A Brazilian national residing illegally in Worcester, Massachusetts, has been apprehended in connection with an extensive human smuggling operation. Flavio Alexandra Alves, also known as "Ronaldo," was charged with conspiracy to bring and transport aliens within the United States unlawfully. After his initial court appearance in Worcester, Alves remains detained awaiting a hearing on March 28, 2025.
Alves had previously been convicted of human smuggling offenses in California in 2004 and deported to Brazil in February 2005. Authorities allege that he re-entered the U.S. illegally and became involved with a human smuggling organization operating across the U.S., Brazil, and Mexico since mid-2021. The investigation claims that Alves coordinated efforts to facilitate illegal entry into the U.S., launder funds to support these operations, and collect fees from those being smuggled.
It is further alleged that between May 2021 and August 2022, Alves purchased over 100 airline tickets for Brazilian nationals traveling within the U.S. following their encounters with Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Financial records suggest Alves sent significant amounts of money to assist transit into the U.S., concealing transactions by using different aliases and associates.
Four additional individuals connected to this smuggling network were detained for immigration violations. The investigation was managed under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) and the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) Program, focusing on dismantling cartels and criminal organizations linked to human smuggling.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational crime through combined resources from various Justice Department task forces.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the arrest alongside other officials from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and related agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto is prosecuting alongside other legal representatives from specialized sections of the Justice Department.
If convicted, Alves faces up to ten years imprisonment, supervised release, fines up to $250,000, and potential deportation after serving his sentence. The allegations remain unproven until confirmed by a court verdict.