Lauderhill cop in cuffs after trying to take dead man’s identity, steal his home: BSO

Broward County admin October 21, 2026 0 Comments

Lauderhill cop in cuffs after trying to take dead man’s identity, steal his home: BSO

When a Lauderhill cop found a 71-year-old man dead while on patrol he saw an opportunity to assume his life and steal his home, authorities say.

Brian Louis Sguros, 35, is facing charges of public servant falsifying an official document, using the personal ID of the deceased, using ID of another without consent, using a computer to defraud and obtain property and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, jail records show. As of Tuesday evening, Sguros still sat in the Broward County Main Jail.

In July 2022, Sguros was just a backup officer on a welfare check of Dennis West, 71, at his home in Lauderhill, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said. West was found dead inside from natural causes.

Soon after, Sguros began his scheme involving himself in “West’s post-death affairs,” deputies said. He told the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office he was West’s friend to collect information.

“There is no indication he knew West, and stated that West had no living family, which was untrue,” authorities said.

Sgruos began to pay the taxes and utilities of West’s home in his name, using his identification to make it seem like he was still alive to game repairs from the City of Lauderhill.

The officer went as far to use law enforcement databases to gain more information about West.

He officially told the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office in February 2025 that he was in possession of West’s home dating back to just weeks after his death.

In May, the Lauderhill police department received a complaint about the situation and an Internal Affairs investigation was opened, the department said.

Its investigation revealed Sgruos “took possession of [West’s] home without any legal right to it…,” Lauderhill police said in a statement.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office and Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office’s Crimes Against Property Unit were given the case to look further into.

He was arrested Tuesday by the sheriff’s office.

Sguros served as a Lauderhill police officer since March 8, 2021. He was relieved of duty and placed on administrative leave with pay on July 22. After his arrest, he was placed on administrative leave without pay as the department’s internal administrative investigation continues.

“Every officer in this Department swears an oath to protect the people of Lauderhill, including those who can no longer speak for themselves,” said Chief of Police Constance Stanley. “As soon as this complaint reached us, we opened an investigation and brought in outside partners to follow the facts wherever they led. Wearing this badge does not put anyone above the law, and we expect our officers live up to that oath every day.”