Latest news with #BustamanteLeiva
Boston Globe
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Federal judge orders pretrial detention for man accused of stealing Kristi Noem's purse
Video captured Bustamante Leiva taking Noem's purse while she dined at a restaurant in Washington, D.C., on April 20, investigators said. Bustamante Leiva also is charged with stealing purses from two other people at other restaurants earlier last month. Prosecutors didn't argue that Leiva poses any danger to the public. One of his attorneys, Ubong Akpan, said purse snatching is 'not the most serious case that we have in the federal courts.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'He didn't even speak to anyone or touch a complaining witness,' she told the magistrate. Advertisement Sharbaugh said the charges are serious, but he acknowledged that the amount of money that Leiva is accused of stealing is relatively small compared to other federal fraud cases. A Secret Service agent's affidavit said Bustamante Leiva used Noem's stolen credit cards to buy over $200 in food and alcohol at a different restaurant. But the indictment says that the amount of that unauthorized charge was just over $15. The agent's affidavit doesn't name Noem, but the information in court records matches details of the theft from her. In a statement, Noem referred to the suspect as a 'a career criminal who has been in our country illegally for years.' Advertisement Authorities said there was no evidence Noem was targeted because of her position. A prosecutor, Benjamin Helfand, said Leiva has a history of skipping court dates for similar offenses, doesn't have any ties to Washington and appears to be 'almost transient.' Akpan said Leiva has ties to New York and New Jersey. Akpan said a language barrier could explain why Leiva missed a recent court date after his arrest in a theft case in New York. Police and federal agents arrested Bustamante Leiva on April 26. He and a second suspect, Cristian Montecino-Sananza, were indicted last Thursday. Montecino-Sananza isn't charged in the count related to the theft of Noem's purse. The affidavit said Bustamante Leiva appeared to be 'acting in concert' with a second suspect during one of the other thefts. Investigators said they identified Bustamante Leiva as a suspect in the thefts after he used a stolen gift card to make a purchase at a motel. He was shown a photo of Noem and told investigators that he didn't know who she was, according to the affidavit. Investigators said they recovered Noem's purse and wallet from his motel room. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged an immigration detainer against Bustamante Leiva. The case against him is assigned to U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, who was nominated by Republican President Donald Trump.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Documents reveal details on theft of Noem's purse
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A suspect has been charged in the theft of Secretary Kristi Noem's purse from a Washington, D.C. over Easter. The identified suspect is a Chilean National who authorities say is in the U.S. illegally. Mario Bustamante Leiva, 49, is charged with wire fraud, identity theft and robbery, according to court documents about the case. Trump's view differs with Native American Day in SD The Secret Service was with the Noem on the day of the crime and led the investigation which was classified as 'Robbery Stealth.' Investigators used surveillance video to track Bustamante Leiva as he made his way through Washington, D.C. The man – often seen in a medical mask – is accused of three robberies between April 12 and April 20. Noem was listed as the third victim. Court documents say he would often carry a coat in his arms and use it to conceal the stolen items. The first victim had her purse on the back of her chair, he walks behind her and then her purse was gone. Surveillance from the second crime shows a man believed to be Bustamante Leiva standing behind seated customers. Investigators say he reached into a bag and grabbed what appeared to be a wallet On Easter Sunday, Noem brought her husband, children and grandchildren to The Capital Burger restaurant. Court documents say Bustamante Leiva sat in the seat closest to the Noem and her family. 'We were with a big family and 4 kids under the age of 4 and I had it right between my feet,' said Noem in an interview with CBS. Court documents say Bustamante Leiva eventually used his left leg to slide the purse towards him. In images released by investigators, the yellow circle on the left shows Noem's handbag under her chair. In a circle on the right of the image, the purse is no longer there. The purse contained Noem's driver's license, passport, DHS access badge and $3,000 in cash. 'He was professional in how he took it,' Noem said in an interview with CBS. 'And you know we are just glad that now that he's in custody because of so many other crimes he's committed.' After leaving the restaurant, authorities believe Bustamante Leiva got rid of Noem's driver's license and took a bus to an Italian restaurant. Court documents say he sat at the bar for hours with Noem's purse and wallet beside him. Investigators believe he used Noem's American Express card – circled in yellow in a photo – to buy food and alcohol totaling $205.87 Court documents say Bustamante Leiva used stolen credit cards to purchase gift cards, which he then used to rent hotel rooms. That's how authorities were able to track him down along with an accomplice. He told investigators he did not know that his third victim was the Secretary of Homeland Security. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
29-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Kristi Noem's alleged bag thief used her credit cards to buy alcohol then fell asleep at a table, charging documents show
An illegal migrant accused of stealing Kristi Noem's Gucci bag allegedly used her AmEx to spend $205 on food and alcohol before falling asleep at a restaurant table. Mario Bustamante Leiva, 49, allegedly targeted three different people between April 12 and 20, during the time he is accused of snatching the Homeland Security Secretary's designer bag, which reportedly cost around $4,400. Charging documents filed in federal court on Monday stated that Noem, who is referred to only as 'an individual under the protection of the United States Secret Service,' had been dining at the Capital Burger restaurant when the incident happened. Noem's handbag contained $3,000 in cash, a Louis Vuitton wallet, her DHS access badge, apartment keys, passport, blank checks, and other personal items. After taking the bag, Bustamante Leiva got the bus to a nearby Italian restaurant, where he made five purchases using several of Noem's American Express cards, the documents stated. Surveillance footage viewed by the Secret Service revealed he had stayed at the restaurant until around midnight, then left and fell asleep at an outdoor table, where he remained until approximately 7:30 a.m. the following morning. Police and federal agents arrested Bustamante Leiva on Saturday and he was charged with aggravated identity theft, robbery and fraud on Monday. Court records didn't immediately list an attorney representing him. The agent's affidavit doesn't name Noem, but the information in court records matches details of the theft from her. Authorities said there was no evidence that Noem had been targeted because of her high-profile status. 'There is no indication it was because of that. It was, frankly, it was a nice-looking purse,' Ed Martin, the Interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, told NBC News. Investigators said they identified Bustamante Leiva as a suspect in the thefts after he used a stolen gift card to make a purchase at a motel. When shown a photo of Noem, he told investigators that he didn't know who she was, according to the affidavit. Investigators said they recovered Noem's purse and wallet from his motel room. In a prepared statement, Noem referred to the suspect as 'a career criminal who has been in our country illegally for years.' After the brazen heist from the Washington, D.C., restaurant on Easter Sunday, questions have swirled as to how this was possible, given that she has a security team. Two plainclothes members of her detail were at the restaurant's bar between the family's table and the front door. Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi told NBC News: 'For the safety of our agents and officers, we are not in a position to confirm or comment at this time. Should criminal charges be filed, the Department of Homeland Security will provide public information in accordance with established procedures.'
