Luigi Mangione expected to plead guilty to federal stalking charges

Federal charges linked to death of UnitedHealthcare CEO

Published Aug 13, 2026  •  2 minute read

Luigi Mangione attends a pre-trial appearance at Manhattan Criminal Court on August 11, 2026 in New York City. Mangione is accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and faces state and federal murder charges Photo by . (Photo by David Dee Delgado-Pool/Getty Images)

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Luigi Mangione is expected to plead guilty to charges of stalking in connection with the death of a UnitedHealthcare CEO.  

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Mangione, 28, has been accused of the shooting death of Brian Thompson, 50, outside of a New York City hotel on Dec. 4, 2024, as well.  

“At approximately 6:45 a.m., Mangione strategically placed himself in between two cars on West 54th St. and as the victim passed by, Mangione walked up behind the victim and fired several gunshots from a 9mm pistol causing the victim’s death,” the U.S. Department of Justice alleged in a news release. 

Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pa., five days later while sitting in a fast-food restaurant after being recognized by one of the restaurant workers. The Justice Department said that Mangione was allegedly found in possession of a 9mm pistol and “a sound suppressor consistent with the weapon used to kill the victim.” 

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Mangione accused of ‘meticulously’ planning hit

Mangione had no known criminal history prior to the shooting.  

The Justice Department said Mangione allegedly “meticulously planned the execution of Brian Thompson in an effort to initiate a public discussion about the health-care industry.” 

A source familiar with the case said that Mangione met with his lawyers on Thursday morning at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., in advance of Friday’s federal court hearing in Manhattan. Lawyers on both sides and a court spokesperson declined to comment on the case.  

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Double jeopardy

The federal government charged him with interstate stalking resulting in death and stalking through use of interstate facilities resulting in death. Both charges could result in a life sentence. His state charges in New York include second-degree murder and several weapons-related offences.

If he pleads guilty to the federal charges, which he is expected to do on Friday, his attorneys can argue that New York’s double jeopardy law prevents the state from trying him for murder because the state and federal cases stem from the same alleged incident. 

State prosecutors argue their case is distinct and double jeopardy shouldn’t apply. 

His federal trial was scheduled to begin on Jan. 5. His state trial is expected to begin on Sept. 8.  

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