On April 26, 2024, Mario Bustamante-Leiva, a 49-year-old Chilean national, was arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service for a series of thefts across Washington, D.C., during the first week of April. The thefts included the unauthorized removal of an expensive Gucci handbag from U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s person while she was dining with her family at a local restaurant, which occurred on Easter Day. The handbag contained not only $3,000 in cash but also a variety of personal items, including Noem’s driver’s license, passport, medication, a makeup bag, blank checks, a DHS badge, and a Louis Vuitton Clemence wallet.
According to the Department of Justice, Bustamante-Leiva pleaded guilty to wire fraud, aiding and abetting, and first-degree theft. He acknowledged in court that his presence in the United States is ‘removable,’ indicating his potential deportation following sentencing. The court records have detailed the charges, including the potential for up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for wire fraud, and up to 10 years in prison with a $25,000 fine for each first-degree theft. The sentencing recommendations also included a fine of up to $9,500, forfeitures up to $3,174, and additional restitution as determined by the judge.
Bustamante-Leiva’s criminal history outside the U.S. is extensive. He has eight prior convictions in Chile and has served seven separate jail sentences in that country, with additional charges in the United Kingdom. This history has been cited as a factor in his deportability, which is a primary consideration in immigration court proceedings. The case was notable for its execution, as security footage captured a white man in an N95 mask, dark pants, and a baseball cap snatching the bag and fleeing the restaurant.
Noem made public statements describing the theft as ‘professionally done,’ raising questions about the methods used to commit such crimes in public spaces. The case has sparked discussions about security in crowded urban settings and the challenges faced by law enforcement in preventing such thefts. The Department of Justice emphasized that the sentencing will include the full range of penalties, which could lead to a lengthy prison term. The incident has also prompted calls for increased security measures at public venues, particularly in locations where high-profile individuals are present.
While the full sentence was not yet determined, the guilty plea has set the stage for a potential deportation process. The Department of Justice indicated it would proceed with the immigration consequences of the charges, which could include removal orders. The full details of the sentencing remain pending, though the court has indicated that the sentencing will include penalties, fines, and potential restitution as part of the legal process.