Last Updated:
Perez, ex-Miami Police officer and NBA security, faces federal charges for stealing and selling NBA memorabilia worth $2 million, including a LeBron James jersey sold for $100,000.
LeBron James with the Miami Heat at the 2013 NBA Finals (AFP)
A former law enforcement officer and longtime NBA security official made his first appearance in federal court on Tuesday, facing charges in a wide-ranging scheme involving the theft and sale of game-worn NBA jerseys and other valuable memorabilia.
Federal Investigation Uncovers Major Theft
Marcos Thomas Perez, 62, has been formally charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and the FBI’s Miami field office with transporting and transferring stolen goods in interstate commerce—a federal crime that could carry significant penalties if convicted.
The case stems from a search warrant executed at Perez’s Miami home on April 3, where authorities reportedly recovered approximately 300 game-worn jerseys and other memorabilia.
The Miami Heat later confirmed the items had been stolen from their facility, the Kaseya Center.
Perez is a 25-year veteran of the Miami Police Department who retired before transitioning to private sector security. He served as a security staff member for the Miami Heat from 2016 to 2021, before joining NBA security in 2022, where he remained until earlier this year.
Court documents allege that during his time with the Heat and the NBA, Perez exploited his privileged access to restricted areas—including the team’s secure equipment room, which was used to store high-value memorabilia from players and games.
Alleged Sales Totaled $2 Million
Federal investigators say Perez sold over 100 items to memorabilia brokers and collectors through various online platforms, reaping an estimated $2 million from the scheme. These sales, according to the charges, involved the shipment of stolen goods across state lines.
One of the most significant items identified in the court filings was a game-worn Miami Heat jersey by LeBron James from the NBA Finals. Authorities allege that Perez sold the jersey for $100,000.
That same jersey was later resold at a Sotheby’s auction for a staggering $3.7 million, making it one of the most expensive basketball memorabilia items ever sold.
Heat Museum Plans Derailed
The Miami Heat had reportedly planned to showcase many of the stolen items in a dedicated team museum, aimed at preserving and celebrating the franchise’s history. The theft has now disrupted those efforts and raised serious questions about internal security protocols.
Perez, who had been among the few employees granted high-level access to the equipment room, is accused of systematically removing items during game days and nights without detection over a prolonged period.
The case remains under investigation, and Perez has not yet entered a plea. He could face further charges as prosecutors examine the full extent of the alleged theft and distribution network.
The Miami Heat and the NBA have not yet issued formal public statements beyond confirming the thefts.
(with agency inputs)
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
view comments
Read More
