If you thought the gay community’s obsession with Luigi Mangione had peaked, wait until you hear about the man who tried to break the murder suspect out of a New York jail, armed with nothing more than a pizza cutter, a barbecue fork, and a bold imagination.
In an audacious — and almost comedic — attempt, 36-year-old Mark Anderson impersonated a federal agent and entered the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, claiming he had official documents ordering the release of inmate Luigi Mangione.
Mangione is currently awaiting federal and state trials for the alleged shooting and murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024. The incident has drawn national attention, and now, Anderson’s failed jailbreak is making headlines of its own.
According to ABC News, Anderson presented himself as an FBI agent and handed staff at the Bureau of Prisons a fake court order, which he claimed was “signed by a judge.” When asked for identification, he provided a Minnesota driver’s licence instead of federal credentials, then threw a stack of questionable documents at staff.
The ruse didn’t end there.
Authorities say Anderson also claimed to be carrying weapons in his bag. Upon inspection, the only “weapons” found were a circular blade resembling a pizza cutter and a barbecue fork.
Unsurprisingly, Anderson’s plan failed. He was arrested and charged on Thursday with impersonating a federal officer. His wild story is now being compared to something straight out of a Hollywood comedy.
In a related update, federal prosecutors will not be able to pursue the death penalty against Mangione. Judge Margaret Garnett ruled on Friday that, despite pressure from the Trump administration, the punishment will not be considered in his upcoming trial.
