Florida Police Officer Accused of Taking Over Dead Man’s Home After Discovering His Body

A Florida police officer who helped discover a man’s body during a welfare check in 2022 is now accused of using the deceased man’s identity and taking control of his home for more than four years.

Brian Louis Sguros, 35, an officer with the Lauderhill Police Department, was arrested on October 20, 2026, and faces multiple felony charges in connection with the alleged scheme, according to authorities.

The case began in July 2022, when Sguros and another officer responded to a welfare check at the home of Dennis Ionis West, 71. West was found dead inside the property. An autopsy determined that he had died of cardiovascular disease.

Investigators allege that Sguros later told the medical examiner’s office he was West’s friend and claimed the deceased man had no living relatives. Authorities say West did, in fact, have surviving family members and legal heirs.

Allegations of Identity Theft and Forged Documents

According to investigators, Sguros began taking control of the property weeks after West’s death. He allegedly paid taxes and utility bills connected to the home and accessed law enforcement databases to obtain West’s personal information, including details from his driver’s license.

Authorities also allege that Sguros used West’s identity on paperwork for home renovations, including a building permit filed years after West had died. Investigators say the documents contained a signature purported to be West’s.

Sguros has reportedly maintained that he spent at least $214,000 cleaning, securing and renovating the property. He said the work was intended to prevent squatters and criminal activity at the vacant home.

The situation came to light after a real estate company acquired the property from West’s heirs. When a representative sought to take possession of the home, Sguros reportedly handed over the keys but demanded reimbursement for the renovations.

In February 2026, he filed a civil complaint seeking more than $200,000 for the work he said he had carried out. A subsequent complaint to the police department prompted further investigation into his role in the property dispute.

Officer Placed on Leave

Sguros faces five charges, including official misconduct, criminal use of a deceased person’s identification information, criminal use of personal identification information, an offense involving a computer user and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.

He appeared in court on October 21 and was released after posting a $25,000 bond. He has been placed on administrative leave without pay while the investigation continues.

The allegations have raised serious questions about the alleged misuse of police access and the rights of a deceased person’s family. However, the charges remain allegations, and the case has not yet established guilt in court.

Source:  PEOPLE