Washington orders deportation of Brazilian man who sold fake DHS and FBI credentials

The government is proceeding with the deportation of Mario Cesar dos Santos Jr., a 50-year-old Brazilian citizen who pleaded guilty to operating a fraudulent organization and selling credentials bearing the seals of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the FBI and FEMA.

According to an official report by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida, dos Santos pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and another for fraudulent use of government seals. He faces up to 20 years in prison, and his sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 18.

He promised protection from immigration authorities

According to court documents, dos Santos ran an organization called Chaplain Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), which he falsely presented as a government agency backed by FEMA.

During training courses held in Florida, other states and even abroad, he distributed identification cards, badges and certificates bearing forged official seals. Although the courses were free, he charged between $400 and $450 for the certificates.

Dos Santos also claimed that those who obtained these credentials would have a certain degree of "immunity" from immigration authorities and would be protected from deportation—claims that were false, according to Department of Justice.