First athlete home burglary defendant sentenced to 24 months in prison

Alexander Esteban Huaiquil-Chavez received a 24-month prison sentence for his role in a string of athlete home burglaries.

Sentencing in federal court On Thursday, a Tennessee federal court sentenced the first defendant to plead guilty in the 2024 burglaries targeting high-profile athletes. Judge Thomas L. Parker delivered a 24-month prison term to Alexander Esteban Huaiquil-Chavez, with credit applied for time already served. Huaiquil-Chavez had pleaded guilty in March to one count of interstate transportation of stolen property. In addition to the prison term, he received a $100 fine, with further restitution payments to be determined at a later date. ## Credit for time served The judge approved credit for time served starting from Huaiquil-Chavez's imprisonment on January 10, 2025. Because of this credit, his sentence is set to conclude in early 2027. The case involved multiple burglaries across the country targeting athletes' homes. One of the incidents occurred in Tennessee, specifically at the residence of a Memphis Grizzlies player. ## Details of the burglary group Federal authorities filed a complaint in Florida in February 2025, identifying Huaiquil-Chavez as part of a theft ring composed of Chilean nationals. The group was charged with breaking into athletes' homes nationwide and stealing items such as cash, jewelry, and weapons. The Tennessee complaint listed only one burglary in the state, which took place at the home of a Memphis Grizzlies player. Around $1 million worth of watches, jewelry, and luxury bags were stolen from that residence during the incident. ## Identification of stolen items and player The stolen property from the Memphis Grizzlies player's home included approximately $1 million in watches, jewelry, and luxury bags. The player's identity was later confirmed as Grizzlies guard Ja Morant. The burglary happened on December 19 while the Grizzlies were hosting the Golden State Warriors. The stolen items were recovered, though the exact value and details were confirmed through official channels. ## Immigration concerns raised by defense Huaiquil-Chavez's attorney, Taurus Bailey, submitted a pre-sentencing request arguing against supervised release due to potential immigration complications. Bailey noted that Huaiquil-Chavez, aged 25, had overstayed his visa. The attorney stated that deportation and immigration detention were likely outcomes following his imprisonment. Bailey also highlighted severe restrictions on Huaiquil-Chavez's ability to re-enter the United States after his release. In the filing, Bailey wrote, 'Mr. Huaiquil-Chavez is a deportable non-citizen likely to be removed after imprisonment.' ## Additional defendants and ongoing cases Three other individuals—Sergio Andres Cabello, Bastian Alejandro Morales, and Jordan Francisco Sanchez—were indicted in the Memphis case, though their current case status remains unclear. Cabello, Morales, and Sanchez face charges of interstate transportation of stolen property and falsification of records in a related federal investigation. The charges stem from a burglary at the home of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Huaiquil-Chavez was arrested alongside these men in Ohio in January 2025. ## Status of co-defendants' case The judge overseeing the Cabello, Morales, and Sanchez case has granted multiple continuances to allow for ongoing plea negotiations. According to federal court documents, the next status conference for their case is scheduled for July 8. The delays suggest discussions are still taking place between prosecutors and the defense teams involved. No further updates on their case progress have been made public at this time.