Luigi Mangione pleads guilty to federal stalking charges in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

Luigi Mangione, 28, pleads guilty in Manhattan federal court to federal stalking charges for the December 4, 2024, killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione admits to using a 3D-printed gun and posing as an investor to track Thompson, citing severe back pain and frustrations with the healthcare system. While federal prosecutors seek a life sentence, Mangione's defense files a motion to dismiss his upcoming New York state murder trial on double jeopardy grounds, which state prosecutors vow to contest.

Mangione federal guilty plea

• ▪Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty on August 14, 2026, in Manhattan federal court to federal stalking charges for the December 4, 2024, killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
• ▪Luigi Mangione entered an open guilty plea to federal charges of interstate stalking resulting in death and stalking through use of interstate facilities resulting in death, without any pre-arranged plea deal or incentive from prosecutors.

Stalking charge admission details

• ▪Luigi Mangione stated in court that he targeted Brian Thompson after enduring years of severe back pain and navigating obstacles within the health insurance system.
• ▪Luigi Mangione admitted in court that he used a 3D-printed gun equipped with a silencer to shoot Brian Thompson in Manhattan on the morning of December 4, 2024.
• ▪Luigi Mangione admitted to emailing UnitedHealthcare prior to the December 2024 conference while posing as an investor to obtain details about the event's location to track Brian Thompson.

Maximum life sentence sought

• ▪Federal prosecutors announced they will seek the maximum penalty of life in prison without parole for Luigi Mangione at his sentencing scheduled for December 18, 2026.
• ▪U.S. District Judge Margaret M. Garnett accepted Luigi Mangione's guilty plea after finding him fully competent and confirming he understood he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Separate state murder prosecution

• ▪The Manhattan District Attorney's office stated on August 14, 2026, that it remains committed to prosecuting Luigi Mangione on state murder charges despite his federal guilty plea.
• ▪Luigi Mangione still faces eight state charges in New York, including second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon, with a trial scheduled to begin with jury selection on September 8, 2026.

Double jeopardy dismissal motion

• ▪Defense attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo argued that New York's double jeopardy protections should bar state prosecution because Luigi Mangione has accepted full responsibility for a single tragic event.
• ▪Following the federal guilty plea on August 14, 2026, Luigi Mangione's defense attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the New York state murder charges on double jeopardy grounds.

Thompson family court reaction

• ▪The family of Brian Thompson released a statement calling Luigi Mangione's federal guilty plea an important step toward justice and expressing gratitude that the federal system held him accountable.
• ▪Brian Thompson's wife, Paulette Thompson, attended the August 14, 2026, federal court hearing, wiping away tears as Luigi Mangione detailed the shooting.