Florida Officer Accused of Moving into Home After Finding Deceased Owner

A Florida police officer is facing criminal charges after allegedly moving into a home he discovered the deceased owner in and embarking on extensive renovations, prosecutors announced. Brian Louis Sguros, 35, a Lauderhill police officer, is accused of taking over the property shortly after he and another officer responded to a welfare check in July 2022.

According to an arrest affidavit, Sguros and his colleague found the body of Dennis Ionis West inside the residence. An autopsy later determined West had died of natural causes. Investigators allege that Sguros, after identifying himself as a friend of West's to the medical examiner's office and offering to arrange a funeral, took possession of the home approximately three weeks later.

Sguros reportedly spent more than two years cleaning, securing, and renovating the property, investing an estimated $214,000 in improvements. He also paid property taxes and utility bills, which remained in West's name.

Allegations of Identity Theft and Misconduct

The most serious accusations involve Sguros allegedly using West's identity to facilitate renovations. In August 2024, an application for an $8,000 project to replace windows and doors was submitted, listing West as the owner. The application reportedly included West's driver's license information and a signature purportedly his, despite West having been deceased for over two years. The phone number listed on the application was allegedly Sguros'. Detectives stated that an employee of the renovation company told them Sguros provided West's driver's license and other documents, leading the employee to believe West was alive and owned the property.

Furthermore, investigators claim Sguros improperly accessed law enforcement databases. Records indicate he conducted seven searches between July 2022 and January 2023 on a police-issued computer, looking up West's driver's license and vehicle registration details. These searches provided personal information including West's address, date of birth, Social Security number, and vehicle information. One search in January 2023 specifically identified West as deceased.

The charges against Sguros include official misconduct, criminal use of a deceased person’s identification information, criminal use of personal identification information, an offense against a computer user, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device.

Legal Disputes Over Property Ownership

While Sguros was renovating the house, legal ownership remained tied to West's estate. He and another individual filed paperwork seeking adverse possession of the property in February 2025. However, Equinox Realty Holdings located West's surviving heirs, acquired their ownership interests, and had those interests recognized by a Broward County court.

Sguros eventually surrendered the keys but continued to seek recoupment for his alleged investment. In February 2026, he filed a civil lawsuit seeking an equitable lien against the house, citing his renovation expenditures.

The company's attorney later alerted the Lauderhill Police Department and the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Deed Fraud Task Force, raising concerns about Sguros's actions and potential misuse of his official position. Sguros was arrested on Tuesday.