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Seven men have been charged in connection with a series of burglaries targeting high-profile athletes, including Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Joe Burrow. Federal prosecutors allege that the group stole over $2 million in valuables from several homes between October and December 2024 while the players were away for games.
The criminal complaint, unsealed by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, names Pablo Cartes, Ignacio Cartes, Bastian Freraut, Jordan Sanchez, Bastian Morales, Alexander Chavez, and Sergio Cabello as defendants. They are accused of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
According to the complaint, Mahomes and Kelce's homes were burglarized in early October while the Kansas City Chiefs were playing the New Orleans Saints. Jewelry, money, and other luxury items were stolen. On October 21, a Tampa Bay Buccaneers player's home was hit, with jewelry, a suitcase, and a firearm taken.
The largest single theft occurred at the home of Milwaukee Bucks player Bobby Portis on November 2, when $1.484 million in jewelry, suitcases, bags, a safe, and cash were stolen while his team played against the Cleveland Cavaliers. On December 9, the suspects allegedly burglarized Burrow's home in Ohio during a Cincinnati Bengals away game against the Dallas Cowboys, stealing $300,000 worth of designer luggage, watches, and jewelry.
The group's final known target was a Memphis Grizzlies player's home in late December, where $1 million in jewelry, watches, and luxury bags were stolen.
Prosecutors say the men used social media and publicly available information to track athletes' schedules, ensuring they struck when the players were away. Court records also reveal that three of the suspects were arrested after a traffic stop in Ohio and face additional charges of falsifying records in a federal investigation.
Burrow addressed the break-in at his home, stating, "I feel like my privacy has been violated in more ways than one," and acknowledged the challenges of public life. "One of my least favorite parts of that is the lack of privacy. That has been difficult for me to deal with my entire career."
If convicted, all seven men face up to 10 years in federal prison.
