SEATTLE — June 7, 2025 — A 21-year-old Seattle man has been officially charged with orchestrating a wave of high-value burglaries at the homes of current and former NFL and MLB athletes. The case has raised alarm among sports professionals nationwide, as targeted thefts against celebrities and athletes continue to increase across the U.S.

According to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Earl Henderson Riley IV faces multiple counts of residential burglary, including both occupied and unoccupied dwellings, and a charge of first-degree robbery. Prosecutors say Riley was the ringleader of an organized group responsible for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in luxury goods from prominent sports figures.

Homes of Luis Castillo, Julio Rodriguez, and Richard Sherman Targeted

The string of burglaries began in February and included thefts at the homes of major league stars:

• Seattle Mariners pitcher Luis Castillo reportedly lost more than $6,000 in Louis Vuitton bags.
  
• Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez had over $194,000 worth of jewelry and high-end purses stolen.
  
• Former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman was robbed of several watches valued at over $100,000.
  
• Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell, a Washington native, was also targeted, but nothing was taken.
  
• An attempted burglary was also reported at the residence of Hall of Famer Edgar Martinez.

“These athletes were not chosen at random,” said Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Gary Ernsdorff. “They were targeted because of their public profiles and the luxury items believed to be inside their homes.”

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Sports Leagues Warn of Crime Rings Targeting Professional Athletes

The FBI, NFL, and NBA have all issued warnings about organized crime groups focusing on professional athletes’ residences. A 2024 NFL memo obtained by the Associated Press described a sharp increase in “skilled, organized burglaries” of athletes’ homes, often timed when players are away for games or training.

Notable victims in similar incidents have included NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, raising concerns about player security during the season.

Charges Follow Multi-Agency Investigation

Riley’s arrest is the result of a months-long investigation that included cooperation from six law enforcement agencies across King County. Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify and charge additional suspects.

“We still want to go and identify everybody who was involved,” Ernsdorff said. “Our work is not over.”

Riley is currently being held in King County Jail on $1 million bail. His arraignment is scheduled for June 16, when he is expected to enter a plea. It remains unclear whether Riley has secured legal representation.

In addition to the recent burglary charges, Riley also faces unrelated charges of unlawful firearm possession and attempting to elude police in another case filed in King County Superior Court.

A Growing Trend of Celebrity Home Burglaries

The case highlights a growing national trend of high-profile burglaries targeting sports stars and celebrities. As athletes share more of their lives publicly and travel frequently for games, law enforcement warns they may increasingly become the targets of sophisticated crime rings.

King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion emphasized the broader implications: “All people deserve to feel safe in their homes, and our office will continue to hold people accountable for criminal behavior.”