A man has been arrested and charged with impersonating an FBI agent in a bid to free Luigi Mangione from prison.
Mangione is being held in a Brooklyn jail while he awaits trial over the killing of a health insurance company CEO in December 2024.
Mark Anderson allegedly told jail officers that he was an FBI agent in possession of paperwork “signed by a judge” authorising the release of one of the inmates at the jail.
Here’s what happened.
Background
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was on his way to an investor conference in NYC in December 2024 when he was shot and killed on the street.
Following a five day search, Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania.
Police allege he was carrying a gun and a silencer, consistent with the ones used in the murder, when he was apprehended.
He is set to face trial on charges of murder.
Your contribution ensures The Daily Aus can continue doing the work you love.
I want to give $10 monthly to help TDA keep doing the news.
Your account details:
Prison break
Anderson allegedly approached the intake area at the Brooklyn jail where Mangione is detained on Wednesday night (local time).
He claimed to hold paperwork “signed by a judge” authorising the release of a prisoner in custody at the facility.
The criminal complaint did not name which inmate, but sources told ABC News (U.S.) it was Mangione.
When jail officers pressed Anderson for identification, he showed them a Minnesota driver’s license and threw “numerous documents” at them.
On further questioning, the 36-year-old claimed he had weapons in his bag.
Police allege a barbeque fork and a pizza cutter were inside his bag.
Anderson was arrested and charged with impersonating an FBI agent. He is expected to appear in court on Thursday.
Mangione is also due in court next week. The judge overseeing his case is expected to decide if the death penalty will remain a sentencing option, should he be found guilty.
