Tucson Man Charged with Theft of Deceased Mother's Social Security Benefits
TUCSON, Ariz. / Wednesday, September 16, 2026 – Earlier this month, a federal grand jury in Tucson returned an indictment against Ruffin Alford III, 48, of Tucson, Arizona, for Theft of Government Money. Alford is scheduled to appear in federal court on Sep. 25.
The indictment alleges that between October 2020 and August 2025, Alford III retained $104,013 in Social Security benefits issued to his deceased mother’s bank account.
A conviction for Theft of Government Money carries a maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Corey Marasco and Mary Sue Feldmeier, District of Arizona, Tucson, are handling the prosecution.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
CASE NUMBER: 26-CR-04592-TUC-RCC
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-159_Alford
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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Contact
Public Affairs
Esther J. Winne
Telephone: (602) 514-7740
esther.winne@usdoj.gov
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona
