A Brazilian national residing illegally in Worcester, Massachusetts, has been apprehended as part of an international law enforcement operation targeting a criminal organization accused of smuggling hundreds from Brazil to the United States. Flavio Alexandra Alves, also known as "Ronaldo," was charged with conspiracy to bring and transport aliens within the U.S. unlawfully. Following his initial court appearance in Worcester, Alves remains detained pending a hearing set for March 28, 2025.
According to charging documents, Alves was previously convicted of human smuggling in California in 2004 and deported to Brazil in 2005. He allegedly re-entered the U.S. illegally afterward and has been living without immigration status. An investigation initiated in April 2022 identified Alves as a domestic-based smuggler for a human smuggling organization (HSO) operating across the U.S., Brazil, and Mexico since mid-2021.
The investigation alleges that Alves coordinated with associates in Brazil and Mexico to facilitate the transportation of individuals from Brazil into the U.S., laundered funds to support the HSO, and collected smuggling fees from Brazilian nationals. He is accused of purchasing over 100 airline tickets between May 2021 and August 2022 for individuals traveling from border cities like Tucson or Phoenix to destinations such as Boston and Philadelphia after encounters with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Alves allegedly sent substantial sums via money transfers to support transit expenses into the U.S., using various methods to obscure these transactions' nature and frequency. Additionally, he reportedly collected payments from aliens for being smuggled into the country.
Four other individuals associated with this alien smuggling network were detained on administrative immigration violations by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) offices supported by partner agencies.
The arrest resulted from efforts under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) and the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) Program, both aimed at dismantling human smuggling networks impacting public safety and border security. JTFA has achieved over 355 arrests domestically and internationally related to alien smuggling activities.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, focusing on eliminating illegal immigration cartels and protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators through coordinated resources.
The announcement was made by several officials including United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations New England; Brasília Attaché Troy Clausen; along with assistance from various HSI offices.
If convicted, Alves faces up to ten years imprisonment, three years supervised release, a fine up to $250,000, and potential deportation following any sentence served. The allegations remain accusations until proven beyond reasonable doubt in court.
