Minnesota man Mark Anderson Charged After Allegedly Impersonating FBI Agent in Attempt to Free High-Profile Inmate

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A Minnesota man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly posing as an FBI agent in a failed attempt to secure the release of a high-profile inmate from a federal detention center, authorities said.

Federal prosecutors identified the suspect as Mark Anderson, 36, of Mankato, Minnesota. Anderson appeared at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn around 6:50 p.m. claiming he had a court order authorizing him to release the inmate, law enforcement officials said.

Anderson presented a Minnesota driver’s license when facility staff asked for federal credentials, then allegedly told officers he had weapons in his bag, according to court documents. A subsequent search revealed a barbecue fork and a circular blade resembling a pizza cutter, prosecutors said.

The items found in the man’s backpack (Picture: US District Court)

He was taken into custody and charged with impersonating a federal officer. Anderson was ordered held without bail after an initial court appearance Thursday in Brooklyn federal court.

Officials confirmed the inmate Anderson was attempting to free was Luigi Mangione, 27, who is being held pending trial on state and federal murder charges in the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione has pleaded not guilty.

Mangione is detained as proceedings continue in both jurisdictions. Federal prosecutors are pursuing charges that could include the death penalty, and a pretrial conference is scheduled later this week.

There was no indication that any law enforcement agency had issued an order for the inmate’s release.