The man, Chilean national Mario Bustamante Leiva, "came to Washington illegally to prey on citizens of the District," said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said.

The man, Chilean national Mario Bustamante Leiva, "came to Washington illegally to prey on citizens of the District," said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said.

The former US Secretary of Homeland Security had her handbag - with $3,000 (£2,260) in cash inside - stolen at a restaurant last year.

On Wednesday, a U.S. District judge sentenced the man who stole a purse from former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to three years in prison.