Local
Lauderhill officer charged after alleged misuse of deceased resident’s identity
Brian Sguros, 35, was arrested Tuesday after investigators accused him of taking control of a Lauderhill resident’s home and using the deceased person’s identity. The investigation began after a complaint in May, police said.
A Lauderhill police officer was arrested Tuesday on charges alleging he used a deceased resident’s identity and took possession of the person’s home without legal authority, according to police and an arrest affidavit.
Brian Sguros, 35, faces charges that include criminal use of a deceased person’s personal identification information, criminal use of personal identification information and an offense against computer users.
The investigation began May 27 after police received a complaint. Investigators traced the alleged conduct to a July 2022 welfare check, when Sguros and other officers responded to a Lauderhill home and found a resident who had died of natural causes, the affidavit says.
Sguros allegedly later used the resident’s identity, as well as a notary’s name and seal, on a City of Lauderhill building-permit application. Investigators also accuse him of sending the documents from his cellphone and accessing police computers without authorization to search for the resident’s records. The resident’s lawful heirs were later identified, according to the affidavit.
Sguros was relieved of duty and placed on paid administrative leave July 22 while the department investigated. After his arrest, he was placed on leave without pay, police said. The investigation remains active. The allegations have not been proven in court.