Brian Sguros, a 35-year-old police officer with the Lauderhill Police Department, faces multiple charges after allegedly committing identity theft when Dennis West passed away in 2022. The police officer had taken over the home of Dennis under false pretenses.
It Started With A Welfare Check
The Guardian reported that it started when officers were called to do a welfare check when a neighbor called in. West was dead of natural causes, and Sguros allegedly used West’s identification to keep the home, while making it seem as if it was still occupied by West.
The outlet said that a “21-page arrest affidavit alleges Sguros forged West’s signature on multiple documents, and between August 2022 and February 2025 spent more than $210,000 of his own money upgrading the property, including replacing doors and windows in 2024.”
The Identity Theft
The allegations are that Brian Sguros claimed he was a friend of West, and also said that he had no known relatives. Then he used West’s papers to get permits, permissions, and pay for taxes and utilities. The officer even went so far as to spend money on home improvements.
Unfortunately, the whole thing fell through when the heirs of Dennis West sold the home last year. Sguros was living in the home at the time and had told people he was looking after the place.
According to NBC Miami, “In sworn statements through civil pleadings, Sguros maintained that he took possession of the property and acted because it was hazardous and he wanted to prevent criminal activity and people from squatting.”
The arrest on October 20 came after “Sguros and his spouse filed a form with the Broward County Property Appraiser seeking to establish a claim to the home, according to the affidavit.”
The Charges
The charges that the police officer faces include misconduct because arrest affidavit claimed he used law enforcement to obtain the information he needed to hold onto the home and carry out improvements. Other charges were related to “criminal use of a deceased person’s identification.”
He appeared in a Broward County court and was granted bond of $25,000. He was also suspended from work with no pay.
There was a civil clash with the property owners because Sguros wants the money back that he spent on home improvements. It was that clash that caused the real estate company to make a report to the police.
The New York Times confirmed that Brian Sguros had “filed a formal legal notice to begin the process of claiming ownership of the property.” Apart from posting bond, he was ordered to have no contact with the family of Mr. West, and to stay away from the home.
There isn’t a court date yet because the case is still under investigation.
Crime Followers React
When ABC7LA shared the news on Instagram, many people had something to say about it. One person commented, “Imagine what else he did as a police officer that we don’t know about.”
Here are a few more responses from the discussion:
- “Housing market is bad when you have to pretend to be someone else.”
- “Still in shock to know this can actually cross a persons mind.”
- “Nothing shocks me anymore.”
Your thoughts? Join the discussion and then come back for more true crime news and updates. We also have a crime channel on TikTok that you can follow.