A video has surfaced showing controversial influencer Andrew Tate, who faces serious accusations, trying to pass his cell phone to a bodyguard during his arrest in Florida. Andrew, 39, was being detained alongside his brother Tristan, 38, by U.S. Marshals when the phone transfer went awry—the bodyguard dropped it.
It’s currently unknown if U.S. Marshals retrieved the phone after Tate’s arrest in Miami this past Saturday.
The Tates, part of a group often criticized for their troubling views, were taken into custody following a request from British authorities related to charges of rape and human trafficking.
Andrew has recently been hit with seven new rape charges by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), adding to existing accusations involving sex trafficking and indecent images of minors.
Tristan faces two additional rape charges and three counts related to aiding human trafficking with the intent of sexual exploitation.
Before their arrest, Andrew was already facing ten separate charges, including three counts of rape and two counts of human trafficking. Tristan had eleven charges against him as well.
Having gained notoriety for promoting misogynistic content aimed at young men, the brothers now confront a staggering total of 59 charges across seven alleged victims.
Since 2016, they’ve resided in Romania, where they are embroiled in other criminal investigations concerning similar issues, including organized crime and money laundering.
The Romanian authorities have claimed they cannot extradite the brothers to the UK until their domestic case concludes. However, upon learning that the brothers had traveled to the U.S., British prosecutors decided to act.
A formal extradition request will now be made to U.S. authorities by the UK.
As dual nationals of both the UK and the U.S., the Tates can contest the extradition in court.
Their legal team suggests that the arrests stem from political motivations, asserting that “low-level Justice Department officials” are to blame, implying a lack of higher governmental approval.
Attorney Joseph D. McBride expressed confidence that, under a fair judicial review, the Tates would be exonerated, highlighting a perceived distinction in political dealings between the U.S. and the UK.
Both brothers have consistently denied any wrongdoing related to the charges facing them in both the UK and Romania.
