Police have charged one man following his arrest for trying to break Luigi Mangione out of prison.
The Minnesota resident reportedly impersonated an FBI agent and tried to enter a federal jail with the aim of freeing Mangione.
CNN cites law enforcement sources naming 36-year-old Mark Anderson, who claimed to be an FBI agent with a court order for Magione’s release. Anderson provided officials at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, with a Minnesota driver’s license after they asked him for credentials.
He also claimed to have weapons in his bag.
“Anderson then allegedly threw paperwork at the BOP officers. The papers appeared to be related to legal claims against the Justice Department, according to the FBI agent who signed the complaint,” CNN states.
Prison officials found a barbecue fork and a circular steel blade during a search of his backpack.
He was later detained by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Luigi Mangione’s Would-Be Rescuer Was In New York For Work
Anderson’s connection to Mangione isn’t clear. He worked at a pizzeria before his arrest and had traveled to NY for a job opportunity that didn’t pan out.
The 36-year-old has been charged with one count of falsely pretending to be an officer of the U.S. government. He was scheduled to appear in federal court in Brooklyn on Thursday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Luigi Mangione has been at the federal detention center since his arrest for the suspected murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
He has pleaded not guilty to state murder charges.
Police recently released bodycam footage of his arrest at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania.
Of note, his cousin recently signed with a professional American soccer team.
Last week, the judge overseeing his trial said jury selection would begin in early September. She also noted that opening statements will commence the following month. That is, if she rules that the death penalty cannot be pursued.
They will begin next January, should the capital charge stand.
A decision on this is expected on Friday.
