Man, 24, Allegedly Posed as 16-Year-Old to Enroll in Ohio High School

Authorities in Ohio have arrested a 24-year-old man who allegedly used forged documents to pose as a 16-year-old student and enroll in a local high school.

Anthony Emmanuel Labrador Sierra was taken into custody by the Perrysburg Police Department on Monday, May 19, on felony forgery charges, according to a statement from the Perrysburg School District.

The case has raised serious concerns about school safety, immigration procedures, and document verification processes.

Labrador reportedly enrolled at Perrysburg High School in January 2024 after initially contacting the school district in November 2023.

In his communications, he claimed to be a homeless immigrant from Venezuela and alleged he had been a victim of human trafficking. He presented a Venezuelan birth certificate stating he was born on December 2, 2007, which led the district to accept him as a minor.

While enrolled, Labrador obtained an Ohio driver’s license and Social Security number, applied for a visa, and was granted temporary protected status, according to district officials.

He was later taken in by local residents Kathy and Brad Melfred, who first obtained temporary guardianship in March 2024 and became his permanent guardians by November 2024.

During his time at the school, Labrador participated in extracurricular activities including swimming and soccer and reportedly integrated well with his peers.

The situation unraveled on May 14, 2025, when a woman named Evelyn Camacho contacted the Melfreds and claimed Labrador was actually a 24-year-old man—and the father of her child.

According to police, Camacho provided photographs of Labrador with herself and a young child, as well as an image of a driver’s license indicating his actual birthdate as March 27, 2001.

Following the tip, the Melfreds notified school authorities, who launched an internal investigation. The school district discovered additional evidence on social media that supported the claim and subsequently contacted law enforcement.

Working in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Perrysburg Police determined that Labrador had overstayed an expired work visa and was residing in the U.S. illegally. He was arraigned the day after his arrest and is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on May 29 in Perrysburg Municipal Court.

Despite the allegations, Labrador has denied wrongdoing in meetings with school officials. He was instructed to stay off school property prior to his arrest.

“This situation is both troubling and heartbreaking,” said Tom Hosler, Superintendent of Perrysburg Schools, in a statement. “Members of our staff and community opened their hearts and homes to someone they believed was a vulnerable teenager who had been abused and needed help. While it appears this individual misrepresented himself and violated the trust of many, we remain proud of those who acted out of kindness and good faith.”

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a statement confirming Labrador’s immigration status.

“Anthony Emmanuel Labrador-Sierra is a 24-year-old illegal alien from Venezuela who has been posing as a teenager and attending Perrysburg High School,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “ICE lodged a detainer to ensure that this criminal illegal alien is removed from the community.”

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection echoed these statements, adding that federal charges are under consideration and further developments are expected.