Briana Boston arrested over ‘Delay, Deny, Depose’ threat: Affidavit
A Florida woman is facing charges after she allegedly made threatening statements to an insurance company by using a phrase police believe is a reference to evidence found in connection to the fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO in New York City.
Briana Boston, 42, of Lakeland, was charged with threats to conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by USA TODAY.
On Dec. 10, the FBI contacted Lakeland Police about the threat. Boston is said to have called BlueCross BlueShield regarding recent medical claims that were denied.
During the end of the recorded conversation, Boston is accused of stating: “Delay, Deny, Depose. You people are next,” according to police documents.
UnitedHealthcare shooting:Evidence against Luigi Mangione being heard by grand jury, reports say: Updates
The phrase was reportedly found on the shell casings connected to the UnitedHealthcare CEO’s death
The affidavit noted the phrase is the same one that was marked on bullet casings recovered from the scene where Brian Thompson was killed in Midtown Manhattan earlier this month.
Law enforcement officials said the casings had the words “deny” defend” and “depose” on them.”
“This information was released to the media and became a nationally recognized phrase directed against insurance companies,” the affidavit says.
Following a days-long search, Luigi Mangione was taken into custody in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after local police received a tip from a McDonald’s employee. He was charged with murder and other felonies.
Boston admitted to using the phrase during the recorded call, police say
According to the affidavit, when police contacted Boston at her home, she allegedly confessed and apologized for using the phrase.
“Boston stated she used those words because it’s what is in the news right now,” the affidavit stated. “Boston advised she learned of the phrase because of the current events regarding the UnitedHealthcare homicide. Boston further stated she did not own any firearms, and she was not a danger to anyone.”
However, when speaking to the police, she added that healthcare insurance companies “played games” and “deserved karma from the world because they are evil.”
Boston receives bond
During her first court date, her lawyer, Jim Headley, argued for her release, mentioning that she’s a mother of three with no criminal history, WFLA reported. Despite this, the judge still gave her a bond.
“I do find that the bond of $100,000 is appropriate considering the status of our country at this point,” the judge said, per the outlet.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected].
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