Florida police officer arrested for allegedly stealing deceased man's identity and home

Brian Louis Sguros, a 35-year-old officer with the Lauderhill Police Department, has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies following an investigation into a complex scheme to seize a deceased man's property.

The incident dates back to July 2022, when Sguros responded as a backup officer to a welfare check at the home of 71-year-old Dennis West. After finding West deceased from natural causes, investigators allege Sguros orchestrated a plan to take control of the residence. Authorities claim Sguros falsely represented himself to the Broward County Medical Examiner's Office as a friend of the deceased and incorrectly stated that West had no living relatives.

According to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Sguros used his access to law enforcement databases to obtain West's personal information, including his Social Security number. He allegedly used this identity to pay property taxes and utilities, and forged West's signature to obtain city permits for home renovations. Between August 2022 and early 2025, Sguros reportedly lived in the home and spent over $210,000 on upgrades, claiming he did so to prevent squatters and criminal activity.

The scheme was uncovered after a real estate company legally acquired the property from West's rightful heirs. Sguros faces several felony charges, including official misconduct, criminal use of a deceased person's identification, and offenses against computer users. He has been suspended from the Lauderhill Police Department.