23.10.2026 08:21
It has emerged that a police officer in the US state of Florida used the identity of a 71-year-old man he found dead in a home he had gone to for a welfare check to move into his property. The officer’s scheme, having lived in the home for years and had renovations done, was uncovered when the deceased man’s heirs wanted to sell the house. The detained officer was released on $25,000 bail and faced five separate charges.
Allegations that have emerged about a police officer serving in the US state of Florida have caused astonishment. It was determined that 35-year-old Brian Louis Sguros, assigned to the Lauderhill Police Department, used the identity of a man he found dead in his home in 2022 and moved into the man's property.
According to BBC, the incident began when a report was made to police to check on the health condition of 71-year-old Dennis West.
Sguros, who was part of the team that went to the house for the check, determined that West had died of natural causes. However, according to the investigation, the police officer took action afterward to take over the man's house.
HE INTRODUCED HIMSELF AS THE DEAD MAN'S FRIEND
In the investigation conducted by the Broward County Sheriff's Office, it was revealed that Sguros introduced himself to the medical examiner's office as Dennis West's friend and said the deceased man had no relatives.
However, examinations found no evidence that the two had known each other previously. Footage from the body camera used by the police officer on the day of the incident also showed there was no prior connection between them.
Moreover, contrary to the officer's claim, it was determined that West had living relatives.
It was also reported that Sguros arranged for West's body to be cremated during this process.
HE MOVED INTO THE HOUSE, AND NO ONE NOTICED FOR YEARS
The police officer moved into West's two-story house in August 2022 and continued living there for years.
It was determined that during this time Sguros paid bills registered in the dead man's name and applied for an $8,000 permit to change the house's doors and windows.
The police officer claimed that he spent more than $214,000 on the property and increased the house's value with the renovations he made.
EVERYTHING CAME TO LIGHT WHEN THE HEIRS WANTED TO SELL THE HOUSE
The incident, unnoticed for years, came to light when Dennis West's heirs took action to sell the house.
According to court documents, Sguros argued that the house was in a dangerous condition and that he stayed there to prevent squatters from moving into the property.
After handing the keys to the house over to its real owners, the police officer demanded money in return for the renovations he had had done.
FACING FIVE SEPARATE CHARGES
Brian Louis Sguros, taken into custody by the Broward County Sheriff's Office, was charged with five separate offenses, including misconduct in office and using a deceased person's identity for a criminal purpose.
Released on $25,000 bail, the police officer was placed on paid administrative leave by the department where he worked.
It was learned that Sguros has not yet made a statement regarding the charges against him.