Oren Alexander, 37, center, and his twin brother, Alon, center-right, speak to their attorney Joel Denaro during their bond hearing at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in Miami, Fla. Oren, alongside his twin brother Alon Alexander, have been charged with multiple state and federal crimes, including sex trafficking and rape.
MATIAS J. OCNER
mocner@miamiherald.com
The New York trial of the Alexander brothers — accused of sexually assaulting dozens of women in multiple cities, including in their hometown of Miami — is nearing its conclusion after weeks of testimony.
Closing arguments in the siblings’ federal sex trafficking case began Tuesday and are expected to continue on Wednesday, reports say.
Siblings Alon Alexander, Oren Alexander and Tal Alexander attended Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School in Northeast Miami-Dade and are known for their ties to luxury real estate. They are accused of sexually assaulting dozens of women in different cities. Each faces up to life in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years if convicted.
Once the trial is over, Alon and Oren will also have to face three state rape charges in Miami, including one that stems from an alleged assault at Alon’s Miami Beach condo on New Year’s Eve in 2016
READ MORE: Alexander brothers’ N.Y. trial to begin on sex charges stretching to Miami Beach
In a closing argument that stretched more than three hours, Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Jones methodically revisited the testimony of 11 women who told jurors they were sexually assaulted by at least one of the brothers, according to Courthouse News Service.
Jones argued that the accounts, though delivered by women who “never have met each other and live different lives,” shared what he called “one horrific thing in common: they were raped by these men,” the Associated Press reported.
Courthouse News Service described Jones’ summation as a “final pitch” to convict, in which he outlined what the government characterized as a years-long pattern. Prosecutors allege the brothers used their wealth, social status and access to exclusive events to entice young women to private homes, yachts, mansions and luxury trips — sometimes paying for flights and high-end accommodations — before drugging and assaulting them.
“The defendants had a playbook,” Jones said, according to Courthouse News Service, describing the use of “parties, boats, mansions, travel and accommodations ” to lure women into isolated settings.
The government claims the brothers used force and drugs to incapacitate victims. Several women testified they believed their drinks had been spiked. Jurors were shown videos and text messages that prosecutors say corroborate the allegations. According to Courthouse News Service, one video included a statement attributed to Oren Alexander: “I’m serious. I drug bitches.”
But Alon Alexander’s Miami-based defense lawyer Howard Srebnick argued that while his client should be “embarrassed” by the language he used the “talk doesn’t constitute a crime,” Srebnick said, according to the AP.
Miami Herald
Milena Malaver covers crime and breaking news for the Miami Herald. She was born and raised in Miami-Dade and is a graduate of Florida International University. She joined the Herald shortly after graduating.