Ohio High School Fooled by 24-Year-Old Immigrant

When school let out on Jan. 19, 2024, few at Perrysburg High in Ohio suspected one of their classmates was not what he seemed. Friendly. Active. Even part of the swim and soccer teams. But just over a year later, the illusion unraveled in a story that reads like something out of a Netflix thriller.

A Strange New 'Student' Arrives

In January 2024, 16-year-old Anthony Labrador enrolled at Perrysburg High School. He submitted a birth certificate from Venezuela and told the school he was an unaccompanied minor, homeless, and trafficked. All his documents seemed above board. They also followed protocol under the McKinney-Vento Act, which ensures public education for children experiencing homelessness.

He fit in quickly. He joined sports teams, went to class, and even received a Social Security number and Ohio driver's license. A local couple, Kathy and Brad Melfred, took guardianship of him in March 2024, later becoming his legal guardians by November.

But all was not as it seemed.

The Tip That Changed Everything

Things started to unravel in May 2025.

A woman named Evelyn Camacho reached out to the Melfreds, claiming Labrador wasn't a teenager at all — but a 24-year-old man named Anthony Emmanuel Labrador Sierra, who was the father of her child. She allegedly provided photos showing him with her and a young child, and even an old driver's license with a different birthdate: March 27, 2001.

The Melfreds, alarmed by the claim, reported the information to school administrators. Officials launched a quiet investigation and uncovered social media posts that allegedly supported Camacho's version of events.

Arrest and Fallout

Police arrested Labrador Sierra during a traffic stop on May 19, 2025. He was charged with felony forgery for allegedly using falsified documents to gain entry into the school system.

Additionally, he faces federal charges concerning firearms, fraud and immigration charges.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed that he had overstayed a work visa and was living in the U.S. without legal status. An immigration detainer was also issued.

In a statement reported by PEOPLE, the Department of Homeland Security described him as a "24-year-old illegal alien from Venezuela" who used fake documents to infiltrate a high school community.

ICE indicated federal charges may be forthcoming.

Labrador Sierra denied the accusations in a meeting with the school district, insisting the birth certificate he provided was accurate. Regardless, he was ordered to stay off school grounds as the investigation continued.

A Community Reacts

Perrysburg School Superintendent Tom Hosler called the situation "both troubling and heartbreaking," noting that staff and families had welcomed Labrador Sierra in good faith, according to PEOPLE.

"Their compassion and willingness to step up exemplify the very best of our values," he said in a letter shared with local media and reported by PEOPLE.

The district has since reviewed its enrollment protocols and believes it followed the law properly, given the documents presented and the protections in place for minors without guardians.

Questions Remain

Labrador Sierra's motives are still unclear. Why would an adult go to such lengths to pose as a high schooler? Was it a genuine attempt to seek a new start — or something more manipulative?

At time of writing, the state forgery charges have been dropped in favor of the federal charges, and Labrador Sierra is awaiting trial from Lucas Country jail.

The story has sparked national attention — not just for its bizarre twists, but for what it reveals about the vulnerabilities in systems meant to protect young people. This wasn't just a case of identity fraud. It was a breach of trust in a place designed to nurture and protect children.

References: Man, 24, Who Allegedly Posed as 16-Year-Old to Enroll in Ohio High School Arrested and Accused of Forgery | Ohio High School Says 24-Year-Old Man Posed as Teenager to Attend | Venezuelan Man, 24, Posed as a Teen and Attended Ohio High School for More Than Year, Officials Say | State charges dropped against Labrador Sierra in favor of federal case