denied all wrongdoing, as reported by ABC Australia and the Jerusalem Post. Their attorney, Joseph McBride, called the new charges "filth and slander" and said he was confident the extradition request would be denied, as reported by ABC Australia and The Hindu.
  • The case against the Tate brothers in Romania has not been closed, according to ABC Australia.
  • The brothers were arrested on an extradition request from the UK, as reported by The Guardian and the Jerusalem Post.

Perspectives

Joseph McBride, attorney for the Tate brothers

McBride called the new charges "filth and slander" and suggested they were intended to derail defamation lawsuits filed by the brothers in the US. He expressed confidence that a competent judge would see the facts and that the brothers would walk free, alleging an abuse of authority by the Department of Justice.

Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)

The CPS, through Malcolm McHaffie, head of its special crime division, said the charging decisions followed receipt of a further file of evidence from Bedfordshire Police and that the total number of alleged victims in the case is seven. The CPS has brought a total of 38 additional charges against the brothers in relation to the four new victims.