Trending Now - Thief of Kristi Noem's Purse Sentenced to Three Years in Prison
WHO:
Boston.com - Kristi Noem, then-Homeland Security Secretary
ABC News - Mario Bustamante Leiva, 50-year-old native of Chile, and Cristian Montecino-Sananza, a second suspect
WHAT:
Boston.com - Mario Bustamante Leiva was sentenced to three years in prison for stealing Kristi Noem's purse.
ABC News - Bustamante Leiva stole Noem's Gucci handbag containing credit cards and approximately $3,000 in cash.
ABC News - Bustamante Leiva pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud and one count of first-degree theft.
ABC News - Cristian Montecino-Sananza was sentenced to 13 months of incarceration for his involvement in one of the other thefts.
WHERE:
Boston.com - The theft occurred at a restaurant in Washington, D.C.
ABC News - Bustamante Leiva's stolen purse was recovered from his motel room.
WHEN:
ABC News - The purse was stolen in April 2025.
ABC News - Bustamante Leiva was sentenced on Wednesday, April 20th, 2026.
ABC News - Bustamante Leiva pleaded guilty in November 2025.
WHY:
ABC News - U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated that Bustamante Leiva "came to Washington illegally to prey on citizens of the district."
HOW:
ABC News - Bustamante Leiva stole the purse while Noem was dining with her family under the protection of Secret Service agents.
ABC News - Investigators identified Bustamante Leiva as a suspect after he used a stolen gift card to make a purchase.
(UPDATED April 23, 2026 15:38 UTC)
Mario Bustamante Leiva has been sentenced to three years in prison for stealing a Gucci handbag belonging to Kristi Noem while she was dining with her family in Washington, D.C., in on Monday25. The purse, which contained credit cards and about $3,000 in cash, was recovered from Bustamante Leiva's motel room after he pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including wire fraud and first-degree theft, in November 20th25. Cristian Montecino-Sananza, another suspect involved in a separate theft, received a 13-month sentence for his role in the crimes.