Latest news with #Labrador-Sierra
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Local charges dropped as feds target Venezuelan accused of posing as teen at Ohio high school
An illegal immigrant from Venezuela who was allegedly caught posing as a high school student in Ohio will no longer face local charges and is now being prosecuted in a federal court. Anthony Labrador-Sierra, 24, was arrested May 21, after he allegedly enrolled in a public high school using fraudulent documents. On Thursday, the Perrysburg Municipal Court confirmed to Fox News Digital all local charges had been dropped against Labrador-Sierra and that his case had been handed over to federal authorities. Labrador-Sierra faced a judge in the case and waived his right to a preliminary hearing, according to WTVG. Venezuelan Man Who Allegedly Posed As Teen Participated In Ohio High School Swimming Events He will now appear before a grand jury that will oversee his case. Read On The Fox News App According to a criminal complaint, Perrysburg Schools reported to the Perrysburg Police Department that they had received information that Labrador-Sierra, a student attending Perrysburg High School, was actually a 24-year-old man who fraudulently enrolled. Venezuelan Man Arrested After Posing As Teen To Enroll In Ohio High School Detectives worked with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and discovered Labrador-Sierra is a 24-year-old from Venezuela. Investigators also learned Labrador-Sierra allegedly used fraudulent documents to enroll in Perrysburg schools and was posing as a 16-year-old student. Tom Hosler, superintendent of Perrysburg Schools, emphasized the district took swift action once learning Labrador-Sierra's real identity. "I want to emphasize this: Immediately upon learning that this student may have concealed his identity and misled us, we acted. We met with the student, and he was then not permitted on any school property while we investigated. Very shortly after, we contacted law enforcement," Hosler wrote in a statement on the school district's website. "Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our students. When we learn of a concerning situation, we act." Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, called the discovery and allegations "shocking." The senator shared a letter he sent to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel on X, writing, "Unreal. Thanks to Joe Biden's abuse of TPS, a 24-year-old illegal alien was caught on a fake asylum claim pretending to be a teenager at a high school in Ohio." Moreno called on Noem and Patel to launch investigations immediately, asking them to take any and all lawful measures to enforce federal immigration and criminal laws against Labrador-Sierra. Hosler added that Labrador-Sierra weaved "a complex tapestry of lies." The U.S. Attorney's Office of the Northern District of Ohio also noted that Labrador-Sierra is alleged to have submitted false information to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services about his date of birth in applications for Temporary Protective Status (TPS) and Employment Authorization Documents in 2024 and 2025. DHS told Fox News it has located Labrador-Sierra's information under a different spelling of his name, adding he is a visa overstay who first came to the U.S. in 2019. Ag Bondi Details Arrest Of Alleged Top Ms-13 Leader Who Reportedly Joined The Vicious Gang In Middle School Perrysburg Police Chief Pat Jones told FOX 8 News Wednesday that what investigators have learned about the case so far appears to be "just the tip of the iceberg." The school district released a statement explaining that it shares "the anger and frustration expressed by many in our community." "This individual is accused of misrepresenting his identity, forging documents, and exploiting systems designed to protect vulnerable youth. While emotions are high, it's important that we remain grounded in facts as this complex situation continues to unfold," the district wrote in an updated statement. The complaint further alleges that Labrador-Sierra does not have lawful status to purchase, own or possess a gun in the United States. The agency noted he submitted false information on an Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) form to buy a gun. He is being held in the Lucas County Jail. If convicted, Labrador-Sierra would face up to 15 years in prison for possession of a gun by an alien, 10 years in prison for making a false statement during the purchase of a gun and up to five years in prison for using false documents, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. "We recognize that more information may still come to light, and we remain committed to learning everything we can as this situation continues to unfold. We will share additional information as we are able," the school district wrote. The agency added that the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-225-5324. Fox News' Bill Melugin and Greg Wehner contributed to this report. Original article source: Local charges dropped as feds target Venezuelan accused of posing as teen at Ohio high school
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man accused of posing as teen student in Perrysburg charged with lying to buy firearm
