Minnesota Man Charged for Posing as FBI Agent to Free Accused CEO Killer

A Minnesota man has been arrested and charged after he allegedly posed as an FBI agent and attempted to free Luigi Mangione, who is accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by NBC News, the suspect, 35-year-old Mark Anderson, arrived at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on Wednesday, January 28. Allegedly, while carrying paperwork "signed by a judge" for the unspecified inmate, and claiming to be a federal agent, Anderson tried to get Mangione out of jail.

Additionally, the complaint detailed that prison workers asked for Anderson's credentials. He gave them his driver's license instead, and allegedly said that he was "in possession of weapons." Furthermore, "numerous documents" were thrown by Anderson, with them appearing to be "filing claims against the United States Department of Justice."

Bizarrely, ABC News, citing the same criminal complaint, reported that Anderson carried a barbecue fork and a pizza cutter in his backpack. As per the New York Post, Anderson had recently moved to New York City and had been working at a pizza parlor before the incident.

Anderson was arrested and charged with one count of falsely pretending to be an officer of the US government, CNN reported. He is expected to make his first court appearance on Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Mangione, held at the Metropolitan Detention Center, will appear in court on Friday. There, the judge overseeing his murder case will determine if the death penalty is ruled out as a sentencing option for the 27-year-old man.

On December 4, 2024, Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was shot dead outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The masked gunman fled the scene, and a five-day manhunt ensued. On December 9, 2024, Mangione was found and arrested at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after an employee reported him to the police.

Initially, Mangione was charged with first-degree murder (act of terrorism) and murder in the second degree as a crime of terrorism, among other weapons and forgery charges in New York. In September 2025, however, a state judge dismissed the murder charges related to terrorism, and Mangione was charged with second-degree murder instead.

Mangione also faces federal charges, including one count of using a firearm to commit murder. If convicted, he could face the death penalty or life in prison. Jury selection will begin on September 8, 2026.

The 27-year-old has pleaded not guilty to all state and federal charges.