Federal prosecutors say the illegal immigrant who stole Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s $4,000 Gucci handbag is now likely to be removed from the United States after admitting to the crime.
Mario Bustamante-Leiva, 49, pleaded guilty Friday to a series of thefts carried out on April 12, 17, and 20 in Washington, DC. One of those thefts included taking Noem’s designer bag—which reportedly contained $3,000 in cash—while she was eating Easter dinner with her family at the Capital Burger.
According to court documents, the Chilean national admitted to wire fraud, aiding and abetting, and first-degree theft as part of a plea deal. Although the charges could technically result in decades of prison time, prosecutors said federal sentencing guidelines place his likely punishment between six months and three and a half years. The guidelines also call for up to $9,500 in fines, $3,174 in forfeitures, and restitution to be set by the judge. The court is not required to follow the guidelines and may impose a lighter or harsher sentence.
Because Bustamante-Leiva was in the country illegally, prosecutors noted he is expected to face deportation after completing his prison term.
Authorities also revealed that Bustamante-Leiva has eight prior convictions abroad and has served six separate jail sentences in Chile and the United Kingdom. In the DC theft spree, he was accused of stealing purses from three victims and then using the stolen credit cards to pay for hotels, meals, and alcohol.
His co-defendant, Cristian Montecino-Sanzana—also alleged to be in the country illegally—pleaded guilty Friday to wire fraud and aiding and abetting in connection with the April 12 theft of a purse at a Nando’s restaurant. Prosecutors say Montecino-Sanzana was not involved in the theft of Secretary Noem’s bag.
Investigators believe Bustamante-Leiva is tied to a larger East Coast robbery crew. Earlier this year, he was accused in New York of stealing a fanny pack from a Times Square food shop and running up $1,200 in charges. He was also linked to a 2015 case in London involving $28,000 worth of stolen electronics and valuables.
DC federal Judge Matthew Sharbaugh ordered him held without bond, citing his criminal history and concerns raised by his attempt to secure an emergency passport from the Chilean Consulate shortly after the Washington thefts.
Montecino-Sanzana, who was released into the United States in 2021 despite being issued an “expedited removal” notice, remains free as his case proceeds. His attorney, Carmen Hernandez, said her client “accepted responsibility for the April 12, 2025 offenses, which did not involve Secretary Noem.”
Attorneys for Bustamante-Leiva, the DC U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Secretary Noem’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.