Lauderhill officer accused of using dead resident's identity to take over home is released on bond

Arrest and court appearance

LAUDERHILL, Fla. — A Lauderhill police officer accused of taking control of a deceased resident's home and using his identity to obtain repair permits was released on bond Wednesday, a day after his arrest. Brian Louis Sguros, 35, appeared before a Broward County judge, who set bond at $25,000. CBS Miami and WSVN reported that he posted it and left the county jail Wednesday afternoon. ^{[1] [3] [4]}

The Broward Sheriff's Office said Sguros was arrested Oct. 20 on five felony charges: 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. These are accusations, not findings of guilt; the criminal case and investigation remain active. ^{[1] [2]}

How the case began

Investigators traced the allegations to July 11, 2022, when Sguros assisted with a welfare check at a home on Northwest 12th Street in Lauderhill. Officers found the owner, 71-year-old Dennis West, dead inside. Authorities said he had died of natural causes. The death is the starting point of the alleged property scheme, not a new death connected to the October arrest. ^{[1] [2]}

According to the sheriff's office, Sguros later represented himself to the Broward medical examiner as West's friend and said West had no living family. Investigators said they found no indication that the two knew each other and identified lawful heirs. They allege Sguros took possession of the home without a legal right to it, paid taxes and utilities in West's name and used West's identification to secure a city permit for repairs. ^{[1] [2] [4]}

The sheriff's account also says a signature on the permit was forged and that Sguros filed paperwork with the Broward County Property Appraiser's Office in February 2025 asserting that his possession dated to August 2022. NBC 6 reported that investigators additionally accused him of using a notary's name and seal on a building-permit application, sending documents by cellphone and accessing police computer systems without authorization to look up West's records. Those details remain allegations. ^{[1] [2]}

Employment status and what remains unresolved

The investigation was conducted jointly by the Broward Sheriff's Office and the Broward County Property Appraiser's Office Crimes Against Property Unit after information was referred by Lauderhill police. NBC 6 reported that Lauderhill began its own investigation following a complaint received May 27. The police department relieved Sguros of duty July 22 and initially placed him on paid administrative leave; following his arrest, it changed that status to leave without pay. ^{[1] [2]}

WSVN reported that the judge barred Sguros from returning to West's property while the case proceeds. Authorities have not announced a trial outcome, and the public accounts reviewed do not establish a final resolution of ownership or the allegations. The Broward Sheriff's Office said its investigation remains ongoing. ^{[1] [3]}