Officer Found a Man Dead. Now He's Accused of Taking His Home

A welfare check brought a Florida officer to a dead man’s home. Investigators now accuse that officer of using the homeowner’s identity to take control of the property and renovate it for years.

Brian Louis Sguros, 35, of the Lauderhill Police Department, was arrested October 20 following a joint investigation by the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the county property appraiser’s crimes-against-property team. The case concerns the home of Dennis West, 71, who died of natural causes in 2022.

After a company bought the home from West’s heirs, Sguros sought more than $200,000 in reimbursement for renovations. The company’s attorney later complained to police, bringing his claim to the property under scrutiny.

The Call That Brought Police to His Door

West lived alone. A neighbor told WSVN that groceries had been left in his car and his door remained open after he stopped appearing outside. Sguros was among the officers who responded to the July 2022 welfare check and found him dead.

According to the sheriff’s account, Sguros subsequently presented himself to the medical examiner’s office as West’s friend and said West had no surviving family. Investigators say neither claim was supported: they found no indication of an existing friendship, and West did have living relatives.

The alleged takeover began within weeks. Documents later submitted by Sguros put his possession of the property in August 2022, according to authorities.

The neighbor told WSVN that Sguros said his friend had given him the house before dying. She also described extensive work inside the property and conversations in which he discussed renting it out.

Bills and Permits in the Homeowner’s Name

Investigators allege Sguros kept paying taxes and utility bills under West’s name. They also say he used West’s personal information to obtain a city repair permit and forged the homeowner’s signature.

The accusations extend to information available through police work. Authorities say Sguros searched law enforcement databases for West’s personal details, including identifying information.

NBC News’ reporting, also published by Telemundo, describes criminal allegations involving misuse of a deceased person’s identification, official misconduct, computer access and a communication device. Sguros has not been convicted in the case.

His explanation for working on the home appears in civil filings described by PEOPLE and NBC reporting. Sguros maintained that he secured and improved a hazardous property to discourage criminal activity and squatters.

A New Owner Asked for the Keys

The dispute surfaced when a real estate company bought the home from West’s heirs. According to PEOPLE’s account of the court records, a company employee encountered Sguros when trying to take possession.

Sguros gave up the keys. He claimed he had spent more than $214,000 of his own money improving the residence.

In February 2026, he filed a complaint seeking more than $200,000 from the company. An attorney for the company then complained to Lauderhill police in May, according to the reporting.

Released on Bond, Removed From Duty

After appearing in court October 21, Sguros posted a $25,000 bond and left the Broward County Jail. Lauderhill police placed him on administrative leave without pay.

References: Lauderhill Police officer accused of taking over dead man’s home, used victim’s ID to get repair permits | Fla. Officer Found Man Dead During Welfare Check 4 Years Ago. Now He’s Accused of Stealing His Identity, Taking Over His Home | Policia que hallo a un hombre muerto en una casa de Florida se mudo alli, la renovo y se hizo pasar por el durante anos | Florida police officer accused of stealing dead man’s identity to take over home

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