Latest news with #PerrysburgMunicipalCourt
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
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
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.
