Prosecutors cited a pattern of intimidation against witnesses as a reason for dropping two counts from the sex-trafficking case. A judge must approve the dismissal.

A federal judge in the case must decide whether she will approve dropping the charges against the brothers, who are accused of sex trafficking. The three men would still face 10 other charges.

The three brothers - Oren, Alon and Tal Alexander - are accused of drugging, raping and trafficking dozens of women over a campaign that lasted more than a decade.