Man Sentenced to Three Years for Stealing Kristi Noem's Purse in DC
A man named Mario Bustamante Leiva has been sentenced to three years in prison for stealing a purse from then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at a Washington, D.C. restaurant. The incident occurred in April 2025 while Noem was dining with her family under the protection of Secret Service agents. The purse, a Gucci handbag, contained credit cards and approximately $3,000 in cash. It was later recovered from Leiva's motel room. Leiva, a 50-year-old Chilean national, did not recognize Noem at the time of the theft. He pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud and one count of first-degree theft, having also been involved in other thefts and fraudulent credit card charges. U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden imposed the sentence, and Leiva faces deportation following his prison term. 
