MIAMI – One of the wealthy Alexander brothers, with ties to Miami Beach and New York’s real estate and social scenes, will remain behind bars as he faces a federal sex crimes case, a judge ruled.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Eduardo Sanchez called Alon Alexander a flight risk in denying him bond and house arrest Friday morning. The judge cited Alexander’s international connections, including those with Israel, a country in which he holds citizenship.
The judge, who said the decision to deny Alon Alexander’s release was difficult, also called him a danger to the community.
“There are no conditions that will assure his appearance,” Sanchez said, ordering Alon to remain under custody. “No conditions will satisfy.”
In denying Alon Alexander’s release, Sanchez said the charges he faced were “extremely serious” with “serious consequences, given the dozens of victims that have come forward.”
The Alexander family has offered all of its assets as collateral to ensure his continued appearances in court, something the judge said was “admirable.”
Alon Alexander and his brothers in the real estate business, Oren and Tal Alexander, are accused of using their wealth to lure women and girls, taking them on trips to Mexico and the Hamptons, drugging them and raping them.
Tal Alexander faced a federal judge weeks ago and was also ordered to remain behind bars. Alon and Oren Alexander also face state charges in South Florida.
Attorney Howard Srebnick, representing the Alexander brothers, criticized the decision to keep his client detained Friday, emphasizing their presumption of innocence.
“They have been convicted of nothing,” Srebnick said. “They have no criminal history. They are not supposed to be in jail; they are presumed innocent.”
The defense proposed a plan to house Alon Alexander in a secured two-bedroom apartment under electronic monitoring and constant surveillance by a private security firm. Srebnick argued that such arrangements are not unprecedented.
“This is not something I invented,” he said. “This is something that has been done for years.”
Srebnick has maintained his clients’ innocence, asserting the accusations are baseless.
“Not one of the accusers has testified before the grand jury. Not one of the accusers has been subject to cross-examination. Not one of the accusers (has been) under oath before a federal judge to point fingers at the defendants to say they have done anything wrong,” he argued.
He further accused the alleged victims of making false claims against the brothers.
“Each and every one of these accusers is rendering a false narration, a false accusation against the Alexander brothers,” Srebnick said.
Oren Alexander is set to face a federal judge for a similar hearing on Tuesday.