LAUDERHILL, FL. (THECOUNT) — Brian Louis Sguros, a 35-year-old Lauderhill police officer, has been arrested after investigators accused him of using a dead man’s identity to take possession of the man’s home, pay bills in his name and allegedly forge his signature to obtain a repair permit. The case involves Dennis West, who was found dead inside his Lauderhill, Florida, home in July 2022.
Sguros was arrested Tuesday, October 20, following a joint investigation involving the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office. He faces multiple felony charges, including official misconduct, criminal use of a deceased person’s identification, criminal use of personal identification information, an offense against a computer user and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
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According to investigators, the case began with a welfare check on July 11, 2022, at a home at 4551 N.W. 12th St. in Lauderhill. Sguros responded as a backup officer alongside other officers. They found West dead inside the residence, and his death was determined to be from natural causes.
Investigators allege that Sguros later involved himself in West’s affairs. He reportedly presented himself to the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office as West’s friend and claimed the deceased man had no living family. Investigators said that claim was untrue and that they found no indication Sguros knew West.
Detectives allege Sguros then used West’s personal information to make it appear that the deceased man was still alive. Investigators said he paid property taxes and utility bills in West’s name and used West’s identification to apply for a city permit to repair the property.
The detective overseeing the investigation also alleged that Sguros forged West’s signature on the permit application, according to the sheriff’s office. Investigators further accused the officer of accessing law enforcement databases to obtain information about West.
The property investigation continued into 2025. In February of that year, Sguros filed paperwork with the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office claiming he had possessed the home since August 2022, investigators said. That date was only weeks after West’s death.
NBC 6 reported that the investigation began after a complaint was received on May 27. The information led investigators to examine Sguros’ alleged handling of the property and his use of West’s identity. Authorities later identified West’s lawful heirs.
Sguros was relieved of duty and placed on paid administrative leave on July 22, according to NBC 6. Following his arrest, he was placed on administrative leave without pay. The investigation remains active.
Lauderhill is in Broward County, part of the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area in South Florida. The home associated with the investigation is located at 4551 N.W. 12th St. in Lauderhill.
Google Maps: 4551 N.W. 12th St., Lauderhill, Florida
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