An undocumented immigrant has confessed to stealing a designer handbag belonging to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, a plea that is expected to result in his deportation, as indicated by court documents.
The accused, Mario Bustamante-Leiva, 49, faced allegations of multiple thefts throughout Washington, D.C., from April 12 to April 20. Among these incidents was the theft of Noem’s Gucci bag, which held $3,000 in cash, taken while she was dining with her family on Easter. Bustamante-Leiva reportedly used stolen credit cards to conduct fraudulent transactions following each theft.
On Friday, the Chilean national chose to plead guilty to charges of Wire Fraud, Aiding and Abetting, and First-Degree Theft.
Court documents reveal that Bustamante-Leiva has acknowledged he will be deported from the U.S. once he serves his sentence.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is pictured observing a vehicle inspection during a tour at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego, on March 16, 2025. (Photo: Alex Brandon/Pool via REUTERS)
The offenses Bustamante-Leiva admitted to carry significant penalties. Wire fraud alone can result in up to 20 years in prison and fines reaching $250,000, while first-degree theft is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $25,000. Sentencing guidelines also suggest a fine of up to $9,500, forfeitures totaling $3,174, and additional restitution, which will be decided by the judge.
Federal authorities noted that Bustamante-Leiva also has eight prior convictions abroad and has served seven separate jail terms in Chile and the United Kingdom.
The U.S. Secret Service filed a criminal complaint against Mario Bustamante Leiva on Monday. (Criminal Complaint)
Bustamante-Leiva was arrested April 26 by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service.
According to investigators, Bustamante-Leiva targeted victims at restaurants, stealing purses from the backs of chairs before fleeing.
Mario Bustamante Leiva allegedly pictured with Noem’s bag. (Criminal Complaint)
Noem’s bag was stolen from the floor beside her table at The Capital Burger. It contained $3,000 cash, her driver’s license, passport, medication, makeup bag, blank checks, DHS badge, apartment keys and a Louis Vuitton Clemence wallet.
Security footage showed a white man wearing an N95 mask, dark pants, and a baseball cap grabbing the bag and walking out of the restaurant.
Fox News reached out to the Department of Justice for more information.
