Former Miami Heat Security Officer Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Game-Worn Jerseys and Memorabilia
A former security officer for the Miami Heat has been sentenced to three years in federal prison and ordered to pay almost $1.9 million in restitution for stealing game-worn jerseys and sports memorabilia while working for the team. Marcos Thomas Perez, a retired Miami Police Department veteran, worked for the Heat from 2016 to 2021 and as an NBA security employee from 2022 to 2025. He pleaded guilty to transporting and transferring stolen goods in interstate commerce.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Jason Reding Quiñones condemned Perez's actions, stating that he had exploited his access to the Miami Heat for personal gain, betraying the public trust. Perez stole over 400 jerseys and other items from a secured equipment room at the Kaseya Center, where he worked on the game-day security detail. He was one of the few employees with access to the room storing memorabilia intended for a future team museum.
Perez sold more than 100 stolen items for around $1.9 million over three years, shipping them across state lines at discounted prices. Notably, he sold a Miami Heat jersey worn by LeBron James during the NBA Finals for approximately $100,000, which later fetched $3.7 million at a Sotheby's auction. Law enforcement recovered nearly 300 additional stolen jerseys and memorabilia from Perez's home during a search warrant execution in April, confirming that the items had been stolen from the Miami Heat facility.
In conclusion, the former Miami Heat security officer's actions have led to a significant legal consequence, with a three-year prison sentence and substantial restitution. The theft of valuable sports memorabilia has not only impacted the team but also violated the trust placed in him as a law enforcement officer and security employee.