A man carrying a pizza wheel impersonated an FBI agent and tried to break Luigi Mangione out of jail, prosecutors say

Published: Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 7:58 pm

Man Arrested for Impersonating FBI Agent in Jailbreak Attempt

A man was arrested Wednesday night for allegedly impersonating an FBI agent and attempting to free Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, from the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC). Federal prosecutors revealed the details of the incident on Thursday.

According to a criminal complaint, Mark Anderson arrived at the jail claiming to possess a court order for Mangione's release. When questioned by Bureau of Prisons officials, Anderson presented a Minnesota driver's license and stated he had weapons in his backpack. He also reportedly threw multiple documents at the officers.

A search of Anderson's bag revealed a pizza cutter and a barbecue fork. Prosecutors have charged Anderson with impersonating an FBI agent. He was scheduled to appear before a magistrate judge on Thursday afternoon. An attorney for Anderson could not be immediately identified.

Mangione remains in custody at the MDC, awaiting trial for the December 2024 murder of Brian Thompson. He is scheduled to appear in federal court in Manhattan on Friday morning, where a judge may rule on several pending issues, including whether the death penalty will be sought in his murder trial. The court may also decide on the admissibility of evidence from Mangione's arrest, including a 9mm handgun and a journal. Jury selection for the federal charges against Mangione is scheduled for September. The Manhattan District Attorney's office has requested a July trial date for its own murder trial against him, to which Mangione has pleaded not guilty.

The MDC, the only remaining federal jail in New York City, houses several high-profile defendants. Despite criticisms of its conditions, the jail has a strong record of containing inmates, including successfully holding Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman for over two years.

BNN's Perspective: This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by correctional facilities. While the attempt was unsuccessful, it underscores the need for vigilance and robust security protocols. The MDC's history of housing high-profile individuals, coupled with the recent incident, necessitates a continued focus on maintaining safety and order within the facility.

Keywords: FBI agent, jailbreak, Luigi Mangione, Metropolitan Detention Center, MDC, Brian Thompson, UnitedHealthcare, impersonation, arrest, court, federal court, prison, crime, security, investigation

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