A former Miami Heat security officer and retired Miami police veteran has been charged with transporting and selling millions of dollars’ worth of stolen NBA memorabilia across state lines, federal authorities announced Tuesday.
Marcos Thomas Perez, 62, of Miami, made his initial appearance in federal court on a one-count information charging him with the interstate transport and sale of stolen goods.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Perez worked for the Miami Heat from 2016 to 2021 and later as an NBA security employee through 2025. During this time, he had access to a secure equipment room at the Kaseya Center containing hundreds of game-worn jerseys and other memorabilia earmarked for a future Miami Heat museum.
Authorities allege that over several years, Perez stole more than 400 items, including rare jerseys worn by Heat players during significant games. He then sold over 100 of them through online marketplaces for around $2 million. One stolen LeBron James NBA Finals jersey, which Perez allegedly sold for about $100,000, later resold at a Sotheby’s auction for $3.7 million.
Federal agents executed a search warrant at Perez’s residence on April 3 and recovered nearly 300 more stolen items, all of which were confirmed by the Miami Heat to have been taken from their facility.
“This case involves a significant betrayal of trust and the exploitation of access to high-value items intended for public appreciation,” said U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne.
The investigation is being led by the FBI Miami Field Office, with support from the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Miami Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Moore is prosecuting the case.
