PERRYSBURG, OH – A man in his 20s was arrested for allegedly masquerading as a high school student in an Ohio community for more than a year. The arrest came after a family tipped off the local school district about the man’s real identity.
The man, identified as 24-year-old Anthony Labrador Sierra, enrolled at Perrysburg High School by posing as a 16-year-old homeless teenager. This deception was discovered after a woman claimed she had a child with Labrador Sierra and presented evidence, including identification documents, to support her claim.
Authorities found that Labrador Sierra had used a forged birth certificate from Venezuela to gain entry to the school. He lived with a local family, took classes, and even participated in junior varsity sports teams, seamlessly blending into the student community.
Detectives confirmed the identity of Labrador Sierra, revealing how he exploited federal guidelines meant for homeless youth to maintain his facade. The investigation, led by Detective Bryan Monroe, exposed the extent of the fraud and the systematic approach taken by Labrador Sierra to deceive those around him.
The school district issued a statement expressing disappointment and emphasizing the community’s goodwill in supporting someone they believed was a vulnerable teenager. They reiterated their adherence to federal enrollment guidelines but acknowledged the need for vigilance in verifying student identities.
Labrador Sierra was arrested on May 19 during a traffic stop, with body camera footage capturing the moment. He faces federal forgery charges and is being held on a $50,000 bond. The investigation remains active, with authorities continuing to uncover details of the case.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by educational institutions in verifying student identities and underscores the importance of safeguarding school environments against fraudulent activities.