24-Year-Old Venezuelan Man Arrested for Posing as High School Student in Ohio

Perrysburg, Ohio, is the setting for a surprising case that highlights the complexities of immigration and identity fraud. Anthony Emmanuel Labrador Sierra, a 24-year-old Venezuelan national, was recently arrested for posing as a 16-year-old high school student. He successfully enrolled at Perrysburg High School in January 2024, using fraudulent documents to claim the status of an unaccompanied minor who had been trafficked to the U.S. This allowed him to obtain Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a Social Security number, and an Ohio driver's license. He lived with a local foster family. Detective Ryan Merrow of the Perrysburg Police Division stated, "The family was actually the one that informed the school." This deception was uncovered when a woman, identified as the mother of Labrador Sierra's child, contacted the foster family and provided evidence of his true age. The investigation confirmed his identity, leading to felony forgery charges and a $50,000 bond. ICE has initiated deportation proceedings. This case underscores the challenges faced by communities and authorities in verifying identities and protecting vulnerable minors.