Alexander Brothers Face Sentencing in New York on Federal Sex Trafficking Convictions

Three brothers who worked in luxury real estate are set to learn their punishment on Tuesday in a New York City courtroom, seven months after a jury convicted them in a sex trafficking case involving the drugging and rape of women.

Federal prosecutors are asking for life sentences for Oren Alexander, Alon Alexander and their brother Tal Alexander. Oren and Alon were both powerful real estate brokers. Attorneys for the three men, who maintain they are innocent, want each to receive a 15-year sentence.

In March, the brothers were found guilty on 10 counts, among them conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking by force. The trial featured testimony from 11 women, who described being lured, drugged and sexually assaulted over a span of years. Six of those women were named in the indictment.

In a sentencing memo, prosecutors from the Southern District of New York said more than 70 women have come forward with allegations of abuse. They accused the brothers of using their wealth, influence and connections to find and target victims.

According to prosecutors at trial, the brothers raped women after promising them parties and trips. One woman testified that she lost control of her body after having a drink with Alon Alexander at a New York City club. She said that when she woke up, the two were naked on a bed. She testified that she kept trying to get up and he kept pushing her back down.

She told the court that when she said she did not want to have sex with him, he replied, "You already did."

In their sentencing submission, lawyers for the brothers conceded that the men sometimes behaved insensitively toward women. They flatly denied, however, that any of the brothers had raped or sexually assaulted anyone.

The defense argued at trial that the sex was consensual and suggested the women were motivated in part by money. "All the stories were rehearsed," Deanna Paul, the attorney for Tal Alexander, said in her closing argument. "They're looking for money."