Sex Trafficking and Sexual Assault Cases

In the federal sex‑trafficking trial in Manhattan of brothers Oren, Tal and Alon Alexander — which moved into jury selection and opening statements amid a late superseding indictment adding a 2012 incident and the recent death of an early accuser — the first witness testifying under the pseudonym “Katie Moore” said she met Tal and Alon at a 2012 party at actor Zac Efron’s apartment, ingested alcohol and Molly, and awoke naked with Alon atop her, alleging she repeatedly refused and was raped while Tal briefly entered and did not intervene. Defense attorney Teny Geragos countered that the encounters were consensual “hookup culture,” contending accusers later recast consensual sex as assaults out of regret or for financial gain.