Chilean Immigrant Pleads Guilty in Secretary Noem’s Handbag Theft Case
In a significant development within a case that garnered national attention, Mario Bustamante-Leiva has pleaded guilty to stealing Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s Gucci handbag, along with other serious charges. The 49-year-old Chilean national admitted to conducting a string of thefts throughout Washington, D.C. over an eight-day period in April, targeting unsuspecting diners at restaurants across the capital. His guilty plea, entered on Friday, encompasses charges of wire fraud, aiding and abetting, and first-degree theft—crimes that carry potentially severe consequences, including up to 20 years in prison and substantial financial penalties. Perhaps most significantly for Bustamante-Leiva, the plea agreement acknowledges his removability from the United States once his sentence is completed, setting the stage for his eventual deportation.
The case gained prominence not only because it involved a high-ranking government official but also because of the brazen nature of the crime. On Easter Sunday, while Secretary Noem was dining with family at The Capital Burger restaurant, Bustamante-Leiva seized an opportunity to take her luxury handbag, which had been placed on the floor beside her table. The stolen bag contained far more than just the $3,000 in cash that was inside—it also held Noem’s driver’s license, passport, medication, a Louis Vuitton wallet, blank checks, apartment keys, and most concerningly, her official Department of Homeland Security badge. Security footage from the restaurant captured the theft in progress, showing a man wearing an N95 mask, dark pants, and a baseball cap making off with the secretary’s belongings in what Noem herself later described as a “professionally done” theft.
The authorities’ investigation revealed a pattern of similar thefts throughout Washington during the same timeframe, with Bustamante-Leiva specifically targeting restaurant patrons. His modus operandi involved stealthily removing purses and bags that were either hanging on chairs or placed beside diners who were distracted by their meals and companions. Following the thefts, he would quickly put the stolen credit cards to use, making fraudulent purchases before victims could report their cards as stolen. This methodical approach suggests a level of criminal sophistication that is further supported by Bustamante-Leiva’s extensive international criminal record, which includes eight prior convictions and seven separate jail sentences served in Chile and the United Kingdom.
The arrest of Bustamante-Leiva came on April 26, following coordinated efforts between the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service. The investigation had successfully connected multiple theft reports occurring between April 12 and April 20, with Noem’s high-profile case being just one among several. The sentencing guidelines for Bustamante-Leiva’s crimes recommend not only prison time but also a fine of up to $9,500, forfeitures totaling approximately $3,174, and additional restitution to be determined by the presiding judge. These penalties reflect the seriousness with which the justice system views these offenses, particularly given the defendant’s extensive criminal history and the sensitive nature of some of the stolen items.
The case has inadvertently highlighted issues related to immigration enforcement, particularly as it involves individuals with criminal histories who are present in the country illegally. Bustamante-Leiva’s acknowledgment of his deportability in the plea agreement raises questions about how he was able to enter and remain in the United States despite his extensive criminal record abroad. The irony that the Secretary of Homeland Security—the very official whose department oversees aspects of immigration enforcement—became a victim in this case has not been lost on observers. This convergence of immigration policy and crime has added a layer of political complexity to what might otherwise have been viewed as a straightforward theft case.
As Bustamante-Leiva awaits sentencing, the case serves as a reminder of the personal impact of crime, even for those in positions of power. Secretary Noem’s experience—losing not only valuable personal items but also potentially sensitive government credentials—underscores the vulnerability that all individuals face, regardless of their status or security measures. For Bustamante-Leiva, whose international criminal career appears to be coming to an end with this plea agreement, the consequences extend beyond whatever prison sentence he receives to include permanent removal from the United States. Meanwhile, for restaurants and diners in Washington and elsewhere, the case highlights the importance of remaining vigilant about personal belongings, even in seemingly secure environments where such professional thieves might be operating.
