35-Year-Old Florida Police Officer Accused Of Stealing De@d Man’s Identity To Take Over His Home;Spends $214,000 On Renovations
A Florida police officer has been arrested over allegations that he used a deceased man’s identity, carried out renovations on his property and attempted to claim financial rights over the home after discovering his body during a welfare check.
Brian Louis Sguros, 35, of the Lauderhill Police Department, was arrested on October 20 and faces multiple felony charges, including official misconduct, identity-related offences involving a deceased person and unlawful computer use.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Sguros responded to a welfare check at Dennis West’s residence on July 11, 2022, where the 71-year-old was found de@d from natural causes.
Investigators alleged that Sguros subsequently involved himself in West’s affairs, falsely presenting himself to the medical examiner’s office as the deceased’s friend, although there was no evidence the pair knew each other.
Authorities further claimed that he used West’s personal information to pay more than $2,500 in property taxes and utility bills, obtain renovation permits and create the impression that the deceased was still alive.
An August 2024 permit application to replace the property’s windows and doors reportedly listed West as the owner, included his driver’s licence details and carried a signature allegedly bearing his name. The application was submitted two years after his death, while the contact number provided belonged to Sguros.
The case came to light after West’s heirs and a real estate company raised concerns about the officer’s involvement with the property.
In February 2026, Sguros reportedly filed a lawsuit seeking reimbursement through an equitable lien, claiming he had spent at least $214,000 renovating the house and increasing its value to approximately $500,000. He allegedly told investigators the work was intended to keep squatters and criminals away.
