Mangione Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges

UPDATE Aug 14, 2026 11:04 AM CDT

Luigi Mangione has pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione entered the plea Friday during a hastily scheduled Manhattan federal court hearing, the AP reports. At the start of the hearing, Mangione told the judge that he was prepared to plead guilty, reports the New York Times. "Do you feel that your mind is clear today?" Judge Margaret Garnett asked him. "I do," he replied. Mangione read out a statement admitting that he "shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan" and pleaded guilty to both federal charges. Garnett accepted the pleas.

Aug 14, 2026 10:36 AM CDT

The maximum sentence for both stalking charges is life in prison. Garnett said Mangione will be sentenced on Dec. 18. The plea resolves one of two cases against him in connection with Thompson's death. Mangione is scheduled to go on trial Sept. 8 on state murder charges. With his guilty plea in federal court, his lawyers could seek to have the state case thrown out on double jeopardy grounds. Before accepting the plea, Garnett warned Mangione that any sentence in the state case could be added to his federal sentence, the Times reports.

• This story has been updated with new developments.