Three brothers convicted of sex trafficking and related offences have each been handed 30-year prison sentences. Twins Oren and Alon Alexander, 39, and their elder brother Tal Alexander, 40, were found guilty of 10 counts of engaging in a years-long conspiracy of rape, sex trafficking, sex abuse and sexual exploitation in a Manhattan federal court in March.
On Tuesday, Judge Valerie E Caproni sentenced each of the men to 30 years in federal prison. She reprimanded them for continuing to deny their crimes despite being found guilty, and rejected their request for the minimum sentence of 15 years.
Judge Condemns Brothers' Conduct
"I don't refer to people as monsters because even rapists can change, but your conduct was monstrous," the judge said.
The men, who were arrested in 2024 and have been remanded without bail, were spotted smirking in court throughout the hearing.
Victims Testify at Trial
Eleven of the brothers' victims gave testimonies during the March trial. The proceedings also featured photographs, messages and a video of an alleged sexual assault so disturbing it reduced a juror to near tears.
Several of their victims broke down in tears as they addressed the court ahead of sentencing.
One victim said through sobs, "I stand here not only for myself but for every voice that Tal and his brothers have tried to silence. Your Honor, this is a life sentence I never asked for. This remains with me long after this. I carry a quiet funeral inside me."
Another victim, who gave the name Katie Moore, stated: "These men spent years treating women and girls as though our lives, bodies, voices and humanity meant nothing. But we are not disposable, and they are not untouchable."
Decades of Abuse Revealed
Prosecutors revealed the brothers started sexually assaulting women as early as 2001 or 2002, while they were in high school. As the years progressed, it is understood that they established a pattern of drugging and raping women whom they lured to join them on luxury trips.
"The defendants felt empowered to take whatever they wanted from any woman or girl who agreed to get on a plane, go to a party, or sit at their table at a nightclub," prosecutors stated. Once sexual assaults commenced, the brothers "seemed to prefer - when the women protested, struggled to get free, or lay lifeless in front of them," prosecutors said.
Numerous women who gave evidence described being raped or sexually assaulted after they became disorientated and lost control of their bodies following being handed a drink by one of the brothers.
At least 70 women were raped or sexually assaulted by the men, prosecutors stated in a court filing that labelled the brothers "serial rapists."
Sentencing Requests and Next Steps
While the brothers maintain their innocence, the defence requested that they each receive the minimum sentence of 15 years. Defence lawyers said the brothers apologise to the women they insulted or offended for conduct they admit was "insensitive toward the feelings of certain women at certain times."
Prosecutors called for life sentences for all three men, while federal probation officials put forward recommendations of 195 years for Oren and 180 years apiece for his twin Alon and their elder brother Tal.
The judge had previously stated her belief that the brothers ought to be held in separate prisons, as she considered them to be a negative influence on each other.
