A 24-year-old man from Venezuela, Anthony Emmanuel Labrador Sierra, was arrested for pretending to be a 16-year-old student at an Ohio high school. According to the City of Perrysburg Police, Labrador enrolled in Perrysburg Schools in January 2024 using a false birth certificate from Venezuela, claiming he was born on December 2, 2007. He told the school he was homeless and a victim of human trafficking.

Labrador's deception began when he contacted the school in November 2023. He started attending classes on January 19, 2024, and joined the junior varsity soccer and swim teams. Kathy and Brad Melfred, who had previously housed exchange students, took Labrador in on March 21, 2024, after being contacted by the school. The Melfreds were granted permanent guardianship and helped him obtain a social security number and an Ohio driver's license.

The situation unraveled on May 14 when Evelyn Camacho contacted the Melfreds, revealing that Labrador was actually 24 years old and the father of her child. She provided evidence, including a picture of Labrador's driver's license showing his true birthdate of March 27, 2001, and Facebook photos of Labrador with her and a child.

The police, with assistance from the United States Border Patrol, confirmed Labrador's actual birthdate and discovered his work visa had expired, making him an overstay in the United States. Labrador was arrested on forgery charges on Monday (May 19) while riding in a vehicle on Interstate 75. He is currently in custody at the Wood County Jail, with a court date scheduled for May 29. The Ohio High School Athletic Association has been notified of the incident. It is not clear if Labrador has legal representation.

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