[Watch previous FOX 8 News coverage in the player above.] TOLEDO, Ohio (WJW) — Anthony E. Labrador-Sierra, a 24-year-old Venezuelan national accused of residing in the United States illegally for years and posing as a teenager to enroll at an Ohio high school, is now charged with lying on a federal form used to purchase a firearm. Labrador-Sierra claimed he was a U.S. citizen when applying to buy a 9-millimeter firearm from a licensed arms dealer, according to a Friday news release from Carol Skutnik, acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. He's accused of giving false information to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms on a required ATF form. Could this be Noah's Ark? See mysterious site in Turkey He is now charged by criminal complaint with possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully in the United States, making false statements during the purchase of a firearm and using false documents, according to the release. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the firearm charge; 10 years on the false statements charge; and five years on the false documents charge, according to the release. Perrysburg police and the Wood County Prosecutor's Office continue to investigate the case. Also involved are the U.S. Border Patrol, the FBI Toledo field office and the ATF. Anyone with information on the investigation is urged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip on the FBI's website. Tipsters can remain anonymous. Fentanyl suspect rams Akron police cruisers in attempt to escape arrest Labrador-Sierra is also charged in Wood County with a felony count of forgery, accused of using a falsified birth certificate to enroll as a student at Perrysburg High School for more than a year, claiming to be a homeless 16-year-old. Perrysburg Police Chief Pat Jones told FOX 8 News on Wednesday that what they've learned about the case so far appears to be 'just the tip of the iceberg.' Labrador-Sierra has been in the United States illegally since March 24, 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The department announced Wednesday that U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, has ordered him to be detained. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
21-05-2025
- The Hill
Adult accused of enrolling as teen at Ohio high school
PERRYSBURG, Ohio (WJW) — A Wood County, Ohio, school district is investigating after a 24-year-old was accused of enrolling in high school, allegedly posing as a teenage boy for more than a year and a half. The suspect, identified in Perrysburg Municipal Court records as 24-year-old Anthony E. Labrador-Sierra, even played on the school's JV soccer and swim teams, according to the school district. Perrysburg police arrested Labrador-Sierra on Monday on felony charges of forgery, accusing him of using fake documents to enroll at and attend Perrysburg High School between January 11, 2024, and May 14 of this year, according to a statement on the school district's website. Labrador-Sierra is accused of enrolling in the district as a 16-year-old unaccompanied minor, under federal and state rules for students experiencing homelessness or who do not have a legal guardian, according to the school district. He had obtained several pieces of identification that 'further complicated the situation,' including an Ohio driver's license and a federal Social Security number. He also had been issued Temporary Protected Status by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, according to the district. The Wood County Juvenile Court had placed him in guardianship with a Perrysburg family. That family learned May 14 that he was not a minor, but a 24-year-old man, according to the district. District administrators met with Labrador-Sierra the following day, May 15, and he claimed the birth certificate he used to enroll was accurate and that he was 17 years old. He was barred from school grounds while the investigation continued. School officials reviewed social media posts, including posts from people claiming to be Labrador-Sierra's family members. They then contacted Perrysburg police, who began their investigation, leading to Labrador-Sierra's arrest on Monday. School officials said the alleged fraud slipped past several federal, state and local agencies, and that the school district had acted in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which regulates education for students experiencing homelessness. 'While the deception was complex and far-reaching, Perrysburg Schools acted swiftly and appropriately once concerns were raised,' reads the district's statement. '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.' Labrador-Sierra was jailed on a $50,000 bond, court records show. If released, he won't be able to leave Wood County. He's due back in court for a preliminary hearing on May 29. A judge also issued a no-contact order. The suspect's athletic involvement was reported to the Ohio High School Athletics Association, according to the district. Nexstar's WJW reached out to Perrysburg police for more information on the investigation, but did not receive a response before publication.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
WATCH: Police arrest 24-year-old accused of posing as Ohio high school student
