Ohio State Police report that a 24-year-old Venezuelan immigrant has been arrested for posing as a 16-year-old to enroll in high school and live with a couple that accepted exchange students.
In November 2023, Perrysburg Police allowed Anthony Emmanuel Labrador Sierra to start attending a local high school. His scheme started to unravel when a woman reached out to the Melfreds, the couple housing him, claiming that Labrador was not a teenager but actually 24 years old and the father of her child.
He had presented a Venezuelan birth certificate to the school, suggesting he was a victim of human trafficking and providing a date of birth from 2007. According to police, he officially began school in January 2024.
In March, Kathy and Brad Melfred took him in, as they were accustomed to hosting exchange students and had experience as foster parents. They even helped him secure his Social Security number and an Ohio driver’s license after becoming his permanent guardians.
Things took another turn when the woman contacted the Melfreds, showing a different birth certificate that revealed Labrador’s true age. She also shared a Facebook photo of him with their child.
After police consulted with the US Border Patrol, they confirmed that Labrador indeed had a legitimate date of birth and an expired work visa dating back to 2001, categorizing him as a visa overstay.
Labrador was arrested on Monday, facing felony counterfeiting charges.
Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Moreno criticized the temporary protection status under former President Biden, suggesting it may have contributed to this serious situation. He mentioned that there was reason to believe Labrador might have had inappropriate relationships with minors.
“This is unbelievable. Thanks to Joe Biden’s TPS policies, a 24-year-old foreign individual has managed to create a false identity and infiltrate a high school in Ohio,” Moreno expressed on social media.
He is now requesting a thorough investigation into the matter to ensure the safety of children.
In a letter addressed to FBI Director Kash Patel, Moreno called for an inquiry to determine if there were any sexual misconduct allegations made against immigrants.
Online records indicate that Labrador was set with a $50,000 bond.
Interestingly, he participated in junior varsity soccer and swimming at the high school, leading the district to inform the Ohio High School Athletic Association about the situation.
