A former security officer for the Miami Heat basketball franchise has been sentenced to three years in federal prison and ordered to pay nearly $2 million in restitution following his conviction for stealing hundreds of game-worn jerseys and other highly prized memorabilia items.
Guilty Plea and Sentencing Details
Marcos Thomas Perez, aged 62, pleaded guilty last summer to charges of transporting and transferring stolen goods across state lines. The sentencing, which occurred recently, marks the conclusion of a significant criminal case involving valuable sports collectibles. Perez must now serve his prison term and make substantial financial restitution for the stolen items.
Background and Access to Memorabilia
Perez worked for the Miami Heat organisation between 2016 and 2021, before transitioning to a role as an NBA security employee from 2022 until 2025. Prior to his career in sports security, he spent an extensive 25 years serving with the Miami Police Department, a background that makes his criminal actions particularly notable.
Investigators determined that Perez stole more than 400 jerseys and other valuable memorabilia pieces from a secured equipment room at the Kaseya Center, the Heat's home arena. His position on the gameday security detail granted him one of the few authorised accesses to this room, which the team used to store items intended for display in a future team museum.
The Scale of the Theft and Sales Operation
Over a three-year period, federal prosecutors and the FBI allege that Perez sold more than 100 of the stolen items for approximately $1.9 million, shipping them across state lines through various online marketplaces. Notably, he often sold these highly valuable collectibles at bargain prices compared to their true market value.
One particularly striking example involves a Miami Heat jersey worn by superstar LeBron James during the NBA Finals. Perez reportedly sold this jersey for around $100,000, yet the same garment later fetched an astonishing $3.7 million at a Sotheby's auction, highlighting the significant financial discrepancy in his illicit sales.
Law Enforcement Investigation and Recovery
In April of last year, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at Perez's residence, where they recovered nearly 300 additional stolen game-worn jerseys and memorabilia items. The Miami Heat organisation confirmed that these recovered items had indeed been stolen from their facility, validating the scope of the theft.
Official Statements and Broader Implications
US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Jason Reding Quinones, issued a statement condemning Perez's actions. 'This defendant was a former police officer who betrayed the public trust and exploited his access to our beloved hometown team for personal gain,' Quinones stated. He further emphasised, 'The Miami Heat represent excellence built through hard work and discipline in South Florida - and this conduct was the opposite.'
The case underscores vulnerabilities in the security protocols surrounding valuable sports memorabilia and raises questions about the internal controls within professional sports organisations. It also highlights the substantial black market for game-worn items and championship memorabilia, which can command extraordinary prices at legitimate auctions.