PERRYSBURG, Ohio (WJW) — A 24-year-old man was arrested after authorities said he pretended to be a high school student for over a year in Perrysburg. He even played on two sports teams. Anthony Labrador-Sierra, 24, is facing felony charges of forgery. Man charged after Pirates fan fell from stands He attended Perrysburg High School for a year and a half. Police said a few years ago, he told the school he was a homeless 16-year-old. He claimed he was a victim of human trafficking and wanted to become a student there. Police said his work visa expired in 2023, and that's the same year he reached out to Perrysburg Schools to enroll. Labrador-Sierra allegedly enrolled in the district as a 16-year-old unaccompanied minor, under federal and state rules for students experiencing homelessness or who do not have a legal guardian, according to the school district. Local dog survives brutal stabbing; owner charged He had obtained several pieces of identification that 'further complicated the situation,' including an Ohio driver's license and a federal Social Security number. The school said Labrador-Sierra, who is from Venezuela, was also issued temporary protected status by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The Wood County Juvenile Court had placed him in guardianship with a Perrysburg family. He went to Perrysburg High School from January 2024 until last week. Police said that's when a woman contacted the family he was staying with to let them know he wasn't a teenager and that he was an adult and the father of her child. The school district said that after they were alerted, they started an investigation and found social media posts from many claiming to be Labrador's real family. He was arrested on Monday. You can watch the arrest in the video below: In a statement, the Perrysburg schools said: '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.' School officials said the alleged fraud slipped past several federal, state and local agencies, and that the school district had acted in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which regulates education for students experiencing homelessness. Labrador had been a member of the JV soccer and swim teams at the high school. This was reported to the Ohio High School Athletics Association. He is being held on a $50,000 bond. If released he will not be able to leave Wood County. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Adult allegedly enrolled as teen at Ohio high school
[Learn more about the Safer Ohio School Tip Line in the player above.] PERRYSBURG, Ohio (WJW) — A Wood County school district is investigating how a 24-year-old suspect was able to enroll in its high school, allegedly posing as a teenage boy for more than a year-and-a-half. The suspect, identified in Perrysburg Municipal Court records as 24-year-old Anthony E. Labrador-Sierra, even played on the school's JV soccer and swim teams, according to the school district. 'Saw a little purple jacket': Teen rescued child from river after deadly Fremont train accident Perrysburg police arrested Labrador-Sierra on Monday, May 19, on felony charges of forgery, accusing him of using fake documents to enroll at and attend Perrysburg High School between January 11, 2024, and May 14, 2025, according to a statement on the school district's website. Labrador-Sierra allegedly enrolled in the district as a 16-year-old unaccompanied minor, under federal and state rules for students experiencing homelessness or who do not have a legal guardian, according to the school district. He had obtained several pieces of identification that 'further complicated the situation,' including an Ohio driver's license and a federal Social Security number. He also had been issued Temporary Protected Status by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, according to the district. The Wood County Juvenile Court had placed him in guardianship with a Perrysburg family. That family learned May 14 that he was not a minor, but actually a 24-year-old man, according to the district. District administrators met with Labrador-Sierra the following day, May 15, and he claimed the birth certificate he used to enroll was accurate, and that he was 17 years old. He was barred from school grounds while the investigation continued. School officials reviewed social media posts, including posts from people claiming to be Labrador-Sierra's family members. They then contacted Perrysburg police, who began their own investigation, leading to Labrador-Sierra's arrest on Monday, May 19. School officials said the alleged fraud slipped past several federal, state and local agencies, and that the school district had acted in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which regulates education for students experiencing homelessness. 'While the deception was complex and far-reaching, Perrysburg Schools acted swiftly and appropriately once concerns were raised,' reads the district's statement. '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.' Keeping Browns downtown not Cleveland mayor's top priority, I-Team learns Labrador-Sierra is now jailed on a $50,000 bond, court records show. If released, he won't be able to leave Wood County. He's due back in court for a preliminary hearing on May 29. A judge also issued a no-contact order. The suspect's athletic involvement was reported to the Ohio High School Athletics Association, according to the district. FOX 8 News reached out to Perrysburg police for more information on the investigation, but did not receive a response prior to publication. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
