A former Army Ranger and military attorney, Manfredo Martin-Michael Madrigal III, 38, was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison after being convicted of lying to investigators about contacting the Russian Embassy and destroying national security materials.
Madrigal pled guilty in July 2024 to three counts of making false statements and one count of destroying U.S. Army materials. His case stems from a series of actions while he was assigned to the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School (JAG School) in 2022.
Assigned to the JAG School’s Training Developments Directorate, Madrigal was entrusted with national security materials and held a security clearance. The investigation began after he failed to report a previous DUI arrest, and soon, authorities discovered more concerning actions.
In February 2022, Madrigal filmed himself accessing sensitive national security training modules and made derogatory remarks about the Army. He was later found to have contacted the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C. While under investigation, he falsely denied these actions, including in FBI interviews, which led to charges of making false statements.
Madrigal was also arrested in August 2022 for cyberstalking an ex-girlfriend, during which he accessed her personal information, sent threatening messages, and harassed her while possessing a firearm.
Prosecutors argued that Madrigal was a national security threat and a danger to witnesses, citing his attempts to intimidate and threaten individuals connected to the investigation. Despite his defense team’s claims, the court held Madrigal accountable for his actions and sentenced him to 54 months in federal prison.
Madrigal’s case highlights the serious consequences of false statements, destruction of national security materials, and the potential harm posed by individuals in positions of trust.