Federal prosecutors on Tuesday indicted a former Miami Heat security staffer accused of stealing more than 400 game-worn jerseys and selling them for millions.
The Justice Department charged Marcos Thomas Perez, 62, in federal court with one count of transporting and transferring stolen goods in interstate commerce. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years behind bars and a fine of up to $250,000.
Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of Florida allege Perez took advantage of having special access to the Heat's equipment room. With that access, prosecutors allege Perez stole hundreds of game-worn jerseys and then sold about 100 of them, totaling around $2 million. Roughly 300 more items were found at his house during the execution of an April 3 search warrant.
What's more, prosecutors claim Perez severely undervalued the jerseys he sold. For example, it's alleged Perez sold a jersey LeBron James wore in the NBA Finals for a mere $100,000. That jersey went on to be sold at Sotheby's for a whopping $3.7 million.
The U.S. District Attorney's Office in the Southern District of Florida brought forward the complaint after the FBI and Miami Police Department probed the case.
Perez worked with the Miami PD for 25 years before retiring and working as a Heat security staffer from 2016–2021. He also worked with the league from 2022–2025. The equipment room Perez is accused of pillaging was full of gear the Heat "intended to display in a future Miami Heat museum," federal authorities said.
Ex-Miami Heat Staffer Accused of Stealing Gear, Including LeBron James Jersey That Sold for $3.7 Million first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 6, 2025
2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.