Luxury real estate brothers Tal and Oren Alexander arrested on federal sex trafficking charges
The brothers allegedly conspired to 'sexually assault and rape dozens of women.'
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Three brothers, including two who are prominent luxury real estate agents in New York City, are accused of working together and with others to repeatedly drug, sexually assault and rape dozens of female victims for more than a decade.
Real estate agents Tal and Oren Alexander and their brother, Alon, were arrested in Miami on Wednesday morning on federal charges out of Manhattan.
For well over a decade, Alon, Oren and Tal Alexander conspired to "repeatedly and violently drug, sexually assault and rape dozens of women," according to an indictment unsealed Wednesday in New York after the prominent real estate brothers were arrested in Miami.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams announced the charges during a press conference Wednesday afternoon, calling the alleged crimes "heinous."
According to the indictment, from at least 2010 to 2021, the brothers allegedly worked together to drug, sexually assault, and rape dozens of women. Prosecutors say the Alexanders used their positions of influence-Oren and Tal as prominent real estate agents, and Alon as an executive at a family-owned private security firm-to lure victims to events, parties, and luxury trips.
The allegedly "long-running sex trafficking scheme" began in 2010 and relied on "deception, fraud and coercion," with the brothers flaunting their wealth to induce women to attend parties, events and trips where they were then attacked, prosecutors said.
Trips were organized in advance and the brothers allegedly shared photographs of women to make sure they were "sufficiently attractive." The brothers used dating apps or social media to contact them or used party planners as intermediaries, according to the indictment.
The Alexanders also procured drugs, including GHB and cocaine, and would sometimes spike women's drinks before assaulting them, the indictment said. The brothers allegedly held down women and "ignored screams and explicit requests to stop."
The indictment includes two victims, identified only as Victim 1 and Victim 2, and charges the brothers with conspiracy and forcible sex trafficking.
"The Alexander brothers conspired to prey on innocent women, coercing them into sexual acts without their consent," said FBI Assistant Director James Dennehy. He praised the bravery of the victims who came forward, saying their courage made the investigation possible.
Authorities say dozens of women have accused the Alexander brothers of assault, and investigators are looking into possible accomplices.
Federal prosecutors say some of the women needed medical treatment after the fact and court filings say, "Multiple women described being terrified that the Alexander Brothers were going to hurt or even kill them-these victims' only goal in that moment became to survive."
Officials believe the alleged misconduct may have started as far back as high school and hope more victims will come forward. "Bravery can be infectious," Williams said. "When one person speaks out, it often inspires others to do the same."
The brothers began their careers at Douglas Elliman, focusing on the real estate market in New York and Miami. They left and launched their own firm, Official, in 2022.
They had previously been accused in civil lawsuits of various acts of sexual misconduct.
Anyone who believes they may be a victim or has any knowledge is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or email alexander-case@fbi.gov. All contact will be kept confidential.
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