The high-profile social media influencers Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan Tate were arrested on Saturday in Miami by U.S. Marshals, who took them into custody on a sealed warrant. The brothers, who have been at the center of a controversy surrounding their online presence and alleged involvement in criminal activities, are now facing extradition proceedings.
According to a Justice Department spokesperson, the arrests were made in accordance with treaties and law enforcement agreements governing Justice Department extraditions. The spokesperson did not provide further details about the charges or the basis for the warrant.
The brothers were arrested in connection with a U.K. police investigation into alleged sexual offenses dating back to 2012. Bedfordshire Police said the new charges bring the total against the brothers to 59, with Andrew Tate facing 42 charges and Tristan Tate facing 17.
The alleged crimes span from 2010 to 2017 and involve four additional alleged victims, bringing the total number of alleged victims in the U.K. case to seven. Prosecutors said the charges against Andrew Tate now include rape, arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and offenses involving alleged indecent images of a child and extreme pornography.
Tristan Tate also faces additional rape, sexual assault, and trafficking charges. The brothers are expected to make an initial appearance in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida early next week.
Andrew and Tristan Tate have denied wrongdoing and have previously denied criminal allegations filed against them in Romania and the United Kingdom. The brothers, who hold dual U.S. and British citizenship, rose to fame as "manosphere" influencers, building millions of followers with content promoting hypermasculinity and male non-monogamy.
Assistant Chief Constable Karena Thomas of Bedfordshire Police said investigators had worked closely with prosecutors and international law enforcement agencies throughout the case. "There is no place for male violence against women and girls, and we will continue to work tirelessly to support victims and investigate complaints made to us," Thomas said.
