Florida officer who found man dead is accused of taking his house and identity
In short
Lauderhill police officer Brian Louis Sguros, 35, was arrested and charged with five felonies, including official misconduct and criminal use of a deceased person's identification. Investigators say he took over the home of Dennis West, whom he found dead during a welfare check in July 2022, and used West's identity to pay taxes and obtain permits while renovating it.
Read the full story 2 min read
Brian Louis Sguros, 35, an officer with the Lauderhill Police Department in Florida, was arrested and charged with five felonies, including official misconduct and criminal use of a deceased person's identification, according to NBC News, the Seattle Times and ABC News. The Broward County Sheriff's Office announced the case. He appeared in a brief court hearing on Wednesday and then left quickly past reporters outside, the Seattle Times and ABC News said. He has been suspended from his job. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Investigators say Sguros was one of the officers who responded to a welfare check at the home of Dennis West on July 11, 2022, after a neighbor called out of concern. West, 71, was found dead inside, and the medical examiner determined he died of natural causes, according to NBC News, citing the arrest affidavit. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The sheriff's office said Sguros told the medical examiner's office that he was West's friend, although there is no indication he knew West, and that West had no living family, which was untrue. Within weeks he took possession of the house. In August 2022 he did so, according to his own court filings, and the New York Post gave the date as Aug. 1. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Authorities say Sguros paid taxes and utilities on the home in West's name and used West's identification to make it appear that West was alive so the city would issue a permit for repairs. A 21-page arrest affidavit alleges he forged West's signature on multiple documents and, between August 2022 and February 2025, spent more than $210,000 of his own money on the property, including replacing doors and windows in 2024, according to the Guardian US. NBC News said the investigation found Sguros had run multiple searches in law enforcement databases. [ 2 , 3 ]
Sguros said in sworn statements and civil pleadings that he took possession because the property was hazardous and he wanted to prevent criminal activity and squatting. In court documents cited by the Seattle Times and ABC News, he said the house was filled with trash, its roof partly collapsed and the structure unstable, and that he believed he was acting lawfully to protect the surrounding community. He argued that he made no attempt to hide what he was doing. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Accounts differ on how the matter surfaced. The New York Post said he was caught when he sued the owner's heirs for reimbursement for the renovations. The Seattle Times and ABC News said court documents in a related civil case show it became known after a real estate group bought the house from West's relatives in 2025. They also differ on the amount Sguros says he spent, with figures ranging from more than $200,000 to over $214,000. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The case involves a serving police officer accused of misconduct and of using law enforcement databases. Sguros has been suspended, and the allegations have not been tested in court.
Key facts
- Sguros responded to a welfare check at Dennis West's Lauderhill home on July 11, 2022, and West, 71, was found dead inside; the medical examiner found natural causes. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The Broward Sheriff's Office said Sguros told the medical examiner's office he was West's friend, although there is no indication he knew West, and that West had no living family, which was untrue. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Sguros said in court filings that he took possession of the home in August 2022 and made repairs, saying he spent more than $200,000 of his own money. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Authorities say he paid taxes and utilities in West's name and used West's identification to obtain a city permit for repairs. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Sguros was arrested this week and charged with five felonies, including official misconduct and criminal use of a deceased person's identification. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- He appeared in court at a brief hearing on Wednesday and has been suspended from his job. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Sguros, a Lauderhill police officer, responded to a welfare check at West's home in July 2022, where West was found dead of natural causes. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The Broward Sheriff's Office said Sguros presented himself to the medical examiner's office as West's friend and said West had no living family, which was untrue. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Sguros stated in court filings that he took possession of the home in August 2022, and said he did so to prevent criminal activity and squatting. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Authorities say Sguros paid taxes on the home in West's name and used West's identification to obtain permits for repairs. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Sguros was arrested and faces five felony charges, including official misconduct and criminal use of a deceased person's identification. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- How much Sguros says he spent on the home. Outlets give different figures: over $214,000 (New York Post), at least $214,000 (NBC News), more than $210,000 (The Guardian US), and more than $200,000 (Seattle Times, ABC News).
- How the scheme came to light. The New York Post says he was caught when he sued the owner's heirs for reimbursement; the Seattle Times and ABC News say court documents show it became known after a real estate group bought the house from West's relatives in 2025.
- The exact charges. The New York Post lists fraud and falsifying official documents; NBC News lists official misconduct, criminal use of a deceased person's identification, criminal use of personal identification information, offense against a computer user and unlawful use of a two-way communications device.
- Whether Sguros has legal representation. NBC News said it was not clear whether he has an attorney; the Seattle Times and ABC News said messages were left with one of his attorneys.
- The value of the home. The Seattle Times and ABC News describe a $400,000 home; the New York Post says the renovation raised the value to about $500,000.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The New York Post published its report on the arrest. [ 1 ]
- NBC News published its report on the allegations and charges. [ 2 ]
- The Guardian US published its report, saying Sguros appeared in court on Wednesday. [ 3 ]
- The Seattle Times published its report, saying Sguros has been suspended. [ 4 ]
- The New York Times published its report on the Broward County Sheriff's Office arrest. [ 6 ]