A Florida police officer who discovered a 71-year-old man dead during a routine welfare check allegedly used the opportunity to take over the man’s home, impersonate him and carry out more than $200,000 in renovations before a property dispute exposed the alleged scheme.
Brian Louis Sguros, 35, an officer with the Lauderhill Police Department in Broward County, was arrested Tuesday, October 20, following an investigation into allegations that he illegally occupied a deceased man’s property for more than four years.
Investigators say Sguros used confidential police databases to obtain the man’s personal information, submitted documents bearing his name and signature, and even represented himself as a friend of the deceased homeowner.
The unusual case began July 11, 2022, when Sguros and another Lauderhill officer responded to a welfare check at the home of Dennis Ionis West, 71.
A concerned neighbor had called authorities after West had not been seen for approximately two weeks.
When officers entered the residence, they discovered West dead inside. His death was later determined to be from natural causes.
But according to a 21-page arrest affidavit, Sguros allegedly became involved in West’s personal affairs almost immediately afterward.
Investigators claim the officer contacted the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office and identified himself as West’s friend, despite authorities finding no evidence that the two men had known each other.
He also allegedly told officials that West had no surviving family members, a claim investigators later determined was false.
Within weeks of discovering the body, Sguros reportedly took possession of West’s home in Lauderhill, approximately 30 miles north of Miami.
According to investigators, he eventually moved into the residence with his partner and began making extensive improvements to the property.
Sguros allegedly paid property taxes and utility bills under West’s name, creating the appearance that the deceased homeowner was still associated with the residence.
But detectives say the alleged deception went much further.
Investigators discovered that Sguros had accessed law enforcement databases on seven occasions between July 2022 and January 2023 to obtain information about West, including his address, date of birth and Social Security number.
Authorities believe that information was later used in connection with paperwork submitted to the city.
In August 2024, a building permit application was filed for an $8,000 project involving replacement windows and exterior doors.
The application listed West as the homeowner, included his driver’s license information and featured what appeared to be his signature.
The paperwork also suggested that West had personally appeared before a notary, despite having been dead for more than two years.
Investigators subsequently determined that the phone number provided for West on the application actually belonged to Sguros.
A notary whose name appeared on the document also told detectives she did not recognize the paperwork and that the signature attributed to her was not genuine.
According to Broward County Property Appraiser Marty Kiar, the allegations are especially troubling because Sguros allegedly gained access to the property through his official responsibilities as a police officer.
The alleged scheme might have continued unnoticed if West’s surviving relatives had not become involved.
Investigators say a real estate company, Equinox Realty Holdings, eventually acquired ownership interests in the home from West’s lawful heirs.
When representatives of the company attempted to take possession of the property, they discovered that Sguros was living there.
Although the officer eventually surrendered the keys, he allegedly demanded compensation for the improvements he had made.
According to court records, Sguros claimed he had spent at least $214,000 of his own money repairing, cleaning and renovating the property.
He also estimated that the house was worth approximately $500,000 after the improvements.
The dispute escalated in February 2026 when Sguros filed a civil lawsuit seeking reimbursement for the work, arguing that he had invested substantial money into maintaining the home.
In his filing, he acknowledged taking possession of the property around August 1, 2022, just weeks after West’s death.
Sguros reportedly maintained that he initially became involved because the property was in poor condition and he wanted to prevent squatters, criminal activity and further deterioration.
However, investigators allege that those explanations do not justify his use of the deceased man’s identity or the documents submitted in connection with the property.
The dispute eventually reached the Lauderhill Police Department, which received a complaint in May 2026.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office and the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office subsequently launched a joint investigation, examining property records, electronic communications, police database searches and other evidence.
Their findings led to Sguros’ arrest on October 20.
He faces five criminal charges, including official misconduct, criminal use of a deceased person’s identification, criminal use of personal identification information, an offense against users of computers and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
During a court appearance Wednesday, October 21, a Broward County judge set his bond at $25,000.
The judge also ordered Sguros to stay away from the property and avoid contact with West’s family.
Sguros later posted bond and was released from the Broward County Jail.
Following his arrest, the Lauderhill Police Department placed him on administrative leave without pay.
He had previously been relieved of duty in July while the investigation was underway, initially receiving paid administrative leave.
The allegations have drawn attention because of the unusual circumstances surrounding the case and the apparent misuse of access granted to law enforcement officers.
Police officers routinely encounter vulnerable individuals and sensitive personal information while performing their duties. Authorities say that access carries a responsibility to protect the public’s privacy and property rights.
In this case, investigators allege that Sguros exploited information and access obtained during an official welfare check for personal financial benefit.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not announced whether additional charges will be filed.
Sguros has not been convicted of any crime and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
