UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, Mario Bustamante-Leiva, a 49-year-old illegal immigrant, has pleaded guilty to multiple crimes, including the theft of a luxury handbag belonging to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. This guilty plea, confirmed in court records today, sets the stage for his likely deportation due to both his admission of guilt and prior criminal history.
The theft occurred during a family dinner on Easter Sunday at The Capital Burger in Washington D.C.. Bustamante-Leiva is accused of lifting Noem’s Gucci bag, which contained $3,000 in cash, her driver’s license, passport, and other personal items. Authorities report that the theft is part of a broader crime spree, with Bustamante-Leiva allegedly targeting victims at restaurants between April 12 and April 20, 2023.
According to court filings, Bustamante-Leiva has a history of crime, having accumulated eight prior convictions abroad and serving time in both Chile and the United Kingdom. His recent guilty plea includes charges of wire fraud, aiding and abetting, and first-degree theft, which carry severe penalties, including up to 20 years in prison and fines reaching $250,000 for wire fraud.
The legal ramifications are significant. Bustamante-Leiva acknowledged in court that he is “removable from the United States upon the completion of the sentence imposed in this case.” His actions have raised alarms not just for the theft itself, but for the implications surrounding immigration law and public safety.
In a statement, Noem described the incident as “professionally done,” highlighting the calculated nature of the theft. Security footage from the restaurant captured Bustamante-Leiva, who wore an N95 mask and baseball cap, as he snatched the bag from the floor beside Noem’s table.
With sentencing on the horizon, which is expected to include fines and restitution, the case continues to unfold. Federal authorities are actively pursuing Bustamante-Leiva, who was arrested on April 26 by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service.
This developing story underscores ongoing concerns about crime in urban areas and the enforcement of immigration laws. The public is left to wonder what impact this case may have on discussions regarding illegal immigration and public safety measures in the future.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
