CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLERIGHTNOW) – Manfredo Martin-Michael Madrigal, 38, was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in federal prison for illegally deleting Army training materials and contacting the Russian embassy while under investigation for failing to report a prior DUI arrest. Madrigal, who worked in the Training Developments Directorate at the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School (JAG School) in Charlottesville, filmed himself destroying the files in February 2022 while expressing anger toward the Army.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia, Madrigal called the Russian embassy in Washington, D.C., on the same night he deleted the materials. He later texted a witness, claiming Russia was “interested in what he knew.” Madrigal was discharged from the JAG School shortly after the incident.

When interviewed by the FBI in April and May 2022, Madrigal falsely denied deleting the files and claimed he learned of the incident from a coworker. Prosecutors stated that Madrigal also lied about his contact with foreign entities, including the Russian embassy.

The case was investigated by the FBI and U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command. Acting U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Lee and FBI Richmond Special Agent in Charge Stanley M. Meador announced the sentencing.