Alexander brothers, luxury real estate brokers, indicted on federal sex trafficking charges in New York
NEW YORK -- Real estate brokers Oren and Tal Alexander and their brother, Alon, have been indicted on sex trafficking charges in New York.
Officials from the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York held a news conference Wednesday to announce the charges. They said the brothers ran a sex trafficking scheme and allegedly assaulted dozens of women between 2010 and 2021, dating back to when the men were in high school, in some cases.
"The defendants used their wealth and positions to create and facilitate opportunities to sexually assault women," U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams announced. "In particular, Oren and Tal Alexander used their prominent positions in the real estate industry to induce women to come to events and parties. At those parties, and sometimes afterwards, the women were sexually assaulted by one or more of the defendants."
"We will not allow this type of alleged behavior to go unimpeded. Predators forcing victims into sexual acts cannot and will not be tolerated," FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Dennehy added.
Oren and Tal Alexander are the founders of the luxury real estate firm Official, which has offices in Manhattan and Miami Beach, according to its website. Alon Alexander is Oren's twin and worked at the family's private security firm, authorities said.
Williams said the brothers arranged domestic and international trips where they carried out their alleged crimes, and recruited women by providing things like travel, luxury accommodations and access to exclusive events. He said they met their alleged victims in person, over social media, and on dating apps.
"At times, the defendants hand-picked the women to invite. At other times, they used paid party promoters to source women for them," said Williams.
Williams said the brothers and other men gave the women drugs, including cocaine, mushrooms and GHB, which allegedly "caused some of the women to be physically unable to fight back or to escape."
"Then, as alleged, the Alexander brothers -- sometimes acting alone, sometimes with each other and sometimes with other men -- forcibly raped and assaulted the women," said Williams.
Williams added the brothers also carried out other alleged attacks "by chance," at bars, clubs and social events.
"These assaults allegedly had many of the same hallmarks as the rapes that occurred at group events -- isolated locations, drugged victims, force and physical restraint," said Williams.
Williams called the alleged crimes "heinous" and encouraged anyone with additional information to contact his office at 212-384-2700 or the FBI at 1-800-CALLFBI or email at alexander-case@fbi.gov.
Williams said the brothers will be transported up to New York to face charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.
CBS News New York has reached out to the attorneys for each brother. Both Tal and Alon's lawyers said they have no comment. A lawyer for Oren says he's innocent and that "the evidence will show that neither he nor his brothers ever committed a crime."
Alexander brothers accused in 3 alleged assaults in South Florida
The Alexander brothers were arrested in Miami and face separate state felony charges along with their cousin, Ohad Fisherman, who has not yet been arrested. They were denied bond until a hearing on Friday.
Officials in Miami Beach held a briefing on the multistate investigation Wednesday.
Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle discussed three separate incidents with three different victims that occurred in December 2016, October 2017 and October 2021.
Rundle said in the first incident, a victim said Alon invited her to attend a barbecue in New York along with Oren and Fisherman. The victim alleges she was raped by both Alon and Oren.
"The victim stated she recalled Alon and Oren Alexander, the two brothers, arguing. Arguing about who was going to rape her first," Rundle said.
In the second incident, Rundle said Oren invited the second victim to his apartment, gave her a glass of wine and directed her toward the bedroom. The victim alleges she began to feel like "she was no longer in control of her own body," and Oren raped her while she felt she couldn't move or speak.
Rundle said Oren is also accused of raping another victim in the third incident after inviting her and several friends to his house.
"I want to say this and I know I say this on behalf of everyone in law enforcement and everyone who was involved in this case: We all want to thank the three brave women who courageously came forward and reported these incidents – these crimes – thank you for disclosing what happened to you and allowing us in law enforcement to help you account, help you hold these men accountable for what they did. And I also want to thank the support system that these women had, who had been holding their hands, giving them a shoulder to cry on all these years and anything else they needed to rebuild their confidence, to rebuild their lives. These women are strong and resilient and they are an example to anyone else out there who has experienced sexual violence or has been a witness to it or knows someone – we want everyone out there to realize that a victim of sexual crimes is what we in law enforcement do. We're here for you," Rundle said.
