Mario Cesar Dos Santos, Jr., a 50-year-old Massachusetts resident and president of the Chaplain Emergency Management Agency, pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud and fraudulent use of government seals. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the plea, which centers on a scheme that charged attendees hundreds of dollars for fraudulent chaplaincy courses while falsely claiming affiliation with FEMA, DHS, and the FBI.
Guilty Plea Details and Charges Filed in Federal Court
Dos Santos entered his guilty plea to one count of wire fraud and one count of fraudulent use of government seals in Ocala, Florida. According to federal court documents, he served as president of the Chaplain Emergency Management Agency, Inc. (CEMA), an organization he promoted as an official government entity endorsed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Following the plea, a sentencing hearing was scheduled for December 18, 2026. Dos Santos faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison.
How the CEMA Training Scheme Operated Across States
Dos Santos organized multiple CEMA Chaplaincy Training Courses in Florida, other states, and abroad. During these sessions, he falsely told attendees that CEMA partnered directly with FEMA and that the agency endorsed the training program. While attendance at the sessions was advertised as free, Dos Santos charged participants approximately $400 to $450 to receive a chaplaincy certificate.
Upon completing the course and paying the required fees, attendees received identification cards, law enforcement badges, and course completion certificates featuring the seals of the FBI, FEMA, and the Department of Homeland Security. Dos Santos falsely instructed participants that these credentials authorized them to support law enforcement during emergencies and take control of emergency situations before police arrived. He also falsely claimed that CEMA chaplain status provided immunity from immigration enforcement and protected them from deportation.
Undercover Operation and Enforcement Arrest
Federal investigators tracked the operation through an undercover sting. During an undercover operation at a training session on September 27, 2025, a confidential informant purchased CEMA merchandise—including polo shirts, bumper stickers, jackets, badges, and badge holders—that bore DHS and FEMA seals. Approximately 30 to 45 individuals attended that specific training event.
The confidential informant also accessed a CEMA group chat that contained more than 750 members when the investigation began in August 2025. Dos Santos used the platform to distribute digital flyers and promote upcoming courses. CEMA’s website and social media channels featured an altered DHS seal styled as the “U.S. Department of Homeland Chaplain” and falsely claimed the organization was accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and the American Council on Education (ACE).
Law enforcement arrested Dos Santos on February 19, 2026, at Orlando International Airport after he traveled from Boston to Orlando for a scheduled CEMA training session. At the time of his arrest, he wore a CEMA polo shirt featuring the DHS seal on the chest and sleeve. Dos Santos is a Brazilian national who entered the United States in 2016, overstayed his visa, and is currently undergoing deportation proceedings.
Federal Law Enforcement Statements on the Investigation
DHS Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D., condemned the misuse of government seals to defraud victims for personal gain and thanked federal, state, and local partners for their investigative work. FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley added that the plea demonstrates the importance of holding accountable individuals who exploit the credibility and symbols of the federal government.
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