Andrew and Tristan Tate appeared in federal court in Miami as the UK seeks their extradition on rape and human trafficking charges. US Magistrate Judge Lauren Louis said the brothers are being held under a provisional arrest warrant from the UK and the extradition process is currently underway.
The next hearing was postponed to July 27, while lawyer Joseph McBride said he does not expect the brothers to be released. "There will be a series of hearings," McBride said, arguing that his clients are innocent.
Brought to court in gray prison uniforms and handcuffs, the Tate brothers responded "Yes, Your Honor" after the judge reminded them of their rights. Judge Louis explained that this is not a criminal trial but an extradition process, and that the brothers are not required to attend every hearing.
The brothers were detained in Miami over the weekend. British authorities have filed 38 additional charges related to four new victims. According to the indictment, 39-year-old Andrew Tate faces seven new counts of rape, as well as human trafficking for sexual exploitation and possession of indecent images of children. 38-year-old Tristan Tate is charged with two counts of rape and arranging human trafficking for sexual exploitation. The total number of charges has risen to 59; the alleged offences took place between July 2010 and August 2017.
Malcolm McHaffie, head of the Crown Prosecution Service's Special Crime Division, said: "We have decided to prosecute Andrew and Tristan Tate for rape, arranging human trafficking for sexual exploitation, and offences relating to indecent images of children."
Deputy Chief Constable Karena Thomas, who leads the major crime unit for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, said: "I want to make it absolutely clear that there is no place in our society for male violence against women and girls. We will continue to work tirelessly to support victims and investigate all reports made to us."
The Tate brothers, who hold dual US and UK citizenship, deny all charges. They are also under investigation in Romania since December 2022.
Andrew Tate, who has a large online following for his views on masculinity and wealth, has previously described himself as a "misogynist." He also faces a civil lawsuit in the UK brought by four women alleging physical and sexual abuse. Tate denies those claims as well, with his lawyers arguing all sexual activity was consensual.
