NEW YORK, USA — A Minnesota man has been charged with impersonating a federal law enforcement officer after authorities said he attempted to enter a federal detention centre in Brooklyn and secure the release of Luigi Mangione, who is facing murder charges.
According to a criminal complaint filed on Thursday, Mark Anderson, 36, arrived at the Metropolitan Detention Center on Wednesday evening, January 28, 2026, claiming to be an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and presenting what he said was a court order authorising Mangione’s release.
Officials with the Federal Bureau of Prisons asked Anderson to provide identification. He allegedly produced a Minnesota driver’s licence and told officers that he had weapons in his bag, the complaint said.
Alleged Encounter at Detention Centre
The complaint states that Anderson threw documents at prison officers during the encounter. An F.B.I. agent who signed the filing said the papers appeared to relate to legal claims against the Justice Department.
Prison staff searched Anderson’s backpack and found a barbecue-style fork and a circular steel blade, according to the complaint.
He was detained by Bureau of Prisons personnel and later charged with one count of falsely pretending to be an officer of the United States government.
A law enforcement source said Anderson had travelled to New York for a potential job opportunity that did not materialise and had been working at a pizzeria before his arrest. Authorities said it was unclear whether he had any personal connection to Mangione.
Anderson is expected to appear in federal court in Brooklyn on Thursday afternoon.
Background of the Mangione Case
Luigi Mangione has been held at the federal jail since his arrest in December 2024 in connection with the suspected murder of Brian Thompson, the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare.
He faces both federal and state murder charges and has pleaded not guilty.
Last week, the judge overseeing his federal case said jury selection was scheduled to begin on September 8. Opening statements would follow in October if the Justice Department is barred from pursuing the death penalty, or in January 2027 if capital charges remain in place. A ruling on that issue is expected by Friday.
On Wednesday, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office asked a state judge to schedule Mangione’s trial for July, ahead of the federal proceedings.
In court papers, Assistant District Attorney Joel Seidemann wrote: “The State has an overriding interest in trying this defendant for the cold-blooded execution of Brian Thompson on December 4, 2024. It resulted in the tragic death of a guest to our city on our streets.”
He added: “Federal law supports our request that we proceed first and our right to a speedy resolution of this case would be severely compromised should the federal trial proceed first.”
Legal Positions
Mangione’s lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, said in a statement that the defence would require sufficient time to prepare for the federal trial.
CNN said it had contacted Mangione’s attorney for comment on Anderson’s arrest.
Federal prosecutors have not indicated whether additional charges may be filed in connection with the alleged impersonation attempt.
