Former Miami Heat Security Officer Sentenced for Theft
A former security officer for the Miami Heat, Marcos Thomas Perez, aged 62, has been sentenced to a federal prison term of three years and mandated to compensate nearly $1.9 million for his crimes involving the theft of sports memorabilia. This verdict was delivered earlier this month following Perez’s guilty plea last August to charges of transporting stolen items across state lines.
Background and Career
Perez, who had a career spanning 25 years with the Miami Police Department before joining the Heat, was employed by the team from 2016 until 2021 and then served as an NBA security worker from 2022 onwards. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Jason Reding Quiñones, criticized Perez’s actions, emphasizing that he exploited his position for personal gain, undermining the values represented by the Miami Heat, which are rooted in hard work and integrity in the South Florida community.
Theft and Investigation
Federal authorities, including the FBI, reported that Perez took more than 400 game-worn jerseys and other valuable items from a locked equipment room at the team’s Kaseya Center venue. His security role on game days granted him privileged access to this room, which housed memorabilia intended for a future team museum.
In a span of three years, it is alleged that Perez sold over 100 of these stolen items via online platforms, generating close to $1.9 million in sales. Notably, one jersey belonging to NBA star LeBron James, worn during the Finals, was sold for around $100,000 but was later auctioned at Sotheby’s for a staggering $3.7 million.
Discovery of Additional Stolen Items
In April, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at Perez’s residence, uncovering nearly 300 additional stolen jerseys and memorabilia, all confirmed to be taken from the Miami Heat’s facilities.
