Investigators say Officer Brian Louis Sguros used a deceased resident’s information, forged a signature and accessed police databases while pursuing control of the property.
LAUDERHILL, FL — A Lauderhill police officer was arrested Tuesday after investigators accused him of using a dead man’s identity and his access to law enforcement records as part of a yearslong effort to take control of the man’s home after responding to a welfare check there.
Brian Louis Sguros, 35, faces five felony charges following a joint investigation by the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office Crimes Against Property Unit. Authorities allege Sguros became involved in the affairs of Dennis West after West, 71, was found dead of natural causes inside his Lauderhill home in July 2022. Investigators say Sguros had no legal right to the property and had no known relationship with West before the welfare check.
Sguros was arrested Oct. 20 on charges of official misconduct, criminal use of a deceased person’s personal identification, criminal use of personal identification information, an offense against a computer user and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. The investigation remains active, and the charges are allegations that have not been proven in court.
The case dates to July 11, 2022, when Sguros responded as a backup officer to a welfare check at West’s home on Northwest 12th Street in Lauderhill. Officers found West dead inside the residence. Investigators said Sguros later represented himself to the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office as a friend of West, although authorities said they found no indication the two knew each other. Sguros also allegedly told the medical examiner’s office that West had no living family, which investigators said was false.
Authorities allege Sguros then began paying taxes and utility bills for the property using West’s name. Investigators said he also used West’s identification in an effort to make it appear that the homeowner was still alive when applying to the city of Lauderhill for a permit connected to repairs at the residence. A Broward Sheriff’s Office detective said Sguros forged West’s signature on the permit, according to the agency’s account of the investigation.
An arrest affidavit also alleges Sguros used a notary’s name and seal on a city building permit application and used his cellphone to transmit documents connected to the application. Investigators further accused him of using police computer systems without authorization to search for information about West. Authorities have not publicly detailed every record Sguros allegedly accessed or said how the information was later used beyond the conduct described in the investigation.
Investigators said Sguros filed paperwork with the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office in February 2025 claiming that his possession of the property began in August 2022, only weeks after West’s death. Local reporting described the case as involving an alleged effort to establish possession of the property. Authorities said West’s lawful heirs were later identified through probate proceedings.
The investigation began after information about a possible crime was provided by the Lauderhill Police Department, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Lauderhill police separately said an investigation was opened May 27 after the department received a complaint. Sguros was relieved of duty July 22 and initially placed on administrative leave with pay while the allegations were investigated. After his arrest Tuesday, the department placed him on administrative leave without pay.
Sguros joined the Lauderhill Police Department in March 2021, according to the department. Police Chief Constance Stanley said officers have an obligation to protect Lauderhill residents, “including those who can no longer speak for themselves.” The department has not announced the outcome of any internal disciplinary proceeding beyond Sguros’ current leave status.
Sguros was being held at the Broward County Main Jail on Tuesday afternoon and was expected to make a court appearance Wednesday, according to local reporting. The Broward Sheriff’s Office said its investigation, conducted with the property appraiser’s office and other participating agencies, remains ongoing. Authorities have not announced additional arrests or charges in connection with the case.
Author note: Last updated October 20, 2026.