by Tucson, Arizona — A U.S. Air Force staff sergeant and his husband are accused of orchestrating a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme that allegedly siphoned more than $3 million in taxpayer funds to bankroll a lavish lifestyle that included luxury vehicles and a sprawling desert mansion.
According to the United States Department of Justice, Staff Sgt. Richard Stefon Ramroop, 35, and Manuel George Madrid, 32, were charged in a 12-count indictment tied to an alleged scheme that ran from January 2022 through December 2025.
Alleged Scheme at Air Force Base
Prosecutors say Ramroop used his position as a pharmacist at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base to order thousands of medical devices using government funds.
Authorities allege the devices were then resold to private companies, with the couple keeping the proceeds.
Federal officials say the scheme cost the Department of the Air Force more than $3 million.
Investigators reported that bank accounts connected to the couple received over $11 million in wire transfers, ACH deposits and other credits from companies purchasing the devices.
Luxury Home and High-End Cars
Prosecutors allege the couple used the funds to purchase a $1.1 million mansion in Tucson in early 2024.
The 5,622-square-foot home, located in the Tucson Mountains area, reportedly featured:
- Four bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms
- A five-car garage
- Nearly five acres of property
- A grand double-staircase entrance
Records indicate the home was later sold in 2025 for $1.1 million.
Authorities also allege the pair purchased multiple luxury vehicles, including:
- 2024 Porsche Cayenne valued at approximately $141,000
- BMW i7 valued at roughly $195,000
- 2025 Ford F-150 Raptor
- 2025 Mini Cooper S Convertible
- 2025 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
- 2026 BMW X7 Alpina XB7
- 2026 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum
Officials executed a search warrant on Jan. 15 and seized vehicles and other assets.
Federal Agencies Involved
The investigation was conducted by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Homeland Security Investigations, and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, among others.
“Every dollar taken through fraud is a dollar denied to the mission it was meant to support,” said Arizona U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine.
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AFOSI Special Agent Richard Kautz added:
“Fraud of this level is not just a financial crime — it undermines public trust and threatens the integrity of our force.”
Charges and Potential Penalties
Ramroop was arrested Jan. 16, and Madrid was charged on Jan. 22.
The couple faces charges including:
- Conspiracy to commit theft of government property
- Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
- Wire fraud
- Money laundering
If convicted, they could face:
- Up to 5 years in prison for conspiracy to commit theft
- Up to 20 years for wire fraud-related charges
- Up to 10 years for money laundering
The case remains pending in federal court.
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