A Lauderhill police officer is facing multiple felony charges after authorities allege he staged an elaborate takeover of a home belonging to a man he discovered dead during a routine welfare check. Brian Louis Sguros, 35, was arrested by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office following an investigation into how he managed to live in the residence for several years without detection. The plot reportedly began in 2022 when Sguros arrived as backup for a wellness call and found 71 year old Dennis West dead of natural causes inside the property.
Instead of simply reporting the discovery, investigators say Sguros launched a calculated effort to seize control of the estate. He allegedly lied to the medical examiner’s office, claiming he was a close friend of Mr. West and falsely asserting that the deceased man had no surviving relatives. These deceptive claims allowed him to arrange for cremation and move into the two story south Florida home shortly thereafter. Body camera footage from the initial scene later contradicted these claims, showing no evidence that Sguros ever had a prior relationship with West.
While residing in the stolen home, Sguros treated the property as his own, paying utilities under the deceased man’s name and investing heavily in renovations. According to court documents, he spent over 214 thousand dollars improving the house and even applied for permits to replace windows and doors. When questioned about his presence in the home, Sguros argued that he took possession purely to protect the hazardous property from squatters and increase its overall market value.
The deception finally unraveled when Mr. West’s actual heirs attempted to sell the property, alerting local law enforcement to an unexpected occupant. Even after being forced to return the keys to the rightful owners, Sguros allegedly demanded reimbursement for the money he spent on upgrades. He now faces various charges including official misconduct and criminal use of a deceased person’s identity. While awaiting trial on a twenty five thousand dollar bond, he remains on administrative leave from his position with the Lauderhill Police Department.
