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Just weeks before a federal jury is set to hear allegations of a two-decade sex-trafficking scheme, federal prosecutors have expanded their case against the Alexander brothers, charging two of them with sexually abusing a woman who prosecutors say was physically incapable of saying no.
According to a newly filed superseding indictment, twin brothers Oren and Alon Alexander are accused of committing the assault in January 2012 aboard a Bahamian-flagged cruise ship that departed from and returned to the United States, a charge added as all three brothers remain in custody awaiting trial in New York.
The new charge marks a significant escalation in a case that has steadily expanded since the brothers were first arrested in December 2024, with prosecutors filing multiple superseding indictments as the case has moved closer to trial.
Prosecutors have accused Oren and Alon Alexander, along with their older brother Tal Alexander, of conspiring for more than a decade to drug and sexually assault women in locations including Miami, New York and the Hamptons — allegations the brothers have repeatedly denied.
CRUISE SHIP CHAOS MOUNTS AS DEATHS, CRIMES ON BOARD SHATTER ILLUSIONS OF SAFETY AT SEA, EXPERTS WARN
Oren Alexander, center, and his twin brother, Alon, center-right, speak to their attorney, Joel Denaro, during their bond hearing after being charged with multiple state and federal crimes, including sex trafficking and rape, at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Miami. (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald via AP, Pool)
According to previous court filings, the brothers and their alleged co-conspirators are accused of luring women with promises of luxury travel, accommodations and access to high-end social events before allegedly incapacitating and sexually assaulting them, sometimes involving multiple men. Earlier filings also included allegations involving additional victims, including at least one minor.
Tal and Oren Alexander are prominent luxury real estate brokers who co-founded the firm “Official” after rising through the ranks at Douglas Elliman, while their brother Alon Alexander worked in the family’s private security business. Prosecutors have alleged the brothers used their wealth, industry status and access to exclusive events to attract women to trips, parties and dates before the alleged assaults occurred.
Defense attorneys for Oren and Alon Alexander have moved to dismiss the new charge, arguing the indictment is legally flawed because it does not allege the brothers knowingly engaged in sex with a woman they knew was physically incapacitated, according to amNY.
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A display showing images of Alon, Oren and Tal Alexander prior to a news conference in New York on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. Luxury real estate brokers Oren and Tal Alexander and their brother Alon were arrested and charged with sex-trafficking by federal prosecutors in New York. (Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“This is a fatal flaw requiring dismissal of the indictment,” the attorneys wrote in a joint court filing cited by amNY, arguing prosecutors are improperly charging the same alleged January 2012 incident under different statutes.
During a court appearance, Zach Intrater, an attorney for Oren Alexander, criticized the timing of the new charge, telling the judge, “These men’s lives depend on this,” according to amNY. Judge Valerie Caproni rejected that argument, responding, “These are all serious charges,” the outlet reported.
Prosecutors acknowledged in court filings that the word “knowingly” was omitted from the indictment and said they intend to seek another superseding indictment to correct the issue, amNY reported.
FBI WEIGHING STATE OR FEDERAL CHARGES AGAINST 16-YEAR-OLD IN ANNA KEPNER CRUISE SHIP HOMICIDE CASE: LAWYER
Real estate brokers Tal Alexander and Oren Alexander at their home on Miami Beach on Feb. 1, 2019. (Patrick Farrell/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Caproni has also ruled on several other pretrial disputes, including a dispute over whether some alleged victims can testify anonymously — a request she granted over defense objections, according to amNY. Prosecutors have said the trial could stretch into late February or early March.
Court records show the brothers are being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in New York City, with jury selection set to begin Jan. 20 and the trial scheduled to start Jan. 26.
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Fox News Digital reached out to the Alexanders’ attorneys for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Sarah Rumpf-Whitten and Julia Bonavita contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.