Marcos Thomas Perez, a former Miami Heat security officer and retired Miami police veteran, pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal charges of transporting and transferring stolen goods in interstate commerce.
The plea, entered in a Miami federal court, marks a dramatic turn in a case that has rocked the NBA memorabilia world and raised questions about internal security at one of the league’s most storied franchises.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Perez, 62, admitted to stealing hundreds of game-worn jerseys and other high-value memorabilia from a secure equipment room inside the Kaseya Center, where he worked as part of the Heat’s game-day security detail from 2016 to 2021. He later served as an NBA security employee from 2022 to 2025.
Over a three-year period, Perez sold more than 100 stolen items, including a game-worn LeBron James jersey from the NBA Finals. That same jersey later sold at a Sotheby’s auction for $3.7 million. Authorities say Perez often sold the items at bargain prices through online marketplaces, shipping them across state lines in violation of federal law.
In April, federal agents executed a search warrant at Perez’s residence and recovered nearly 300 additional stolen items, including over 400 game-worn jerseys. The Miami Heat confirmed that the memorabilia had been intended for a future team museum.
Defense attorney Robert Buschel acknowledged the gravity of the situation but emphasized Perez’s remorse.
“He’s depressed, naturally, but he accepts responsibility for his behavior and we’re going to work through this issue in his life,” Buschel said. He also noted Perez’s 25-year service record with the Miami Police Department, calling him “an exemplary officer” who made “an unfortunate set of decisions”.
Perez now faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of probation, and a fine of up to $250,000. His sentencing is scheduled for October 31.
