Controversial online influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan face 38 additional criminal charges issued by Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service as they remain in U.S. federal custody fighting extradition to the United Kingdom.
The new allegations against the 39-year-old elder brother include 19 counts involving indecent images of a child and extreme pornography, along with seven additional counts of rape, three counts of sex trafficking, and three counts of assault. Tristan Tate, 38, faces one count of sexual assault, two counts of rape, and three counts of sex trafficking related to four accusers, with alleged incidents occurring between July 2010 and August 2017.
The brothers appeared before a federal judge in Miami wearing prison uniforms and restraints, confirming their understanding of their legal rights as their defense team pledged to challenge the extradition attempt.
Read more about this topic: Andrew and Tristan Tate to contest UK extradition amid sexual offense charges (with video)
Unsealed documents from British law enforcement outline severe allegations of physical abuse and sexual assault, detailing claims of violent behavior toward multiple women. Defense attorney Joseph D. McBride publicly denied all charges outside the courthouse, characterizing the proceedings as politically motivated and estimating that a final decision regarding their potential transfer to the UK could take approximately two months, says The NY Post.
The pair, who hold dual U.S. and British citizenship, were taken into custody in Florida following an international arrest warrant and are currently held in federal custody ahead of their next hearing. In addition to the broad set of charges levied by British authorities, the brothers remain under criminal investigation in Romania, where they have primarily resided since 2016, regarding separate allegations of human trafficking, rape, and organized financial crime.
The ultimate determination on their extradition will rest with the U.S. Department of State.
