Alexander Brothers Convicted of Sex Trafficking
Three brothers who were once known for their involvement in the high-end real estate and business world were found guilty in a Manhattan federal courtroom on charges of sweeping sex trafficking crimes in a highly publicized trial that has garnered much media attention and involved testimony from several women who were victims of the crimes. “A federal jury in Manhattan on Monday found former star real estate brokers Oren and Tal Alexander and their brother Alon guilty on all 10 counts of sex trafficking and related crimes,” according to Yahoo! News.
The jury in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York found Tal Alexander, Oren Alexander, and Alon Alexander guilty on several counts of sex trafficking and coercion in a highly publicized trial. The convictions mark a dramatic fall for the three brothers who were once known for brokering several million-dollar deals in the high-end real estate world in markets such as New York and Miami.
Years-long Scheme
Federal prosecutors argued to jurors that the brothers had engaged in a “pattern of abuse” spanning over a decade. The indictment by the government alleged that the brothers targeted women at nightclubs, parties, and social events, then invited them to private events or to luxury homes or trips where the women were assaulted.
Prosecutors argued that the brothers frequently used their luxurious lifestyle to win women’s trust by inviting women to weekends in the Hamptons, ski trips, or high-end parties with wealthy and influential people in attendance. Once isolated from their friends or familiar surroundings, several women testified that they were given drinks that made them disoriented or unconscious before they were assaulted by the brothers.
In some cases, prosecutors said, victims feared the men’s influence in powerful social and business networks.
During the trial, jurors heard testimony from more than a dozen women who described encounters dating back to the late 2000s. Some said they initially believed they were attending glamorous parties or networking events before realizing they had been placed in dangerous situations.
Encounters Were Consensual
Attorneys for the Alexanders admitted that the brothers had fast-paced social lives and often threw parties, but they said the sexual encounters testified to by the accusers were consensual.
The defense attorneys tried to raise doubts about the credibility of the witnesses, citing inconsistencies in their recollections and the time line of the events in question. They claimed that some of the accusations were made years after the events and suggested that the recollections might have been tainted by civil cases and media coverage.
The defense attorneys argued that the government had blown the social behavior of young, wealthy professionals into a criminal conspiracy. “”We believe in our clients’ innocence and we’re not going to stop fighting until we prevail, and we believe that we will one day prevail,” defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo said outside the courthouse,” according to NPR News.
Courtesy of raezer (Flickr CC0)None of the brothers testified during the trial.
Emotional Moments
The verdict came after several days of jury deliberations. When the decision was read in court, observers reported a tense atmosphere as the foreperson announced “guilty” repeatedly across multiple counts.
Many of the accusers who attended the trial hugged each other and cried as the verdict was read. Prosecutors commended the women who testified, saying they “deserved praise” because they “talked about horrific experiences under difficult cross-examination in court.”
Legal experts say this case represents a pattern of federal prosecutors relying on federal law related to sex trafficking to charge defendants who used coercion, drugs, or manipulation, even though the victims went willingly.
Sex trafficking charges under federal law apply to victims who are transported or recruited and then subjected to force, fraud, or coercion.
Real Estate to Criminal Conviction
Before their arrests, Tal and Oren Alexander were widely known in luxury real estate circles. They built reputations as high-profile brokers representing multimillion-dollar properties and affluent clients.
Their brother Alon Alexander worked in the private security industry and occasionally appeared alongside them at social events.
Those claims eventually triggered a federal investigation that led to criminal charges.
Authorities said dozens of women ultimately came forward with allegations against the brothers, though the criminal case focused on a smaller group whose testimony formed the core of the prosecution.
Severe Sentences
The brothers now face potentially decades in prison. Several of the charges carry mandatory minimum sentences under federal law, and the most serious counts could result in life imprisonment.
Sentencing is expected later this year.
Legal analysts say the punishment will depend on a number of factors, including the number of victims involved, the severity of the offenses and federal sentencing guidelines.
Lasting Implications
Sexual assault victims’ rights advocates say the case has significant implications that could be felt in the future, especially because the defendants were rich and moved in the highest circles.
The advocates say the verdict proves that rich and powerful people can still face the law.
The case has also shed light on how abuse can happen in settings that seem glamorous and elite.
For the women who testified in the trial, the verdict marked the end of the lengthy legal process that began with accusations years ago.
For the Alexander brothers, the conviction is a stunning turn of events that has changed the image of the luxury real estate moguls from celebrated figures to convicted criminals with the prospect of spending much of their lives in prison.
By David Loran Jr
A successful Editor-in-Chief, journalist for over 6 years, writing about important topics that are going on within the U.S. and beyond.
Sources:
Yahoo! News: Star real estate brothers convicted of sex trafficking
NPR News: Alexander brothers convicted of sex trafficking in Manhattan federal court
Featured Image Courtesy of Brian Turner’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of raezer’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
