Ohio High School Busted Fake 24-Year-Old — Parents Outraged
In the quiet town of Perrysburg, Ohio, a story unfolded that felt more like a plot twist from a suspense thriller than real life. For over a year, Anthony Emmanuel Labrador-Sierra lived a double life, allegedly posing as a 16-year-old high school student while actually being a 24-year-old Venezuelan national. His carefully constructed facade unraveled not through a police sting or a school investigation, but because of a single phone call from his ex-fiancée, a call that exposed a web of deception involving forged documents, false claims of human trafficking, and a hidden arsenal.
A Small Town's Big Shock
Perrysburg is a town of about 25,000 people, where neighbors know each other and the local high school is a hub of community life. So, when Anthony Labrador-Sierra first contacted Perrysburg Schools on November 1, 2023, claiming to be a homeless immigrant and a victim of human trafficking, the community welcomed him with open arms. He officially enrolled in January 2024, allegedly presenting a forged birth certificate that shaved six years off his real age, claiming to be born in 2007 instead of 2001.
To his classmates, teachers, and even the guardians who took him in, he was just another teenager trying to find his place. He played on the junior varsity soccer and swim teams, earned the nickname "Big Tone," and even allegedly dated teenage girls, all while keeping his true age a secret, as reported by The Independent. His charisma and maturity set him apart, but no one suspected the truth — that he was actually eight years older than he claimed.
The Call That Changed Everything
The unraveling began with a phone call in May 2025. Evelyn Camacho, the 22-year-old mother of Labrador-Sierra's daughter, called the home where he was living with a couple in their 60s who had become his legal guardians. This couple, Kathy and Brad Mefferd, had taken him in believing he was a vulnerable teenager in need of support.
Camacho's call sparked suspicion. The Mefferds contacted the school, which then alerted the police. A search of Labrador-Sierra's room reportedly revealed a burner cellphone, a fake ID, and a semiautomatic pistol with three loaded magazines — a startling discovery that raised serious questions about his true identity and intentions.
The Web of Lies
Labrador-Sierra's deception was elaborate. He had enrolled at Perrysburg High School using a forged birth certificate that showed a birthdate of December 2, 2007. He allegedly told school officials he was a victim of human trafficking, a claim that was never reported to the school during enrollment but was later made to his attorney during immigration proceedings.
The school district, following federal law, enrolled him immediately as an unaccompanied minor without requiring standard paperwork, though they did obtain a birth certificate. The system, designed to protect vulnerable youth, was exploited by Labrador-Sierra's falsehoods.
Further complicating the case, Labrador-Sierra had reportedly applied for Temporary Protected Status and employment authorization documents multiple times, initially using his real birthdate but later submitting applications with the falsified younger date. His immigration status was tangled in a series of falsehoods that allowed him to remain in the U.S. beyond the expiration of his tourist visa.
A Firearm and a Fake ID: The Hidden Dangers
The alleged discovery of a Taurus 9mm semiautomatic pistol in his bedroom, along with a fraudulent Michigan driver's license and a burner phone, added a dangerous dimension to the deception. Labrador-Sierra had reportedly purchased the firearm illegally in 2022 using a fake Ohio driver's license and false statements about his citizenship and immigration status.
His legal guardians, unaware of the full extent of his deceit, had reportedly destroyed one of the fake IDs but later handed over the weapon and ammunition to the police. The presence of a loaded firearm in the home of a supposed minor student shocked the community and raised concerns about safety and oversight.
Why Would Someone Do This?
The question that lingers is why Labrador-Sierra would go to such lengths to pose as a teenager. His ex-fiancée described him as "impulsive," as reported by the New York Post, and the motives remain unclear. Some speculate he sought the protections and opportunities afforded to minors, while others worry about the implications of an adult man mingling with teenagers under false pretenses.
Parents in Perrysburg expressed outrage and betrayal, especially those whose daughters allegedly dated Labrador-Sierra, believing him to be a peer. It's important to note that these claims come from parents and community members and are not confirmed by police or federal reports. The age of consent in Ohio is 16, which adds complexity to the concerns raised. The school district faced criticism for what many saw as a failure to properly vet a student who clearly did not fit the typical profile of a high schooler.
Systemic Failures and Lessons Learned
This case highlights a broader issue in school enrollment and immigration systems. Schools are required to enroll unaccompanied minors promptly, often without the usual documentation, to protect vulnerable children. However, this well-intentioned policy can be exploited, as seen in Labrador-Sierra's case.
Ohio state representative Haraz N. Ghanbari pointed out that Customs and Border Protection should have been involved to verify Labrador-Sierra's claims, which could have prevented the deception, as reported by the New York Post. The school superintendent acknowledged the need to refine enrollment processes to better flag complex cases and support staff in handling high-risk situations.
The Aftermath
Labrador-Sierra now faces multiple federal charges, including possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully in the U.S., making false statements during the purchase of a firearm, and using false documents to represent himself as a U.S. citizen. He remains in custody, with bond reportedly set at $50,000, wearing an ankle monitor, and restricted from being near the high school and his former guardians' home.
The community of Perrysburg is left grappling with the shock and betrayal of having been deceived for so long. The Mefferds, who had opened their home and hearts, are devastated by the betrayal. Parents demand accountability and changes to prevent such incidents from happening again.
References: How illegal migrant Anthony Labrador, 24, was caught posing as a high school student | An adult dad posed as a high schooler for months - and even dated teen classmates. Here's how his lie unraveled | Federal charges added for Venezuelan migrant posed as Perrysburg high schooler
