Officer accused of moving into a dead man’s home and impersonating him for years

A man was found dead in his home during a welfare check in July 2022. Weeks later, one of the officers who discovered his body moved into the home and spent years impersonating him, according to investigators.

A 35-year-old police officer in Florida, United States, has been arrested for allegedly assuming a deceased man’s identity and occupying his home for years after discovering his body during a welfare check.

According to NBC News, the suspect, Brian Louis Sguros, an officer with the Lauderhill Police Department, was arrested on Tuesday, October 20, following an investigation into alleged fraud and identity theft.

Authorities said Sguros responded to a welfare check in July 2022, during which officers discovered 71-year-old Dennis Ionis West dead inside his residence.

Investigators alleged that Sguros subsequently took possession of the property without legal authorisation and moved in with his partner.

He reportedly spent more than $214,000 renovating the house, paid utility bills and property taxes, and allegedly impersonated West to obtain construction permits.

Police also accused him of forging documents, misusing a notary’s identity and accessing confidential law enforcement databases to obtain information about the deceased homeowner.

The alleged scheme came under investigation after West’s legal heirs were identified and representatives of a company purchasing the property discovered Sguros occupying the residence.

The officer faces several felony charges, including official misconduct, identity theft, computer-related offences and unlawful use of communication devices.

Following his arrest, Sguros was placed on administrative leave without pay.

Authorities said investigations into the alleged misconduct remain ongoing, while the case has raised concerns about abuse of police authority and protection of deceased persons’ property.

Sguros appeared before a Broward County judge on Wednesday, with bail reportedly set at $25,000.