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Thief sentenced in high-profile Washington DC theft
A 50-year-old man from Chile has been handed a three-year prison term for stealing a handbag belonging to former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a dinner in the nation's capital last April.
How the theft unfolded
Noem, who also served as governor of South Dakota, was dining at Capital Burger, a well-known Washington DC restaurant, when Mario Bustamante Leiva took her Gucci bag. The handbag, which was placed under her seat, contained $3,000 in cash, her driver's license, passport, and a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) access badge.
According to prosecutors, Bustamante Leiva was unaware of Noem's identity when he committed the theft. He reportedly used a coat draped over his arm to conceal his actions while pickpocketing.
A pattern of theft
Investigators linked Bustamante Leiva to the crime after he used a stolen credit card to purchase a gift card. Authorities later recovered Noem's bag from his motel room.
The U.S. Justice Department stated that Bustamante Leiva had a history of theft, often making purchases with victims' credit cards within minutes of stealing them. He pleaded guilty in November to three counts of wire fraud and one count of first-degree theft.
Legal consequences and deportation
Following his prison sentence, Bustamante Leiva will face deportation to Chile, as he was in the U.S. illegally at the time of the crimes. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro condemned his actions, stating, "Bustamante Leiva came to Washington illegally to prey on citizens of the district. His pattern of theft ends here."
The Secret Service, which provides protection for cabinet officials, assisted in the investigation alongside local police. Officers were present at the restaurant when Noem's bag was stolen.
