A former security employee of the Miami Heat appeared in federal court on charges related to the theft and sale of valuable team memorabilia. Marcos Thomas Perez, 62, is accused of transporting and transferring stolen goods across state lines.
According to federal prosecutors, Perez stole more than 400 game-worn jerseys and other memorabilia from a secured equipment room at the Kaseya Center during his employment with the Miami Heat between 2016 and 2021, and later as an NBA security employee until 2025. The items were intended for display in a planned Miami Heat museum.
Authorities allege that over three years, Perez sold more than 100 stolen items through online marketplaces for about $2 million. One example cited was a game-worn LeBron James NBA Finals jersey that Perez sold for approximately $100,000; this same jersey was later auctioned by Sotheby’s for $3.7 million.
On April 3, law enforcement searched Perez’s home and recovered nearly 300 additional stolen jerseys and memorabilia. The Miami Heat confirmed these items had been taken from their facility.
“United States Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI, Miami Field Office made the announcement.”
“FBI Miami is investigating the case. The Miami Police Department provided invaluable assistance.”
“Assistant United States Attorney Robert Moore is prosecuting the case.”
Further information about this case can be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents are available through www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 25-cr-20346.
