Latest news with #McKinney-VentoHomelessAssistanceAct
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
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. Former New York state trooper pleads guilty to faking his own shooting 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. 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.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Venezuelan man, 24, posed as a teen and attended Ohio high school for more than year, officials say
A 24-year-old Venezuelan man is accused of posing as an unaccompanied minor to attend an Ohio high school in a case school officials described as 'highly unusual and deceptive.' Anthony Emmanuel Labrador Sierra, who attended Perrysburg High School for more than a year beginning as an apparent 16-year-old last January, was arrested during a traffic stop on felony forgery charges, school and police officials said Tuesday. Labrador, who had been a member of the school's JV soccer and swim teams, used fraudulent documents during the enrollment process, the Perrysburg Police Department said in a statement. The district described the allegations as "heartbreaking" and said that staff and local families had sought to support 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 was scheduled to appear in a Wood County courtroom Tuesday. It wasn't immediately clear if he has a lawyer to speak on his behalf. In a statement, Perrysburg Schools said that Labrador portrayed himself as an unaccompanied minor when he sought to attend the district and was enrolled in accordance with federal and state requirements for students without a legal guardian or experiencing homelessness. At the time, he provided documentation showing immigration authorities had given him temporary protected status and a juvenile court granted guardianship to a family in Perrsyburg, the school district said. Labrador also had an Ohio driver's license and Social Security card, according to the statement. The district alleged that those documents were falsified. After his guardians contacted the school last week saying they'd obtained information that he was a 24-year-old adult, administrators met with Labrador, who denied the allegation and said that the birth certificate he provided during enrollment was accurate, according to the district. Labrador was ordered to stay away from school grounds while officials investigated the allegations and reached out to local police, according to the statement. The school's investigation uncovered social media posts from people claiming to be Labrador's real family, the district said. "This case involves highly unusual and deceptive circumstances that impacted many local, state and federal agencies," the district said. "The school district has reviewed its actions regarding enrollment and is confident proper legal channels were followed to provide support for an individual presenting themselves as an unaccompanied minor as spelled out in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act." That law, passed in 1987, requires states to ensure that homeless youth have access to the same public education as other article was originally published on
