Florida mom accused of Luigi Mangione ‘copycat’ crime weeps in court after arrest

A Florida mother of three is facing jail time over allegedly threatening her health insurance provider.

In what is being reported as a “copycat” crime in the wake of the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Briana Boston was charged with “threats to conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism” when BlueCross BlueShield rejected her medical claim.

The 42-year-old Lakeland woman, who seemed shocked in court when she learned her fate, was heard saying, “Delay, deny, depose. You people are next,” in a recorded call with the company, according to the Lakeland Police Department.

(Video Credit: WFLA News Channel 8)

The incident came days after the arrest of 26-year-old Ivy League graduate Luigi Mangione who has been charged with Thompson’s murder. Shell casings at the scene of the New York City murder reportedly had the words “delay,” “deny,” and “depose” on them.

“The apparent messages found on the bullets could be a reference to tactics that legal experts say the insurance industry uses to avoid paying claims,” FOX 13 Tampa Bay reported. “Insurance critics call these the ‘Three D’s’ – delay, deny and defend – referring to insurers delaying payment on healthcare claims, denying claims and defending their actions.”

Boston told police who came to her home that she did not own firearms and was not dangerous. She also reportedly apologized for what she had allegedly said, according to Fox 13.

“According to an arrest affidavit, Boston said healthcare companies played games and deserved karma from the world because they are evil,” the outlet noted. “The officer who went to Boston’s home said, based on current events, he believed her statement was meant to threaten the insurance company using the UnitedHealthcare CEO’s homicide to her advantage.”

The interaction with BlueCross BlueShield on December 10 reportedly prompted an immediate call to the police from the insurance company. The Lakeland PD then contacted the FBI.

“She’s been in this world long enough that she certainly should know better that you can’t make threats like that in the current environment that we live in and think that we’re not going to follow up and put you in jail,” said Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor.

Boston’s attorney asked the judge to “release her on her own recognizance” noting her lack of prior convictions. The judge, however, emphasized the seriousness of the charges, saying, “I do find that the bond of $100,000 is appropriate considering the status of our country at this point.”

“I think it’s an overcharge,” one attorney told Fox 13.

“In reality, there’s nothing in her communication that specifically says she’s going to commit a mass shooting,” Anthony Rickman said. “I think it more falls on the free speech line, on protected speech. Although stupid, although ignorant, something you shouldn’t say, the law allows you to say stupid, ignorant things, and even violent things, as long as it’s not what’s considered a true threat.”

“It’s political hyperbole,” he contended.

“If you post something stupid on Twitter, and it’s read by somebody who may work for some company, and they’re taking it as a threat, then are we going to go and arrest every person on Twitter, because they say stupid things?” Rickman asked. “This case is like that. It’s somebody who talked to an individual she doesn’t know, has never met, has never even spoken to and said words that a lot of people are uttering on social media.”

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Frieda Powers

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Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.

Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.

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