At a Glance
- Oren and Alon Alexander were hit with an additional sexual-abuse count on Monday
- The indictment says the incident happened aboard a Bahamian cruise ship in January 2012
- All three brothers have pleaded not guilty to every charge; jury selection starts January 20
- Why it matters: Prosecutors say the siblings ran a decade-long scheme targeting dozens of women
Real-estate brokers Oren Alexander, 37, and his twin, Alon Alexander, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a new federal count added to an 11-count indictment that already alleged a sweeping sex-trafficking conspiracy. The superseding indictment, filed in federal court, charges both men with sexual abuse by physical incapacitation.
Prosecutors claim that around January 2012 the twins performed a sexual act with a woman “while she was physically incapable of declining participation.” The alleged assault happened aboard “a Bahamian flagged cruise ship which departed from and arrived in the United States.”
The fresh charge joins an existing 11-count indictment against the twins and their older brother, Tal Alexander, 38. Prosecutors say the trio conspired for roughly ten years to drug, sexually assault and rape dozens of women in Miami, New York, the Hamptons and other high-end locales.
The Alexander Brothers
- Tal Alexander and Oren Alexander sell luxury real estate in Miami and New York City
- Alon Alexander is an executive at a private security company owned by the family
- All three men pleaded not guilty to every count
- They remain in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in New York City
According to the indictment, the brothers coordinated assaults in advance, dangling luxury experiences, travel and accommodations to lure women. Victims were sometimes raped and sexually assaulted by multiple men, including one or more of the Alexanders, prosecutors say.
Marc Agnifilo, a lawyer representing the brothers, declined to comment Tuesday.
Tuesday’s Courtroom Exchange
Most of the hearing focused on pre-trial logistics:
- The wording of the jury questionnaire
- Whether some alleged victims could testify under pseudonyms to protect their identities
Judge Valerie Caproni grew exasperated while both sides debated wording of a jury question, saying, “I think most people feel that if a guy puts his hand on a girl where she doesn’t want it, that’s sexual assault.”
Defense attorney Teny Geragos complained that prosecutors were slow to turn over evidence, including videos and photos from witnesses and co-conspirators.
Prosecutors said several FBI agents are assigned to the case and they are doing their best.
Judge Caproni questioned whether the Justice Department should move resources from other high-profile matters to this case, citing the Jeffrey Epstein prosecution as an example.
Parents Defend Their Sons
Shlomi and Orly Alexander, parents of the three men, released a statement:
“Our family has been living with this ordeal since allegations first appeared in civil lawsuits and were widely publicized long before any criminal charges were filed, and the toll has been deeply painful. We believe our sons are innocent and hope that they are judged solely on the evidence presented in court, free from speculation or public narrative.”
Key Dates
- Monday: Oren and Alon Alexander rearrested on the new count
- January 20, 2025: Jury selection begins
- January 26, 2025: Trial starts
The brothers remain behind bars while awaiting trial.
