PERRYSBURG, Ohio – A 24-year-old Venezuelan man was arrested in Perrysburg, Ohio, after allegedly enrolling in a local high school using fraudulent documents. The man, identified as Anthony Emmanuel Labrador Sierra, is facing charges of forgery and is being held on a $50,000 bond.
Fraudulent Enrollment and Discovery
The Perrysburg Local Schools contacted the Perrysburg Police Department on May 15, 2025, about possible fraudulent activity involving one of their students. After an investigation, it was revealed that Labrador Sierra had been posing as a 16-year-old and was enrolled at Perrysburg High School since January 2024.
Labrador Sierra reportedly used the identity of an unaccompanied minor to enroll, in accordance with federal and state guidelines for students who are homeless or lack a legal guardian. He allegedly obtained various legal documents, including a state-issued driver’s license, social security number, and Temporary Protective Status (TPS) from U.S. Immigration.
Deceptive Actions and Further Complications
During his time at the school, Labrador Sierra became involved in several activities, including joining the junior varsity soccer and swim teams. He also completed an application for a visa with the help of Advocating Opportunities, an organization that provides free legal assistance. However, suspicions about his true age surfaced when his guardians received information that he was, in fact, a 24-year-old man.
On May 14, 2025, Labrador’s guardians informed the school that they had discovered his real age. The next day, he was confronted by school officials and denied the allegations. Due to the seriousness of the situation, the school took immediate action to remove him from the campus.
Investigation and Legal Action
Perrysburg Schools, in partnership with the Perrysburg Police Division, worked to investigate the matter. The school emphasized that they had followed the proper legal processes when enrolling Labrador Sierra under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which provides support for homeless or unaccompanied minors.
The case has caught the attention of Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, who has expressed outrage at the situation. In a statement, he called for an investigation into the use of fraudulent documentation and the potential misuse of TPS (Temporary Protective Status) granted to Labrador Sierra. Moreno questioned how such an individual could be allowed to attend an Ohio high school for nearly a year and a half under false pretenses.
Federal Involvement and Next Steps
Labrador Sierra, who was initially a visa overstay when he entered the U.S. in 2019, was apprehended during a traffic stop on Interstate 75. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that Labrador Sierra had received TPS but did not immediately disclose when he was granted the status. DHS is currently reviewing the situation.
Labrador Sierra is scheduled to appear in court on May 29, 2025, and remains in custody at the Wood County Jail.
Continued Public Concern
This incident has raised significant questions about the verification processes in place for enrolling students, especially when it comes to foreign nationals. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as investigations continue.
Source Attribution:
- Perrysburg Police Department
- Fox News Digital
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security