Florida police officer accused of seizing deceased man's home

Brian Louis Sguros, a 35-year-old officer with the Lauderhill Police Department, has been arrested following allegations that he illegally seized the home of a man he discovered dead during a welfare check in July 2022.

Investigators allege that after finding 71-year-old Dennis West deceased from natural causes, Sguros falsely represented himself as a friend of the deceased to the medical examiner's office and claimed West had no surviving relatives. Sguros is accused of using law enforcement databases to obtain West's personal information, including his Social Security number, to pay property taxes and utility bills in the deceased man's name.

Between August 2022 and early 2025, Sguros allegedly occupied the residence and spent over $214,000 on renovations, including replacing doors and windows. He is accused of forging West's signature and using a notary's name to secure municipal building permits. The scheme was reportedly uncovered when the legal heirs of Dennis West attempted to manage the property. Sguros faces multiple felony charges, including official misconduct, fraud, and the criminal use of a deceased person's identification.