Worcester man admits to helping families cross border illegally

A Worcester man admitted in court Wednesday that he helped enable a large smuggling operation to get Brazilian-based families into the country illegally.

Flavio Alexandra, 41, admitted to charges of money laundering, conspiring to bring aliens in the country, and illegal reentry at a hearing in US District Court in Worcester, court paperwork shows.

According to prosecutors, people who were smuggled generally paid Alves $20,000 to $25,000, depending on the size of the family, the Worcester Telegram and Gazette reports.