The man who stole Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s bag may face immigration enforcement action.
Mario Bustamante-Leiva is a 49-year-old illegal immigrant who is accused of committing a series of thefts around Washington D.C., when he made the unfortunate decision to target Noem during an Easter meal with her family. After stealing her Gucci bag, which held $3,000 cash, her driver’s license, medication, a passport, work badge, apartment keys, blank checks, makeup bag, and a Louis Vuitton Clemence wallet, the Chilean national sealed his fate with a guilty plea to charges of wire fraud, aiding and abetting and first-degree theft.
Court filings also indicate that Bustamante-Leiva admitted that he is “removable from the United States upon the completion of the sentence imposed in this case.” He reportedly has a history of eight prior convictions in countries around the world, including his home country, Chile and the United Kingdom.
“The charges carry steep penalties, including up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines for wire fraud and up to 10 years and $25,000 in fines for first-degree theft. Sentencing guidelines also recommend a fine of up to $9,500, forfeitures up to $3,174, and additional restitution to be determined by the judge,” Fox News reported.
Investigators revealed that the illegal immigrant would target restaurant patrons, stealing their bags and then allegedly using their credit cards to make fraudulent purchases.
It is very likely that once he is finished serving his sentence, Bustamante-Leiva will be deported back to Chile, given President Donald Trump’s strict enforcement of federal immigration laws.
X users had a lot to say:
— ChurchsSermons (@churchs_sermons) November 25, 2025
America keeps getting a little safer every day thanks to the efforts of the @ICEgov and @CBP teams!
— American Assn of Retired Republicans ℠(@aarr_org) November 25, 2025
Wait what?? They didn’t deport him first? No way! The math ain’t mathing
— S3V3N’s mom (@Seven_Marlo) November 25, 2025
Well, he certainly has a story to tell when he gets back to his local bar, so hard to believe he could be so stupid man pick her to Rob
— Parnell Galant. (@ParnellGalant) November 25, 2025
I’m sure the Democrats will give him a parade.
— Molly Pitcher (@AmericanMama86) April 27, 2025
El Salvador is calling.
— John Hawkins (@johnhawkinsrwn) April 27, 2025
Sound like we need to setup a sting operation in a lot of cities.
— Reef (@Reefmetax) April 27, 2025
Omg!
Clearly… that segment out of control.
But, how did he know she was at that restaurant.
Allowed to move even close to her table.
Was this a setup…from….?— Verna Smith (@VernaPolitics) April 27, 2025
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to write. Marlee also contributes to BizPac Review.
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