Andrew Tate, 39, and his brother Tristan, 38, are facing threats and harassment from other inmates while in federal custody in Miami, according to their lawyer, Joe McBride. The controversial influencers, known for their "manosphere" commentary, were arrested by U.S. Marshals on July 18 and are being held in secure housing as they fight extradition to the United Kingdom.
McBride told reporters that the charges against the brothers, which include rape, sex trafficking, and offenses related to indecent images of children and extreme pornography, have made them targets. "The charges have put a target on their back for them to get stabbed, jumped, murdered," McBride said outside the C. Clyde Atkins U.S. Courthouse. He added that inmates refer to the brothers with derogatory language, comparing their situation to that of Jeffrey Epstein.
"There’s a pecking order in jail, it’s very real, and when you come in with those allegations, there’s no excuses," McBride stated. He characterized the child sex abuse allegations as particularly damaging, suggesting they lead to the brothers being viewed as "fair game" and that the public is "greenlighting for them to get murdered in jail."
These allegations are a primary reason for the brothers being placed in solitary confinement, McBride noted, expressing hope for their release. "We hope to get them out."
A federal magistrate judge has scheduled a detention hearing for August 13 to determine whether the brothers can be released on bail while awaiting extradition. This means they will remain in jail for at least two more weeks. McBride acknowledged that securing bail is a "tall climb" due to the presumption against release unless special circumstances are proven.
The Tate brothers, who hold dual U.S. and UK citizenship, did not attend Monday's scheduling hearing but had made a brief court appearance two days after their arrest.
Andrew Tate's X account, which his team updates as he lacks phone access, has stated he is in the jail's special housing unit with no access to commissary, phone calls, or yard time. The account has also claimed his cellmate is a "cannibal."
The brothers are facing a total of 59 criminal charges in the UK. Prosecutors there have stated that the latest charges were brought after an investigation into claims from four additional victims. This legal battle is part of a broader international case that includes criminal prosecutions in Romania over allegations of sex with a minor, trafficking minors, operating an organized crime group, and money laundering. The Tate brothers have denied all allegations, with Andrew Tate's X account characterizing his detention as being held as a "political prisoner."