Sguros was arrested this week and charged with five felonies, including official misconduct and criminal use of deceased personal identification. He appeared in court at a brief hearing on Wednesday (US time) and then left quickly, avoiding reporters. He has been suspended from his job.
Court documents from a related civil case reveal that Sguros' actions came to light after a real estate group purchased the house from the man's relatives in 2025. Sguros said in an affidavit that in August 2022, less than a month after finding Dennis West dead inside the Lauderhill home, he took possession of the property and spent the next 2½ years making repairs, spending more than $US200,000 of his own money. He described the house as filled with rubbish, with a partially collapsed roof and an unstable structure.
Sguros argued in another court document that he took over the property "believing that by cleaning, securing and restoring a dangerous and abandoned residence, he was acting lawfully and responsibly to protect the surrounding community." He maintained that he made no attempt to hide his actions.
However, investigators with the Broward County Sheriff's Office said the deception began when Sguros told the county medical examiner that he was friends with West, who had died of natural causes, and that the man had no family, both of which were false. Sguros paid taxes and utilities at the home in West's name and forged his signature to obtain permits for work, the sheriff's office said. Investigators also allege he used his access to law enforcement databases to find information about West.
The officer filed paperwork with the county appraiser in February 2025 claiming possession of the home. After the real estate group acquired the deeds, Sguros filed a civil case against the company seeking reimbursement for the money he spent on repairs.
Messages seeking comment were left with one of his lawyers and Sguros.