A U.S. Air Force sergeant and his husband are accused of stealing more than $3 million from the government to pay for a lavish lifestyle that included high-end cars and a million-dollar home in Arizona.Staff Sgt. Richard Stefon Ramroop, 35, and Manuel George Madrid, 32, were charged with 12 counts for allegedly carrying out the scheme between January 2022 and December 2025. The U.S. Justice Department announced the charges Thursday.Prosecutors said Ramrup used his position as a pharmacist at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson to order thousands of pieces of medical equipment with government funds. After acquiring the equipment, the couple allegedly resold the items and kept the profits. Authorities said the program cost the War Department more than $3 million.According to investigators, bank accounts linked to the two men received more than $11 million in wire transfers, ACH deposits and other credits from companies that purchased the equipment.The money was allegedly used to maintain an expensive lifestyle. In January 2024, the couple purchased a 5,622-square-foot property near the Tucson Mountains for $1.1 million. The home sits on 4.9 acres and includes four bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, a grand dual-staircase entry and a five-car garage. Madrid became the sole owner in May 2025 and sold the property that same month for $1.1 million.They also purchased several luxury vehicles, including a 2024 Porsche Cayenne worth $141,443.34 and a BMW i7 worth $195,397.59. Other vehicles listed in court documents include a 2025 Ford F-150 Raptor, 2025 Mini Cooper S Convertible, 2025 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2026 BMW X7 Alpina XB7 and 2026 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum. Officers seized the vehicle and other assets in a search warrant executed on Jan. 15.“The defendants allegedly stole millions of taxpayer dollars from the U.S. Department of War to fund a lavish lifestyle and divert critical resources away from their intended use,” said Timothy Courchaine, U.S. Attorney for Arizona. “Every dollar taken fraudulently means that the mission it is meant to support is taken away from us,” they added.“Fraud of this level is more than just a financial crime, it undermines public trust, diverts resources, and threatens the integrity of our force,” said AFOSI Special Agent in Charge Richard Kautz. “Every dollar lost to fraud represents a loss to our national security.”Ramrup was arrested soon after the search. Madrid was charged on January 22. If convicted, they face up to five years in prison for conspiracy to steal government property, up to 20 years for wire fraud, and up to 10 years for money laundering.
