Brazilian Man Indicted for Fake Federal Seals in Florida

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Brazilian Man Arrested in Florida After Federal Indictment for Using DHS, FEMA, and FBI Seals
Prosecutors say fake chaplain agency sold unlawful badges, forged credentials, and claimed ties to U.S. government

A well‑known member of the Brazilian community in Florida is now at the center of a federal criminal case after U.S. authorities confirmed that his February arrest was tied to an indictment for fraudulently using official government seals. The case, initially surrounded by silence, is now detailed in a public announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

Federal Arrest and Homeland Security Hold

Mario Cesar Dos Santos Jr., 50, was detained on February 19 in Marion County, Florida, under the designation “Hold for Homeland Security.” At the time, federal authorities did not disclose the reason for the detention, a standard procedure during active investigations.

County records confirm that this type of hold indicates a federal case in progress, with details withheld until an indictment or court hearing is formally scheduled.

Dos Santos was widely recognized among Brazilians in Florida, frequently appearing at community events and posing with business owners, pastors, and public figures.

Indictment: Fraudulent Use of Federal Seals

According to the federal indictment, Dos Santos is charged with fraudulently using the official seals of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.

The indictment, now public, is available through the U.S. Department of Justice:
https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/massachusetts-man-indicted-and-arrested-fraudulently-using-government-seals

Prosecutors say Dos Santos acted as CEO and vice‑president of the Chaplain Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), a private entity registered in Massachusetts in 2022, which he falsely presented as a government‑linked emergency‑response agency.

What Investigators Found

Federal investigators allege that CEMA was structured to mimic an official U.S. agency. According to the indictment and investigative reports, Dos Santos used or sold:

• Identification cards featuring modified DHS logos

• Metal badges resembling police or federal law‑enforcement insignia

• Certificates displaying FBI seals

• Branded merchandise such as jackets, polo shirts, bumper stickers, and badge holders

These items were distributed during “chaplaincy training courses” held across the country. Participants—many of them Brazilian immigrants—paid US$ 400 to US$ 450 per course, generating approximately US$ 14,000 in revenue.

Authorities say Dos Santos told trainees that the badges and certificates would provide “immunity” from immigration enforcement and authority during emergencies—claims that federal agencies confirm are false.

False Claims and Misrepresentation

Investigators say Dos Santos made several false statements to bolster the credibility of CEMA, including:

• Claiming the organization was “linked to FEMA”

• Presenting himself as a medical doctor trained at Harvard

• Stating he had federal authorization to carry a rifle

• Promising that CEMA credentials protected holders from deportation

CEMA’s website, CEMAgov.org, and its social media pages used symbols, terminology, and visual elements resembling official U.S. government portals.

Immigration Status and Forged Documents

Federal documents also state that Dos Santos, a Brazilian national who entered the U.S. in 2016, is currently in deportation proceedings for overstaying his visa.
Prosecutors say he submitted forged documents, including:

• A fake “Certificate of Ordination”

• A diploma from a non‑existent “University of Berkley” in Michigan

Public Persona and Community Presence

Before his arrest, Dos Santos presented himself online as a doctor and president of Chaplains in USA, a capellany school.
His organization’s banners and certificates prominently displayed symbols resembling DHS, FEMA, and FBI insignia.

In a video posted on Instagram, he suggested that CEMA was connected to FEMA, the federal emergency‑management agency.

His arrest occurred two days before he was scheduled to present an honorary chaplaincy certificate to Brazilian plastic surgeon Dr. Rey at an event in Orlando.

Chaplaincy in the U.S.: A Legitimate but Regulated Field

Chaplaincy is a respected profession in the United States, with chaplains serving in hospitals, law enforcement, emergency response, and spiritual‑care settings.
However, chaplains must be affiliated with accredited institutions and follow strict credentialing standards, something prosecutors say CEMA did not meet.

Ongoing Federal Case

The investigation was conducted by DHS, FEMA, and the FBI.
As of now, no trial date has been announced, and Dos Santos remains in federal custody.