Florida police officer arrested for living in dead man's house for years
Officer Brian Sguros posed as a dead homeowner, living in his $570,000 house for 2.5 years.
A Florida police officer has been arrested for impersonating a dead homeowner and living in his house for years. Brian Sguros, a Lauderhill officer, found Dennis West dead during a welfare check in August 2022, then spent the next two and a half years renovating the $570,000 property.
Sguros paid taxes and utilities in West's name and forged his signature to obtain permits for work. Authorities say Sguros told the medical examiner he was friends with West and that the man had no family, which was false.
He spent more than $200,000 of his own money on repairs, arguing he was protecting the community and preventing squatters. The scheme unraveled when a real estate company purchased the property from West's actual relatives in 2025.
Sguros was arrested and charged with five felonies, including official misconduct and criminal use of deceased personal identification.
Why it mattersA law enforcement officer abused his position and access to records to wrongfully occupy and profit from a property through identity fraud.
AustraliaThe case demonstrates how law enforcement access to personal databases and records can be misused for serious fraud if not properly monitored.
Corroborated by7news.com.au
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