A Chilean national, Mario Bustamante Leiva (50), has once again made headlines following a purse theft incident involving U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, at a high-end Washington D.C. restaurant. Leiva is now facing the possibility of deportation from the United States due to his criminal activities.
Leiva has a long history of criminal convictions, having previously been prosecuted in both the United Kingdom and Chile for theft-related offenses. Recently, he admitted in a plea agreement that he stole Noem’s Gucci handbag, which contained her ID, passport, security badge, and $3,000 in cash, while Noem and her family were dining at the restaurant.
According to reports from The Washington Post, Leiva acknowledged in the plea agreement that he stole from three individuals in Washington D.C. last April, including Secretary Noem. The other two victims were a woman from Spain and a woman from Massachusetts.
Last week, Leiva pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud and first-degree theft. Under the terms of the plea agreement, once his sentence is served, he will be considered eligible for deportation from the United States.
Leiva has been in custody since his arrest in April, with his sentencing scheduled for March next year, according to The New York Post.
Comments from Kristi Noem and Government Response
In a statement, Secretary Noem described Leiva as:
“A professional criminal who has been living in our country illegally for many years. Unfortunately, many families have been victims of such crimes. That is why President Trump works every day to keep America safe and to remove criminal foreigners from our streets.”
Authorities have reported that Leiva used the stolen credit card at an Italian restaurant in Georgetown. The complaint notes that he dined until midnight and later slept for seven hours at a table outside the restaurant.
Leiva’s Criminal Background
- 1995: Served three years in Chile for robbery.
- London: Convicted in at least seven theft cases, including a 13-week sentence in 2013.
- United States: Active involvement in theft, wire fraud, and other criminal offenses.
Experts suggest that Leiva’s long-standing criminal record and repeated offenses make him a prime candidate for deportation from the U.S.
Following this high-profile incident, U.S. authorities have emphasized that stricter measures will be taken to monitor foreign criminals and ensure public safety, signaling heightened vigilance against international offenders operating on American soil.
