World January 29, 2026

Minnesota Man Arrested After Allegedly Posing as FBI Agent to Free Brooklyn Detainee

Federal complaint says suspect arrived at Brooklyn facility with a pizza cutter and a purported court order in effort to release Luigi Mangione

By Marcus Reed
Minnesota Man Arrested After Allegedly Posing as FBI Agent to Free Brooklyn Detainee

A man from Mankato, Minnesota, was taken into custody after allegedly impersonating an FBI agent at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn while attempting to secure the release of detainee Luigi Mangione. Federal court filings state the suspect arrived carrying a pizza cutter and asserting he had a court order; he faces charges of impersonating an FBI agent and is due to appear in court Thursday. Mangione, 27, is awaiting trial on charges connected to the 2024 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and has received public support while in custody.

Key Points

  • A man from Mankato, Minnesota, was arrested after allegedly impersonating an FBI agent at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
  • The suspect, identified as Mark Anderson, reportedly arrived with a pizza cutter and claimed to possess a court order to free Luigi Mangione, who is awaiting trial for the 2024 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
  • Federal prosecutors have charged Anderson with impersonating an FBI agent; he is scheduled to appear in federal court on Thursday.

Brooklyn, New York - A Minnesota man was arrested Wednesday evening after an incident at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn in which he allegedly posed as an FBI agent in an effort to obtain the release of a federal detainee, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court.

The defendant is identified in court papers as Mark Anderson, a resident of Mankato, Minnesota. Authorities allege Anderson arrived at the detention center carrying a pizza cutter and claimed to possess a court order authorizing the release of Luigi Mangione, who is being held pending trial.

Federal prosecutors have charged Anderson with impersonating an FBI agent. Court filings indicate he is scheduled to appear in federal court on Thursday. The complaint lodged in federal court provides the primary public account of the events leading to his arrest.

Luigi Mangione, 27, is awaiting trial on allegations related to the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. While in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center, Mangione has been the recipient of an outpouring of public attention. Records and the complaint note that Mangione has received monetary contributions to a legal defense fund, in addition to a steady stream of written correspondence. Authorities have documented that the facility received letters, books, and personal photographs sent to him while he has been detained.

The charges against Anderson are limited to impersonating an FBI agent as set forth in the federal complaint. The complaint and subsequent charging documents form the basis for the current prosecution, and court appearances will proceed pursuant to the federal docket.


Case status and next steps

  • Anderson faces federal charges of impersonating an FBI agent and is due in court Thursday, according to federal prosecutors.
  • Mangione remains in federal custody pending trial on charges tied to the 2024 death of Brian Thompson.
  • The criminal complaint filed in federal court is the source document outlining the allegations against Anderson.

This account is based on the contents of the criminal complaint and statements from federal prosecutors. Where details are limited in the complaint, this report reflects those limits rather than expanding beyond available information.

Risks

  • Potential for copycat incidents or security challenges at detention facilities - impacts the corrections and law enforcement sectors.
  • Legal uncertainty as the matter proceeds through federal court - impacts the judicial and legal services sectors.
  • Heightened public attention on high-profile detainees may strain facility resources handling incoming correspondence and donations - impacts correctional administration and compliance functions.

More from World

Greenland’s premier says U.S. still aims for control despite ruling out military action Feb 2, 2026 Kremlin says Russia has long offered to process or store Iran’s enriched uranium Feb 2, 2026 Long-Awaited Rafah Reopening Prompts Hope and Anxiety Among Palestinians Stranded Across Border Feb 2, 2026 Rafah Reopens but Core Questions Persist Over Implementation of Trump’s Gaza Blueprint Feb 2, 2026 Rafah Crossing Reopens on Foot with Strict Limits as Gaza Remains Under Strain Feb 2, 2026