Former Miami Heat employee sentenced to three years in prison for stealing 400 game jerseys

A former Miami Heat security officer has received three years in prison for stealing and selling team merchandise, ESPN reports.

Marcos Perez, 62, was convicted in the United States in early January, according to court records. Back in August 2025, he pleaded guilty to selling stolen goods.

Perez spent 25 years with the Miami Police Department before leaving the force and joining the Miami Heat, where he was responsible for security from 2016 to 2025.

According to federal prosecutors and the FBI, over the years, Perez stole more than 400 jerseys and other gaming paraphernalia from a secure warehouse, after which he sold the stolen goods on various online platforms. Among the stolen items were valuable rarities. Perez was one of the few employees who had access to the warehouse where the collection for the Miami Club Museum, which had not yet opened, was being collected.

Perez sold approximately $1.9 million worth of paraphernalia, authorities said. In particular, he admitted to selling LeBron James’ NBA Finals jersey for approximately $100,000. The T-shirt was later sold at Sotheby’s for $3.7 million.

In addition to the three-year prison sentence, Perez was ordered to compensate the club for damages in the amount of the above amount – $1.9 million.