Romanian Prosecutors Indict Andrew and Tristan Tate on Charges Including Minor Trafficking and Money Laundering
Romanian authorities have filed a new indictment against social media personalities Andrew and Tristan Tate, accusing them of trafficking minors, sexual exploitation, and money laundering, while the brothers remain detained in the United States awaiting extradition.
Romanian prosecutors announced Friday that they have indicted Andrew Tate, 39, and his brother Tristan Tate, 38, on multiple charges that include trafficking minors, sexual exploitation, money laundering and witness tampering. The indictment follows an investigation by the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) into alleged crimes committed between 2012 and 2021 in the United Kingdom and Romania.
According to the indictment, Andrew Tate recruited a 15-year-old girl, coerced her into producing explicit material and engaging in video-chat activities, and used physical aggression to maintain control. Prosecutors also allege that he had sexual relations with another 15-year-old at two Romanian properties between December 2020 and mid-2021. Tristan Tate is charged with complicity, accused of managing the girl’s video-chat accounts, monitoring her activity and also resorting to physical aggression.
The brothers are currently detained at a federal detention center in Miami while fighting extradition to the United Kingdom. Their attorney, Eugen Constantin Vidineac, said the new indictment does not determine guilt and that the defense will scrutinize the charges for evidential and procedural deficiencies. He also warned that continued detention could limit the brothers’ ability to prepare their defense.
Prosecutors claim the alleged criminal activity generated more than $1.25 million, which was used to purchase four cars valued at the same amount. The authorities intend to seek confiscation of the vehicles.
The Tate brothers face a total of 59 charges in the United Kingdom, including allegations of rape, controlling prostitution and facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation. Andrew Tate was previously charged with offenses related to indecent images of a child and extreme pornography.
The case marks the latest step in a series of legal proceedings against the brothers, who have lived in Romania since 2016 and have been under investigation for human trafficking and organized crime allegations.