24-Year-Old Venezuelan Man Fakes Identity to Enroll in Ohio High School: Shocking Tale of Deception Uncovered

A 24-year-old man, Anthony Emmanuel Labrador Sierra, was arrested for allegedly forging documents to enroll in an Ohio high school. He studied there for over a year before his identity was discovered. According to police reports, Sierra presented a Venezuelan birth certificate claiming he was only 16 years old, saying he was a homeless migrant trafficked into the U.S.

Sierra enrolled at Perrysburg High School in January 2024, where he was eventually placed with a local family that had previously hosted exchange students. This family became his guardians. They helped him get a Social Security number and a driver’s license.

He also used forged papers to obtain Temporary Protective Status (TPS) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. TPS allows certain migrants to stay in the U.S. and work legally, providing a safety net for those in vulnerable situations.

The case began to unravel on May 14, when a woman reached out to the guardians. She claimed Sierra was actually a 24-year-old man and provided proof, including photos of a driver’s license and social media posts showing him with a child. The guardians reported the suspicions to the school later that day.

Upon meeting with school officials, Sierra denied the allegations, insisting that his birth certificate was valid. The school took immediate action by asking the guardians to keep him off campus while they investigated.

During their inquiry, officials found social media claims from individuals who identified themselves as Sierra’s family, including posts suggesting he was indeed the child of a woman named Zulay Sierra. Posts showed him wearing a soccer uniform, with a birthday caption that matched the birth date on his documents.

Further investigation revealed that Sierra had overstayed his visa, which expired in 2023. He was arrested during a traffic stop, riding with the woman who initially exposed him.

After being arraigned, Sierra pleaded not guilty to a forgery charge, a fifth-degree felony. His bond was set at $50,000, and he faces possible federal charges as well. U.S. Border Patrol has placed an immigration detainer on him, seeking to address his illegal status in the country.

Tricia McLaughlin, from the Department of Homeland Security, described Sierra’s actions as “disturbing,” pointing to the serious implications of his identity fraud. The school district deemed the situation “highly unusual” but expressed confidence that proper procedures were followed to support him when he posed as a minor.

This case raises questions about how identity fraud can affect educational institutions and emphasizes the importance of verifying eligibility for enrollment. Schools must be vigilant in checking records, especially as issues related to immigration and student status become more complex.

For more information on TPS, check the USCIS website.

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