Miami, Florida — A former Miami police officer has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in one of the largest sports memorabilia theft schemes in recent history, involving millions of dollars’ worth of stolen Miami Heat items taken directly from the team’s arena.
Federal authorities confirmed that Marcos Thomas Perez, 62, was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison after admitting to stealing hundreds of game-worn jerseys and other valuable memorabilia while working as a security guard at the team’s home venue.
Theft scheme unfolded inside Heat arena
According to investigators, Perez exploited his trusted position at the Kaseya Center, where he had access to a secured storage room containing high-value team memorabilia.
Federal officials said the thefts occurred over several years, during which Perez quietly removed items without detection.
“Perez used his authorized access to carry out the thefts repeatedly,” prosecutors said, calling the scheme both calculated and extensive.
The stolen items included hundreds of game-worn jerseys, warmups, and other exclusive memorabilia tied to the Miami Heat.
FBI details scope of stolen merchandise
The Federal Bureau of Investigation said Perez transported stolen goods across state lines and sold them through online marketplaces and private transactions.
Investigators estimate that at least 400 items were stolen, with many sold at prices far below market value, raising suspicions that eventually led to the federal investigation.
Authorities also confirmed that at least one jersey was sold in a face-to-face deal in Boston, further supporting interstate commerce charges.
LeBron James jersey highlights scale of loss
One of the most high-profile items involved in the case was a game-worn jersey belonging to LeBron James from his time with the Miami Heat.
Perez sold that jersey for approximately $100,000, investigators said. The same jersey later resurfaced at auction, where it sold for an astonishing $3.7 million.
Prosecutors cited the dramatic difference in value as evidence of the extraordinary significance of the stolen collection and the financial impact of the thefts.
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Perez pleads guilty, addresses court
Perez ultimately pleaded guilty to federal charges related to transporting stolen goods in interstate commerce.
During sentencing, he addressed the court and spoke emotionally about the consequences of his actions.
“The hardest thing I had to do was tell my 85-year-old mother what I did,” Perez said. “Tell my wife and daughters what I did.”
Prosecutors acknowledged that Perez had no prior criminal record, and his defense attorney argued that the crimes were out of character for a former law enforcement officer.
Judge orders prison, supervision, restitution
Despite those arguments, the judge emphasized the length of the scheme and the immense financial loss when issuing the sentence.
Perez was ordered to:
- Serve three years in federal prison
- Complete two years of supervised release
- Pay $1.8 million in restitution
Federal officials confirmed that Perez has already paid more than $276,000 toward the restitution total.
Case called one of largest memorabilia thefts
Investigators described the case as one of the most significant sports memorabilia thefts ever uncovered, citing both the volume of stolen items and their historical and financial value.
Authorities said the case underscores how insider access can be exploited — and how even trusted positions within major sports organizations can be vulnerable to long-term theft.
What comes next
Federal officials said restitution efforts will continue following Perez’s release, and authorities are still working to identify and recover any remaining stolen items that may be in private collections.
The Miami Heat organization has not publicly commented on the sentencing but has cooperated with investigators throughout the case.
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