Former Miami Heat Security Officer Sentenced to Prison in Major Memorabilia Theft Case
In a stunning fall from grace that has gripped the sports world, a former Miami Heat security officer was sentenced to three years in federal prison for stealing and selling hundreds of valuable pieces of team memorabilia. The sentence, handed down earlier this month in the Southern District of Florida, also includes a restitution order of nearly $1.9 million — underscoring the scale and seriousness of the crime.
Marcos Thomas Perez, 62, a retired veteran of the Miami Police Department and former security officer for both the Heat and later the NBA, pleaded guilty in August 2025 to transporting and transferring stolen goods in interstate commerce. Over the course of several years, Perez used his trusted access to the team’s secured storage areas to remove game-worn jerseys and other memorabilia, selling them for profit through online marketplaces.
A Long Career, a Sudden Downfall
Perez’s career began with distinction. After serving 25 years with the Miami Police Department, he transitioned into sports security, joining the Miami Heat in 2016. He worked for the organization until 2021 and thereafter served as an NBA security employee from 2022 to 2025. His roles put him on game-day security details and afforded him access to restricted areas within the Kaseya Center, including a secured equipment room designated for storing jerseys and memorabilia for future display.
It was this trust and access that prosecutors say Perez exploited. According to court records, Perez stole more than 400 items from the secured room during his employment. These items included game-worn jerseys from Heat legends and other memorabilia that held significant historical and monetary value. Over roughly three and a half years, he sold more than 100 of the stolen items and shipped them across state lines.
The Heist and Its Profits
The scale of the operation was unprecedented. Many of the jerseys Perez sold were from iconic moments in Heat history, including some worn during NBA Finals games. One notable example was a Miami Heat jersey worn by LeBron James during the Finals — a piece that prosecutors say Perez sold for roughly $100,000. That same jersey later fetched an astonishing $3.7 million at a Sotheby’s auction after its provenance was publicly known.
Despite commanding millions in total resale value, the items Perez sold were often offered at prices “well below their market value,” prosecutors noted, likely in an attempt to move inventory quickly and avoid suspicion. Nevertheless, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Miami Police Department, uncovered the scheme and ultimately executed a search warrant at Perez’s home in April 2025. There, authorities recovered nearly 300 additional stolen jerseys and memorabilia, most of which were confirmed to have come from the Heat’s facility.
Justice and Accountability
U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez presided over the case and imposed a 36-month federal prison sentence for Perez’s crime. In addition to incarceration, Perez was ordered to pay $1,889,931.91 in restitution, a figure that reflects the proceeds he gained from his criminal activity. This order underscores the court’s effort to recoup some of the financial harm inflicted on the Miami Heat organization.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones condemned Perez’s actions, emphasizing the betrayal of trust inherent in the crime. “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 said. He added that the Miami Heat represent “excellence built through hard work and discipline in South Florida — and this conduct was the opposite.”
The Broader Impact on Sports Memorabilia Security
This case has drawn national attention not only because of the high-profile nature of the Miami Heat and the value of the stolen items but also because it highlights broader concerns about security and oversight in professional sports. Memorabilia theft, particularly of game-worn items, has long been a market with both legal and illicit players. Trumpets of authenticity and provenance help drive multimillion-dollar auctions, but Perez’s scheme revealed how insiders could exploit gaps in oversight for personal gain.
Since the FBI’s involvement and subsequent sentencing, there has been increased scrutiny on how teams safeguard their historical artifacts. The fact that Perez could remove items over several years without detection raises questions about internal controls and inventory tracking within professional sports organizations. While teams like the Heat understandably trust their staff, the betrayal in this case has set a cautionary example for other franchises to reassess their security protocols.
Reaction from Fans and the Sports Community
Reactions to the sentencing have been widespread across social media and in sports circles. Fans expressed shock and disappointment that someone entrusted with protecting treasured pieces of Heat history would perpetrate such a scheme. Many noted the irony of a former law enforcement officer — with decades of service — abusing that background to orchestrate one of the largest memorabilia thefts in sports history. Others have called on auction houses and buyers to improve their due diligence when purchasing high-value sports memorabilia to avoid unwittingly participating in the resale of stolen goods.
For the Miami Heat organization itself, the case has been a sobering moment. In the aftermath, the team has reaffirmed its commitment to honoring its legacy and ensuring its memorabilia — a tangible link to decades of on-court success — is preserved securely and authentically for fans and future generations.
A Cautionary Tale
The sentencing of Marcos Thomas Perez serves as a stark reminder that even trusted insiders can betray confidence for personal gain. It highlights the importance of vigilance, accountability, and robust security measures — especially where items of cultural and financial value are concerned. As Perez begins his sentence, the ripple effects of this case will likely influence how professional sports teams protect their histories for years to come.
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