Federal judge orders pretrial detention for man accused of stealing Kristi Noem’s purse
May 21, 2025
A federal magistrate judge has ordered the pretrial detention of a man charged with stealing a purse from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem while she dined at a restaurant under the protection of Secret Service agents. U.S. Magistrate Matthew Sharbaugh concluded after a hearing on Wednesday that the suspect, Mario Bustamante Leiva, must remain jailed because he poses a flight risk. Bustamante Leiva, a 49-year-old a native of Chile, pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud, robbery and aggravated identity theft. Investigators say video captured Bustamante Leiva taking Noem’s purse while she dined at a restaurant in Washington, D.C. in April.