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kristi Noem's alleged bag thief spent $205 on food and alcohol on her AmEx before falling asleep at restaurant table, charging documents show
An illegal migrant accused of stealing Kristi Noem's Gucci bag allegedly used her AmEx to spend $205 on food and alcohol before falling asleep at a restaurant table. Mario Bustamante Leiva, 49, allegedly targeted three different people between April 12 and 20, during the time he is accused of snatching the Homeland Security Secretary's designer bag, which reportedly cost around $4,400. Charging documents filed in federal court on Monday stated that Noem, who is referred to only as 'an individual under the protection of the United States Secret Service,' had been dining at the Capital Burger restaurant when the incident happened. Noem's handbag contained $3,000 in cash, a Louis Vuitton wallet, her DHS access badge, apartment keys, passport, blank checks, and other personal items. After taking the bag, Bustamante Leiva got the bus to a nearby Italian restaurant, where he made five purchases using several of Noem's American Express cards, the documents stated. Surveillance footage viewed by the Secret Service revealed he had stayed at the restaurant until around midnight, then left and fell asleep at an outdoor table, where he remained until approximately 7:30 a.m. the following morning. Police and federal agents arrested Bustamante Leiva on Saturday and he was charged with aggravated identity theft, robbery and fraud on Monday. Court records didn't immediately list an attorney representing him. The agent's affidavit doesn't name Noem, but the information in court records matches details of the theft from her. Authorities said there was no evidence that Noem had been targeted because of her high-profile status. 'There is no indication it was because of that. It was, frankly, it was a nice-looking purse,' Ed Martin, the Interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, told NBC News. Investigators said they identified Bustamante Leiva as a suspect in the thefts after he used a stolen gift card to make a purchase at a motel. When shown a photo of Noem, he told investigators that he didn't know who she was, according to the affidavit. Investigators said they recovered Noem's purse and wallet from his motel room. In a prepared statement, Noem referred to the suspect as 'a career criminal who has been in our country illegally for years.' After the brazen heist from the Washington, D.C., restaurant on Easter Sunday, questions have swirled as to how this was possible, given that she has a security team. Two plainclothes members of her detail were at the restaurant's bar between the family's table and the front door. Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi told NBC News: 'For the safety of our agents and officers, we are not in a position to confirm or comment at this time. Should criminal charges be filed, the Department of Homeland Security will provide public information in accordance with established procedures.'
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Federal charges filed against illegal immigrant who allegedly stole Kristi Noem's purse
The U.S. Secret Service filed federal criminal charges against a man accused of snatching Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's purse while she was out with her family on Easter eating lunch. The criminal complaint filed in court on Monday charges 49-year-old Mario Bustamante Leiva with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and robbery. The complaint alleges that Bustamante Leiva committed three robberies between April 12, 2024, and April 20, 2025, and after each robbery, he made fraudulent purchases using the credit cards obtained from each victim. He was ultimately arrested on Saturday by members of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the Secret Service. Suspect Arrested For Alleged Theft Of Kristi Noem's Bag Containing $3K In Cash: Reports Authorities say Bustamante Leiva is an illegally present Chilean national, and in each ruse, he approached victims as they ate in a restaurant, stole their purses from the back of their seats, and then fled the scene. Read On The Fox News App Detectives located video evidence of the thefts, which led them to identify the alleged suspect as Bustamante Leiva. He was arrested on Saturday and initially charged with two counts of robbery, though additional charges were pending for an additional offense being investigated by the Secret Service, officials said. Dhs Chief Kristi Noem Reveals How Her Purse Was Stolen At Restaurant: 'Professionally Done' Noem was with her family on Easter Sunday at The Capital Burger in Washington, D.C., when the suspect nabbed her luxury bag containing the cash as well as her driver's license, passport, medication, makeup bag, blank checks, DHS badge, apartment keys and a Louis Vuitton Clemence wallet. Kimmel Mocks Dhs Sec Kristi Noem For Getting Robbed, Says Her Being Crime Victim Is 'Embarrassing' The bag was on the floor at her table when it was stolen, according to a complaint filed with local police. Security footage captured a White man in a N95 surgical mask, dark pants and a baseball cap grabbing the bag before leaving the restaurant. Fox News Digital's Stepheny Price, Landon Mion and Stephen Sorace contributed to this report. Original article source: Federal charges filed against illegal immigrant who allegedly stole Kristi Noem's purse
