Context:

Federal prosecutors have expanded sex trafficking charges against Oren, Tal, and Alon Alexander to include six victims, one of whom is an underage girl, with the scheme allegedly dating back to 2009. The brothers, previously prominent in luxury real estate, are accused of using their status to lure, drug, and assault women over the past two decades. In addition to federal charges, Oren and Alon face state charges in Florida, while Tal does not. Their defense attorneys argue the charges are overly broad and lack evidence of qualifying sex trafficking conduct under federal law. The brothers, who have pleaded not guilty, await trial in a federal detention center in Brooklyn, with the trial scheduled for January.

Dive Deeper:

• Oren and Tal Alexander, known for their success in luxury real estate, and their brother Alon have been indicted on expanded federal sex trafficking charges involving six victims, including an underage girl. This indictment alleges the scheme began in 2009, utilizing force, fraud, or coercion, and the brothers used their influence to exploit and assault victims.

• The brothers previously dominated real estate markets in Miami and New York, reaching high ranks by brokering record-breaking deals, such as a $240 million penthouse sale. Despite their real estate success, they are currently facing serious criminal charges that have severely impacted their professional standing.

• The indictment accuses the Alexanders of orchestrating sexual assaults by luring women with promises of luxury travel and accommodations, often drugging them beforehand. Victims were sometimes assaulted by multiple men, including the brothers, and later offered gifts to maintain their silence.

• Defense attorneys for the brothers criticize the new charges as redundant and lacking legal substance, arguing the government's case does not meet the federal criteria for sex trafficking. They perceive the charges as an attempt by prosecutors to fit a narrative without substantial evidence.

• The investigation, ongoing since their arrest in Florida, has shaken the real estate industry and led to multiple federal and state charges. Oren and Alon face additional state charges in Florida related to separate assaults, while Tal is not charged at the state level. Their trial is anticipated to commence in January under Judge Valerie E. Caproni in Manhattan federal court.