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Suspended Broward officer runs out of jail after arrest for alleged identity theft on dead man
Brian Louis Sguros, a suspended Lauderhill police officer accused of using a deceased man’s identity to take control of his home, was released from the Broward County Jail on Wednesday after posting a $25,000 bond.
Sguros, 35, walked out of the jail wearing two surgical masks and declined to answer questions from reporters waiting outside, according to local news reports. His release came one day after his arrest on multiple felony charges stemming from an investigation into alleged misconduct and property fraud.
Officer Accused of Taking Over Deceased Man’s Home
The case dates back to July 11, 2022, when Sguros and other officers responded to a welfare check at the Lauderhill home of Dennis Ionis West, 71. Officers discovered West had died of natural causes.
Investigators allege that Sguros subsequently became involved in West’s affairs and falsely represented himself as the deceased man’s friend. Authorities say there was no evidence the two knew each other and that Sguros allegedly misrepresented whether West had surviving relatives.
According to investigators, Sguros then took control of the property without legal authority, paid taxes and utility bills using West’s identity, and allegedly used the deceased man’s personal information to obtain permits for renovations.
Authorities also allege that Sguros accessed law enforcement databases to obtain information about West and forged the deceased man’s signature on a building permit application.
How the Alleged Scheme Came to Light
The situation came to investigators’ attention after West’s surviving heirs became involved in the property’s ownership. A real estate company that acquired interests in the home encountered Sguros occupying the property, leading to a dispute over ownership and his claimed investment in renovations.
According to reports, Sguros later sought reimbursement for improvements he said he had made to the house. The ensuing property dispute helped bring the allegations to the attention of authorities, prompting a joint investigation involving the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office.
Five Felony Charges
Sguros faces five charges, including official misconduct, criminal use of a deceased person’s personal identification information, criminal use of personal identification information, an offense involving computer systems and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
A judge set his bond at $25,000 during a court appearance on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. The judge also ordered him to stay away from the property and have no contact with the family involved in the case.
The Lauderhill Police Department placed Sguros on administrative leave without pay following his arrest. He had previously been relieved of duty and placed on leave with pay while the allegations were being investigated.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the charges against Sguros are allegations that have not been proven in court. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: CBS Miami
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