In a bizarre twist of identity, a 24-year-old Venezuelan man has been apprehended after allegedly posing as a 16-year-old high school student in Perrysburg, Ohio.
According to Local12, Anthony Labrador was arrested on felony forgery charges after his ruse came to light. Reports state that Labrador moved in with a local family, who had taken in exchange students before, and assumed the guise of a teenager needing guardianship. The family, who eventually gained legal guardianship, had been led to believe he was a minor until they were contacted by a woman on May 14 claiming Labrador was an adult, and a father at that.
Perrysburg Schools, upon learning of Labrador’s true age, conveyed to parents that all proper legal channels were followed during the enrollment process per the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. They credited the Perrysburg Police Division for their swift response to the situation, as stated in a letter quoted by FOX19. The school district's superintendent, Tom Hosler, emphasized, "This case involves highly unusual and deceptive circumstances that impacted many local, state and federal agencies.”
Labrador's fabrication was intricate, as he claimed to have been trafficked from Venezuela and presented a Venezuelan birth certificate, an Ohio driver's license, a social security number, and Temporary Protective Status documentation, the latter being challenged after a Border Patrol investigation revealed an expired work visa. ACTION NEWS reported that Labrador, who even participated in junior varsity soccer and swim teams, will have a subsequent court appearance set for May 29.
Since his arrest by Perrysburg Township police on I-75 on May 19, Labrador has been held on a $50,000 bond. A judge has issued restrictions including a no-contact order for both the school and the host family, and in the event of him posting bond, he must wear an ankle monitor and is barred from coming within two miles of the school or the residence. Furthermore, ICE has requested notification upon any potential release for subsequent immigration procedures.
