MIAMI — A federal judge has ruled to keep a well-known real estate broker detained without bond on charges of sexual assault and trafficking, citing him as a flight risk. The judge rejected a family offer of $115 million in real estate to secure his release, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations.
Magistrate Judge Lisette Reid’s decision likely indicates that Tal Alexander’s brothers, Oren and Alon, will face similar bail denials in their upcoming federal court appearances, as the security proposal was intended to encompass all three brothers. Earlier, a state judge had granted Oren a bond of $3 million and Alon a bond of $2 million on related state charges, but both were ordered to remain in custody pending a federal hearing.
Judge Reid backed the prosecution’s stance that Tal Alexander’s family wealth could incentivize him to flee, even with conditions like house arrest and GPS monitoring. She commented that such measures have previously failed in securing compliance in other cases.
Federal prosecutor Lauren Astigarraga emphasized the risk of flight, suggesting that Tal Alexander, who is Jewish, might escape to Israel using a private jet, complicating any potential extradition back to the United States. He faces a potential life sentence if convicted of the charges laid against him. Astigarraga further contended that the severity of the allegations indicates he poses a danger to the community, and could attempt to intimidate potential witnesses who may testify in his trial. She drew parallels to the ongoing legal issues surrounding music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is also being held without bail on sex trafficking charges.
The Alexander brothers had previously gained notoriety following the publication of the accusations against them several months ago. They had built a successful career in luxury real estate, co-founding the brokerage firm Official, which focuses on high-end properties in cities like Miami, New York, and Los Angeles.
FBI Special Agent Justine Atwood testified that around 40 women, who primarily do not know each other, have come forward with similar accusations of being lured by the brothers to lavish vacation destinations and residences, only to be drugged and sexually assaulted. She also mentioned the existence of disturbing videos, photographs, and text messages between the brothers that bolster these claims.
Tal Alexander’s attorney, Milton Williams Jr., contended that while the accusations are serious, the evidence against his client is minimal. He argued for a substantial bail package, asserting that the family’s financial stability would be jeopardized if any of the brothers chose to flee. He highlighted that Tal Alexander is married and recently welcomed a newborn, suggesting that this significantly reduces the likelihood of him escaping.
Despite his attorney’s efforts to secure bail, Tal Alexander opted to be transferred to a federal detention facility in New York, where the charges were officially filed earlier this week. In contrast, Circuit Judge Lody Jean had previously granted bail for his twin brothers in state court, secured by their father’s residence in Bal Harbour, Florida.
“I am satisfied that these are reasonable conditions that you all have fashioned,” Jean stated to the attorneys during the hearing. However, the federal charges ultimately precluded their release.
The brothers were taken into custody on charges related to sexual misconduct in Miami, in addition to a federal sex trafficking indictment in New York City. The indictment accuses the siblings of leveraging their wealth to exploit, drug, and violently assault multiple women over the course of more than ten years. In Florida, they also face state charges concerning three separate alleged incidents of sexual battery. Oren is charged with three counts, while Alon faces one.
