Marcos Perez, a former security guard for the Miami Heat, has made his first federal court appearance after being charged with selling a stolen LeBron James NBA Finals jersey. At 62 years old, Perez faces charges under U.S. Code Title 18 for transporting stolen property across state lines, which carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The case was filed Monday by U.S. Attorney Hayden P. Ovirne and Assistant Robert F. Moore.
Authorities allege that Perez, who previously served as a Miami Police Department officer, knowingly moved millions of dollars worth of stolen merchandise from what is now called the FTX Arena, formerly the American Airlines Arena and Kaya Center. He reportedly sold these items to online dealers, netting around $2 million. During a federal search of his Miami home in April, about 300 stolen jerseys and sports memorabilia were confiscated, with the FBI verifying the authenticity of the items.
Perez is said to have sold stolen goods for much less than their true market value—for instance, a LeBron James jersey that he sold for roughly $100,000 later fetched $3.7 million at a Sotheby’s auction. He was employed by the Heat from 2016 to 2021 and subsequently worked in NBA security from 2022 until 2025, mainly handling game day security tasks.
Miami Police Chief Manny Morales, in a statement on X, noted that Perez left the Miami Police Department in 2016. Morales condemned Perez’s actions as a serious violation of public trust, emphasizing that those who wear the badge must uphold the highest standards of integrity and honor.
Fan Take: This story hits hard for basketball fans because it involves stolen memorabilia tied to one of the greatest players of all time, LeBron James. Beyond the personal betrayal, it raises concerns about security and trust within the sport, highlighting the need for stronger protections around priceless sports history.
