A former Miami Heat security employee appeared in federal court today, facing a charge of transporting and transferring stolen goods across state lines. According to court documents, Marcos Thomas Perez, 62, of Miami, is accused of stealing millions of dollars’ worth of game-worn jerseys and memorabilia from the team’s secured equipment room during his employment.
Perez worked for the City of Miami Police Department for 25 years before joining the Miami Heat as a security officer from 2016 to 2021. He later served as an NBA security employee until 2025. During his time with the Heat, he was one of a few trusted individuals who had access to an equipment room where hundreds of valuable items were stored for a future team museum.
The charging document alleges that Perez stole more than 400 game-worn jerseys and other memorabilia over several years. He reportedly sold more than 100 stolen items through online marketplaces for about $2 million. Authorities say he often sold these items below their market value; one example cited is a LeBron James NBA Finals jersey that Perez allegedly sold for around $100,000 before it was later resold at auction for $3.7 million.
On April 3, law enforcement executed a search warrant at 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 stated: “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.”
The FBI’s Miami office is leading the investigation with assistance from the Miami Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Robert Moore is prosecuting this case.
Further details can be found on the United States Attorney’s Office website at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls or by searching case number 25-cr-20346 on www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
