Alexander brothers are now at the center of a federal contraband investigation at the Brooklyn detention facility where they are being held.
Federal complaint names lumberyard owner as phone holder
The indictment filed earlier this week charges David Motovich, a convicted fraudster and former lumberyard proprietor from Midwood, with possessing an illegal cell phone while incarcerated. Prosecutors allege Motovich let other inmates, including Oren Alexander, use the device.
The charging document includes a selfie of Motovich with a second man whose face is redacted; the New York Times identified the individual as Oren Alexander. None of the three brothers—Oren, Tal and Alon—has been formally accused of violating the phone rules, though the complaint confirms they all accessed contraband phones.
Background on the Alexander brothers’ case
Oren and Tal Alexander were once prominent residential‑real‑estate brokers in New York City and Miami. Their rise ended abruptly after they were arrested in Miami in December 2024 and transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center to await trial.
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In March, the brothers and their sibling, security executive Alon Alexander, were convicted of sex‑trafficking offenses. Sentencing is scheduled for October, and each faces a potential term of 15 years to life.
Detention center details and timeline
They are housed at the Sunset Park detention center, where they have at least three more months before the sentencing hearing. Their incarceration began after a high‑profile arrest that shocked the real‑estate community.
Shortly after arriving, Tal’s estranged wife, Arielle, filed for divorce in New York. A related filing in Florida shows Tal continued to send messages from the jail, urging her to “think twice” about the divorce and asserting his innocence.
In those communications, Tal also claimed his accusers were motivated by money and described himself as “the victim.” Arielle’s court papers allege Tal directed the early termination of their lease at 432 Park Avenue from his cell, coordinating with his former agent and other contacts.
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Contraband phone use amid legal battles
The phone probe offers a rare glimpse into the daily life of the brothers behind bars. While the indictment does not name them as defendants for the phone violations, it confirms that the device was shared among inmates, a violation that can carry additional federal penalties.
Motovich’s alleged role as the phone’s keeper adds another layer to the case.
Motovich was previously convicted of fraud.
According to the complaint, Motovich possessed the phone and allowed Oren to use it, a fact that could complicate the brothers’ already extensive legal exposure.
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Legal context and potential consequences
The investigation is still unfolding, and prosecutors have not indicated whether additional inmates will be charged. The focus remains on Motovich’s alleged facilitation of the phone’s use.
Broader implications for the real‑estate sector
The Alexander brothers’ fall from grace has reverberated through New York’s luxury‑property market, where they once brokered multimillion‑dollar deals. Their convictions, along with the ongoing contraband probe, highlight the legal risks that can accompany high‑stakes brokerage.
While the case continues, the brothers remain in custody, awaiting sentencing and the outcome of the phone investigation.