22-05-2025
Examining Perrysburg Schools' identity fraud case through a legal lens
PERRYSBURG, Ohio (WJW) — Perrysburg Local Schools said it is conducting a full investigation into a highly deceptive and unusual case where a 24-year-old migrant from Venezuela enrolled at the high school using fraudulent documents and false pretenses.
Many in the community are left wondering: how did this happen?
Anthony Labrador Sierra, 24, is accused of posing as a 16-year-old high school student.
Immigration attorney Margaret Wong weighed in on the legal implications.
'I get goosebumps when I hear that my 16-year-old daughter could be in the same class as a 24-year-old man,' Wong said.
Labrador Sierra, a Venezuelan national, is accused of falsifying documents to enroll at Perrysburg High School. Authorities said he claimed to be an unaccompanied minor experiencing homelessness.
WATCH: Police arrest 24-year-old accused of posing as Ohio high school student
The district said it followed federal and state requirements under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which mandates enrollment for students experiencing homelessness or without a legal guardian.
Wong said the school was operating with the right intentions.
'I sort of feel bad for the school because I think now the school is sending out media releases saying it's not their fault,' she said. 'Of course it's not their fault. If someone lies to them — and it's such a small, beautiful, welcoming town — I think we shouldn't blame the school. We should ask what kind of people come to America and do that.'
Labrador Sierra participated in the junior varsity soccer and swim teams, which raises concerns about an unfair competitive advantage due to his age.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) issued a statement:
'Thanks again for your communication and transparency on this issue. 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, and let me know if you have any follow up questions.'
Wong also noted that the U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld the Trump administration's decision to strip legal protections from approximately 350,000 Venezuelans.
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Labrador Sierra was taken into custody at the Wood County jail and faces felony forgery charges.
The Department of Homeland Security announced on Wednesday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer for Labrador Sierra.
'Anthony Emmanuel Labrador-Sierra is a 24-year-old illegal alien from Venezuela who has been posing as teenager and attending Perrysburg High School in Ohio,' DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. 'Labrador was arrested and charged with forgery by the Perrysburg Ohio Police Department on May 19 for using fake documents to become enrolled in the high school. ICE lodged a detainer to ensure that this criminal illegal alien is removed from this community and no longer able to prey on the students of Perrysburg High School. It is disturbing that a grown man would impersonate a teenager and infiltrate the lives of underage girls and boys to fool them into doing God knows what.'
Wong believes he will face prosecution in Wood County before any immigration proceedings take place — especially if additional charges emerge.
'Immigration should immediately issue a Notice to Appear,' she said. 'Actually, don't even issue a Notice to Appear — I would just deport him right away. I know it sounds harsh, and I'm a foreign-born immigrant myself. But on the other hand, is deportation punishment enough?'
Wong called the case an extreme violation of trust and kindness.
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