A VENEZUELAN man has been arrested after allegedly posing as a teenage boy and attending high school for over a year.
School bosses in Ohio claimed that Anthony E. Labrador-Sierra, 24, had even played on soccer and swim teams alongside kids.
The alleged ruse was only discovered when a woman claimed that Labrador-Sierra was the father of her child, reported CBS-affiliated WTOL-11.
Perrysburg Schools told parents in a statement about an “incident involving a student who was (allegedly) enrolled under false pretenses.
“On May 19, 2025, Anthony Labrador was arrested on charges of felony forgery by the Perrysburg Police Department.
“Labrador had been enrolled at Perrysburg High School under the name and age of a 16-year-old unaccompanied minor on January 11, 2024.”
The district stated that the situation was in compliance with federal and state regulations regarding the enrollment of homeless students or those without a legal guardian.
Additionally, the alleged fraudster’s possession of multiple forms of identification, such as an Ohio driver’s license and a federal Social Security number, further complicated the matter, school authorities explained.
Labrador-Sierra was also “issued federal Temporary Protective Status (TPS) from the US Immigration Department.”
Guardianship had been granted to a Perrysburg family by the Wood County Juvenile Court, the statement said.
Furthermore, school officials noted that “On the evening of May 14, the guardians who had assumed responsibility for Labrador contacted the school district to report that they had been provided with information indicating that he was not a minor, but a 24-year-old adult.”
“On May 15, district administrators met with Labrador to address the concern.
“He denied the allegation and asserted that the birth certificate submitted during his enrollment — which indicates he is currently 17 years old — was accurate.
“Given the seriousness of the claim, Perrysburg Schools immediately directed the guardians to keep Labrador off school property while the matter was investigated further.”
WTOL said that the family which had taken him in was contacted last week by a woman who claimed that Labrador-Sierra was the father of her child.
His adoptive family is understood to have then alerted Perrysburg Schools, which contacted the cops.
This resulted in the launching of a fraud case, with help provided by US Customs and Border Protection and ICE.
Given the seriousness of the claim, Perrysburg Schools immediately directed the guardians to keep Labrador off school property
Perrysburg Schools administrators said that after being alerted to the possible fraud, they “had investigated this claim further based on the information provided by the guardians.”
They added, “Through their investigation (the administrators) found social media posts by others, including those claiming to be Labrador’s family.
“The school district contacted the Perrysburg Police Division who initiated their own investigation.
“The subsequent investigation ultimately led to Labrador’s arrest on May 19.”
The officials described the fraud case as involving “highly unusual and deceptive circumstances that impacted many local, state and federal agencies.”
PLAYED SOCCER
They also confirmed that the alleged fake teen had been a member of the JV Soccer and Swim teams.
The school district has reported the situation to the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), the governing body of athletic programs for junior and senior high schools in the state of Ohio.
A spokesperson for the OHSAA commended district administrators for their “communication and transparency.”
They added in a response to school officials, “After a review, Perrysburg HS took all appropriate actions to verify this person’s information, and even inquired/communicated with our office back in the fall, in order to determine their athletic eligibility.
“As your Superintendent indicated, this case involves highly unusual and deceptive circumstances that impacted many local, state and federal agencies, and your school had no way of knowing/combating this falsification.
“As such, there are no penalties or forfeitures which will be required of your sports teams on which this individual played.
“Also, I know this person will not be coming back to any school, but his eligibility has been revoked under Bylaw 4-1-2, Falsification.
Thanks again for your efforts.”
What’s most heartbreaking is how many responded in good faith. Staff and local families offered support to someone they believed was a vulnerable teen
State Rep. Haraz Haraz N. Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg), told WTOL that he believed the investigation could also examine who “knew what and when.”
He said, “Who knows if other individuals within the school or within the community knew that this individual was here under alleged false pretenses.
“As that investigation progresses, I’m sure we will learn that.
“And if that comes to be the case in which someone knew that this individual was here illegally – allegedly – or was allegedly under false pretences to enter our school, then I’m sure that there will be more law enforcement investigations into that.”
VISA EXPIRED
According to Perrysburg police, US Border Patrol has confirmed that Labrador-Sierra was born in March of 2001, and his work visa expired in 2023 – which is the same year the young man contacted the school district to ask about enrolling.
Since being charged with forgery, Labrador-Sierra has appeared by video link in court, and he is being held on a $50,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 29.
MISLED
Perrysburg Schools said in an update yesterday that “multiple agencies were misled by (his) falsified records.
“While the deception was complex and far-reaching, Perrysburg Schools acted swiftly and appropriately once concerns were raised.
“What’s most heartbreaking is how many responded in good faith.
“Staff and local families offered support to someone they believed was a vulnerable teen.
“Their compassion reflects the best of our community. Though trust was violated, we remain proud of those who chose to help.
“Student safety remains our highest priority. We are committed to transparency and to strengthening safeguards that protect every child in our schools.”
ANGLES
Police Chief Patrick Jones said, “At this time, we are continuing to conduct a thorough investigation, along with our Federal law enforcement partners.
“We are looking at this from several different angles. At this point we do not have any new information to report.”
SECURITY LAPSES
Matthew Tregesser, USCIS spokesman, said, “This type of incident is an example of the kind of glaring security lapses that characterized the previous administration.
“USCIS is laser-focused on restoring integrity to our immigration system.
“To that end, we are increasing screening and vetting procedures of aliens filing for immigration benefits.
“That includes collecting beneficiary information and biometric data as necessary. It is our duty to promote national security and public safety and to mitigate fraud, and that all starts with better screening and vetting.”
