A Lauderhill police officer has been arrested and charged with five felonies for allegedly taking control of a deceased man's home and assuming his identity. Authorities say Brian Louis Sguros, 35, discovered 71-year-old Dennis West dead during a welfare check on July 11, 2022, and began living in and renovating the property shortly thereafter. Sguros appeared in court on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, and has been suspended from his position with the Lauderhill Police Department.
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office reported that Sguros told the medical examiner he was a friend of the deceased and that West had no living family, statements investigators said were untrue. While the medical examiner determined West died of natural causes, investigators allege Sguros used his access to law enforcement databases to research West's background. Sguros then spent two and a half years renovating the home, which he claimed was unstable, trash-filled, and had a partially collapsed roof.
According to court documents, Sguros maintained he acted to protect the community from squatters and criminal activity at the "abandoned residence." He reported spending more than $214,000 of his own money on repairs between August 2022 and February 2025. During this period, investigators say he used West's personal identification to pay property taxes and utilities, and allegedly forged West's signature to obtain building permits for the work.
A person in this position would notice the impact in their legal rights to property and the integrity of public records, as the officer is accused of criminal use of a deceased person's identification and official misconduct. The case could prompt changes in how police departments and medical examiners verify claims of friendship or family status during death investigations. It also sets a precedent regarding the legal concept of "possession" when an officer claims to be securing a hazard vs. occupying a private residence for personal use.
What happens next is the continuation of criminal proceedings against Sguros, who faces five felony charges. His defense team has not yet issued a public statement beyond filing civil paperwork to seek reimbursement for home repairs. A trial or further hearing dates for the felony charges, which include offense against a computer user and official misconduct, were not reported. The civil case between Sguros and the real estate group that purchased the home from West’s relatives remains pending.