Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Government Seal Misuse in FEMA Chaplain Scam
Mario Cesar Dos Santos, Jr., a 50-year-old Massachusetts resident and Brazilian national, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of fraudulent use of government seals. Operating an unaccredited group called the Chaplain Emergency Management Agency, Inc. (CEMA), Dos Santos falsely marketed the organization as a federal entity endorsed by FEMA, charging attendees up to $450 for fraudulent chaplaincy certificates and counterfeit law enforcement badges.
Federal Charges and Operation of the Fake Agency
According to court documents announced by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe, Dos Santos served as the president of CEMA. He organized numerous Chaplaincy Training Courses across Florida, other states, and abroad. Although the training sessions were ostensibly free to attend, Dos Santos required participants to pay approximately $400 to $450 to receive a chaplaincy certificate. In exchange for these fees, attendees received identification cards, course completion certificates, and law enforcement badges emblazoned with modified federal seals.
Dos Santos told course attendees that these credentials authorized them to support law enforcement during emergencies and even take control of emergency situations until official personnel arrived. He also falsely promised participants that their status as CEMA chaplains would grant them immunity from immigration enforcement and protect them from deportation. Dos Santos himself is a Brazilian national who entered the United States in 2016, overstayed his visa, and is currently undergoing deportation proceedings following his February 19, 2026, arrest at Orlando International Airport.
Fabricated Federal Affiliations and Misused Seals
Investigations revealed that CEMA had no affiliation with the federal government, nor did Dos Santos or his organization possess authorization to use the seals of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). CEMA’s promotional materials, website, and social media accounts displayed altered versions of the DHS and FEMA seals, including a logo modified to read “U.S. Department of Homeland Chaplain.”
The organization’s website also falsely claimed full accreditation by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and the American Council on Education (ACE). Beyond training fees, Dos Santos reaped financial gain by selling branded merchandise—such as polo shirts, jackets, bumper stickers, badges, and badge holders—bearing unauthorized federal seals. During an undercover operation on September 27, 2025, a confidential informant purchased merchandise at a training session attended by roughly 30 to 45 individuals. An associated CEMA group chat utilized to promote these courses contained more than 750 members when federal authorities initiated their investigation in August 2025.
Law Enforcement Response and Imminent Sentencing
Federal law enforcement agencies coordinated extensively to dismantle the fraudulent operation. DHS Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D., condemned the misuse of government seals to exploit victims for personal gain. Meanwhile, FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley emphasized that the prosecution shows the necessity of holding accountable individuals who exploit the credibility and symbols of federal institutions.
Following his guilty plea, Dos Santos faces a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison. A formal sentencing hearing has been scheduled for December 18, 2026. Individuals or organizations seeking to verify the legitimacy of emergency management credentials, ensure regulatory compliance, or retain vetted legal counsel for administrative and criminal matters frequently rely on professional guidance from specialized legal and compliance services to manage complex federal regulations.