In a significant development in the federal sex-trafficking trial of the Alexander brothers, prosecutors have announced their intention to drop two charges. This revelation came to light during a court session on Friday in Manhattan.

The case, which has gripped public attention, involves the three Alexander brothers—twins Oren and Alon, both 38, and their elder brother, Tal, aged 39. They stand accused of engaging in a prolonged campaign of drugging, raping, and trafficking numerous women over a span of more than ten years.

The prosecution, which has been presenting its case to the jury over the past month, is anticipated to conclude its arguments by Monday. The decision to drop two charges was made public in a conference before Judge Valerie E. Caproni.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Madison Smyser addressed the court, stating, “We don’t plan to proceed to the jury with counts six and seven.” This update was reported by the New York Times.

The two counts in question pertain to allegations of sex trafficking against all three brothers in June 2009, each carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years. The decision to drop these charges marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing trial.

Tal Alexander, 39, and twins Oren and Alon, 38, are each facing numerous federal sex trafficking charges

Both counts relate to a charge of sex trafficking against all three brothers in June 2009 and carry a minimum sentence of 15 years.

The prosecution moved to drop the charges after the defense submitted alibi affidavits in response to claims made by two separate alleged victims, labeled in court records as ‘Victim 4’ and ‘Victim 5.’

The dismissal needs to be approved by Judge Caproni. If approved, the brothers would still face 10 counts, including conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.

The three siblings have pleaded not guilty to all counts and insist any sexual encounters were consensual. 

Jason Goldman, an attorney representing the brothers in related civil litigation, told the Daily Mail the development is an example of the justice system functioning as intended.

‘The defense filed sworn alibi affidavits addressing those counts,’ said Goldman. ‘In turn, prosecutors routinely drop charges when evidentiary, factual, or legal issues lead them to conclude that they cannot meet their burden of proving the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

‘That is precisely how the justice system is supposed to work.’

The two alleged victims accused the brothers of transporting them across state lines in June 2009 and forcing them to engage in sex.

The two women were expected to testify at the trial but had not appeared by Friday.

Court filings and prior public remarks made by the government and Caproni suggested a pattern of intimidation against at least one of the women. 

Tal Alexander (front, blue shorts) and identical twins Oren and Alon (back row) are facing federal sex trafficking charges in Manhattan court; they have pleaded not guilty

During a court hearing on Friday, the prosecution motioned to dismiss two charges against them 

In a January filing, prosecutors claimed that a private investigator working for the defense posed as an insurance agent and approached neighbors surrounding Victim 4’s home and asked questions about her children. 

The prosecution accused the defense of crossing ‘ethical lines’. 

‘These boundary-crossing investigative efforts that implicate victim family members and safety may very well result in the unavailability of government’s witnesses — a fact that defense counsel is undoubtedly aware,’ the filing read. 

Caproni chastised the defense on the opening day of the trial over the claims, warning: ‘This better not repeat.’

In requesting to drop the charges, Smyser told the judge on Friday: ‘We are in this position because of what happened…with regard to the defense investigators.’

Goldman dismissed Smyser’s claims, accusing the prosecution of attempting to ‘drum up sensational, albeit unfounded speculation.’

If convicted of the remaining 10 counts, the Alexander brothers still face the possibility of life in prison. 

Tal Alexander is pictured with actor Zac Efron at an NBA finals party at Efron’s apartment in 2012. During the trial, a woman accused Alon of raping her after the same party

Oren and Tal Alexander were once two of the country’s most prolific real estate brokers, smashing multi-million-dollar sales records and securing deals for the rich and powerful, with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, and Kim Kardashian and Kanye West among their clients. 

Their brother Alon was an attorney and served as Vice President of their family’s successful Miami-based private security firm, Kent Security.

The high-flying siblings were all fixtures on the New York and Miami party circuits.

However, their worlds of excess came crashing down in June 2024, when two women filed lawsuits in New York, accusing Oren and Alon of sexual assault.

Dozens more lawsuits followed, including numerous accusing Tal of sexual assault. 

A federal investigation was launched. The brothers were then arrested in pre-dawn raids in December 2024 and have remained in custody since. 

Testimony will resume on Monday. 

The trial is expected to last until mid-March.