A former Miami Heat security officer has been sentenced to three years in federal prison and ordered to pay nearly $1.9 million in restitution for orchestrating a significant theft of valuable sports memorabilia during his tenure with the team.
Former Police Officer Exploited Security Access
Marcos Thomas Perez, a 62-year-old retired veteran of the Miami Police Department with 25 years of service, worked for the Heat from 2016 to 2021 and later as an NBA security employee from 2022 to 2025. He pleaded guilty last August to charges of transporting and transferring stolen goods across state lines, with his sentencing occurring earlier this month according to court records.
Betrayal of Public Trust
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Jason Reding Quiñones issued a strong 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," Quiñones declared. "The Miami Heat represent excellence built through hard work and discipline in South Florida — and this conduct was the opposite."
Systematic Theft Operation Uncovered
According to federal prosecutors and FBI investigations, Perez stole more than 400 jerseys and other valuable items from a secured equipment room at the Kaseya Center, where he worked on the game-day security detail. His position granted him access to a restricted area containing memorabilia that the Heat organization had planned to display in a future team museum.
Multi-Million Dollar Sales Scheme
Over a three-year period, authorities determined that Perez sold more than 100 stolen items for approximately $1.9 million, shipping them across state lines through various online marketplaces. Investigators noted that he often sold the memorabilia at bargain prices compared to their true market value.
One particularly notable transaction involved a Miami Heat jersey worn by LeBron James during the NBA Finals, which Perez sold for approximately $100,000. That same jersey later fetched $3.7 million at a Sotheby's auction, highlighting the significant financial impact of his crimes.
Law Enforcement Recovery Operation
Last April, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at Perez's residence, recovering nearly 300 additional stolen game-worn jerseys and memorabilia. The Miami Heat organization confirmed that all recovered items had been stolen from their facility, bringing some resolution to the extensive theft operation.
The case represents a significant breach of trust involving a former law enforcement officer who used his security clearance to systematically plunder valuable sports memorabilia intended for public display and preservation.
