In a startling incident at a New York detention facility, a man has been charged after allegedly attempting to free an inmate by impersonating an FBI agent. Mark Anderson, aged 36, reportedly approached the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, claiming to be with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and demanding the release of Luigi Mangione.
Details of the Alleged Escape Plot
According to sources speaking to ABC News, Anderson arrived at the prison's intake area and informed guards that he possessed documents 'signed by a judge' authorising Mangione's immediate release. The criminal complaint against Anderson states that he told personnel he had weapons in his backpack, which upon inspection contained only a barbecue fork and a pizza cutter.
Questionable Credentials Presented
When prison staff requested to see his official identification, Anderson allegedly produced a driver's licence and 'threw' papers at them, failing to provide any legitimate FBI credentials. Although the formal complaint does not explicitly name Mangione as the intended target of this escape attempt, multiple sources have confirmed that the inmate was indeed the focus of this bizarre scheme.
Background on Luigi Mangione
Luigi Mangione has been detained at the Brooklyn prison since his arrest in 2024, following the shooting death of Brian Thompson, chief executive of UnitedHealthcare. The fatal incident occurred outside a Hilton hotel in Manhattan, with Mangione subsequently apprehended at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, just five days after the shooting.
Legal Proceedings and Potential Penalties
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him and faces both state and federal proceedings, with the possibility of the death penalty being considered in his case. He is scheduled to appear in court this Friday, while Mark Anderson will make his own court appearance later today to address the charges related to the alleged prison escape attempt.
This unusual incident highlights ongoing security concerns within detention facilities and raises questions about verification procedures for individuals claiming to represent federal agencies. The combination of improvised 'weapons' and forged documentation presents a particularly peculiar aspect to this failed escape plot.
