A Florida police officer who found the body of an elderly man while carrying out a welfare check over four years ago is now accused of stealing the man’s identity and taking over his home in a lengthy scam that allegedly went on for years.
The officer with the Lauderhill Police Department was arrested on Tuesday, October 20, after an investigation by the Broward Sheriff’s Office. According to People, investigators say the officer used the personal details of Dennis West, who was 71 at the time of his death in 2022, to make it appear as if West was still alive and in possession of his property.
He is now facing a number of charges, including official misconduct, criminal use of deceased personal identification, criminal use of personal identification information, offense against a computer user, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
The police officer allegedly used the dead man’s identity for years
The police officer allegedly first saw West in 2022 during a welfare check at his Lauderhill home. Rather than simply doing his job, the officer allegedly devised a plan to take possession of the property.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office said the officer falsely claimed to be a friend of West and told the medical examiner’s office that the man had no family. Investigators say he later used restricted law enforcement databases to obtain West’s personal information.
People reports that the officer is accused of paying the property taxes and utility bills under West’s name and signing a city permit with West’s signature. He is also accused of submitting documents that said he had owned the property since August 2022, a few months after West died.
$214,000 renovation claim exposes alleged scheme
The scheme is said to have failed when Equinox Realty Holdings took control of the property from West’s family and tried to take over the house. According to The Independent, the officer eventually handed over the keys but insisted on reimbursement for the work he said he’d done to the property.
Court documents show the officer claimed to have made around $214,000 in repairs and improvements. In February 2026, the officer filed a claim for the work. An attorney for the real estate company then contacted the Lauderhill Police Department, which led to an investigation.
The officer claimed he took over the property to prevent squatting and criminal activity, not to steal the house.
Police chief responds to officer’s arrest
Lauderhill Police Chief Constance Stanley denounced the alleged misconduct and made it clear that officers must be held accountable for their actions.
“Every officer in this Department takes an oath to protect the people of Lauderhill, including those who can no longer speak for themselves,” Stanley told the Miami Herald (via The Independent). “Wearing this badge in no way puts you above the law.”
The officer, who joined the department in March 2021, was relieved of duty and, after his arrest, placed on administrative leave without pay.
According to People, he appeared in court on Wednesday, October 21st and was released from the Broward County Jail on a $25,000 bond. The investigation is still ongoing.