Migrant Receives Three-Year Prison Term for Stealing Kristi Noem's Designer Handbag
A migrant from Chile has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for orchestrating a string of purse thefts in Washington, D.C., which notably included the theft of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's Gucci handbag. Mario Bustamante Leiva, 50, received the 36-month sentence on Wednesday, with prosecutors confirming he will face deportation upon completing his prison term.
Details of the Theft and Prosecution
According to the Justice Department, Bustamante Leiva pleaded guilty in November to three counts of wire fraud and one count of first-degree theft. His criminal spree targeted women dining at restaurants across the Washington area over three days in April 2025. Prosecutors detailed that he would surveil his victims, steal purses containing wallets, credit cards, and personal identification, and then rapidly use the stolen cards for fraudulent purchases.
The most high-profile incident occurred on April 20, 2025, when Bustamante Leiva stole Noem's purse from under her feet as she dined with her family at Capital Burger. The purse contained approximately $3,000 in cash and multiple credit cards. At the time, the thief was unaware the victim was the former DHS secretary.
Noem's Account and Aftermath
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson recounted to the New York Times that Noem initially mistook the theft for her grandchildren playing, only realizing her bag was gone a minute later. "She could feel this person as they snatched her bag, but thought they were her grandchildren playing until realizing a minute later that her bag was gone," the spokesperson said. The perpetrator used his foot to hook and drag the bag across the floor before concealing it with a coat and taking it.
Security footage later captured Bustamante Leiva at another restaurant with Noem's purse, wallet, and at least one of her credit cards, which he used for an unauthorized purchase. He was arrested at a motel six days after the theft.
Additional Crimes and Legal Arguments
The Justice Department linked Bustamante Leiva to two other purse thefts, one involving his co-defendant, Cristian Montecino-Sanzana. Montecino-Sanzana was sentenced in March to 13 months in prison and three years of supervised release, also facing deportation afterward.
In a sentencing memo filed last week, Bustamante Leiva's attorney argued that his client's actions were driven by alcohol addiction, not sophisticated planning. "Immediately after his arrest, Mr. Bustamante Leiva went through a period of serious and life-threatening alcohol withdrawal. But he has since become sober," the filing stated. The attorney contended the case reflected a man battling addiction rather than one seeking to enrich himself through calculated fraud.
Background and Legal Status
Bustamante Leiva entered the United States in August 2021 but remained illegally after his visa waiver expired in November 2021. The Justice Department also noted he has active warrants in Utah and New York from 2021 charges related to retail theft, credit card theft, and stolen property.
The Independent has reached out to attorneys representing both Bustamante Leiva and Montecino-Sanzana for further comment on the sentencing and deportation proceedings.
