A federal judge in New York City has ruled that three luxury real estate brokers accused of raping dozens of women over more than a decade will remain in jail to await their trial on sex trafficking charges. The brothers, who reside in Miami, have pleaded not guilty to the charges but have been deemed a danger to the community by multiple judges.
The indictment alleges that the brothers used their wealth and influence gained through brokering high-end property deals in major cities to rape and sexually abuse women from at least 2002 to 2021. Prosecutors claim the men employed deception, fraud, and coercion to entice victims, with some incidents involving minors.
Law enforcement agents have spoken to over 40 women who reported being forcibly raped or sexually assaulted by at least one of the brothers. The prosecution also stated that the men had drugged victims prior to the assaults and that each brother had been accused of forcible rape by at least 10 women.
During a recent hearing, defense lawyers argued that the government's evidence was weak and that the men had not been involved in any criminal activity in the last four years. They also highlighted the defendants' family ties and community involvement as reasons to grant bail.
Prosecutors, however, presented evidence from a raid on one of the brother's residences, which uncovered photographs and videos showing the men with intoxicated and undressed women. They argued that the defendants had not shown remorse for their actions and that multiple victims had expressed fear for their lives during the assaults.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Jones emphasized that numerous victims would testify at trial about the sexual violence they endured, with their accounts corroborated by various forms of evidence. The prosecution maintained that the victims' testimonies aligned in detailing similar experiences of sexual violence across different settings and time periods.
The judge ultimately sided with the prosecution, citing the strength of the evidence and the potential penalties the brothers faced if convicted. The men will remain in jail as they await trial on the serious charges brought against them.
