In a case that’s rocking the internet and baffling authorities, Anthony Emmanuel Labrador Sierra, a 24-year-old man, allegedly enrolled and attended classes at a high school in Perrysville, Ohio, posing as a teenager to blend in with students nearly a decade younger than him.
According to investigators, the young-looking adult reportedly joined sports teams, participated in swimming and soccer as a high school student. This high school scandal has stunned both students and parents alike. Officials say Labrador successfully deceived staff, teachers, and students before being exposed.
Anthony Emmanuel Labrador Sierra: High school hoax uncovered
24-Year-Old Venezuelan Busted for Pretending to Be 16 at School
— Police Incidents (@PoliceIncident) May 21, 2025
A 24-year-old Venezuelan man, Anthony Emmanuel Labrador Sierra, was arrested in Perrysburg, Ohio, for posing as a 16-year-old high school student. He enrolled at Perrysburg High School using a fake Venezuelan birth… pic.twitter.com/pVCi6MbPyO
According to ABC News, Labrador is accused of enrolling under a false identity and attending school for an undisclosed period. Law enforcement sources confirm that the 24-year-old forged documents and manipulated school systems to gain access to the public school. “He blended in seamlessly,” one parent said, visibly shaken. “No one had any idea he was an adult.”
This bizarre case is raising serious questions about the screening processes in American high schools to verify student identities. Authorities are now scrambling to determine exactly how Labrador pulled off this stunt — and why.
A star athlete among teenagers?
One of the most disturbing revelations in the case is Labrador’s heavy involvement in sports. He wasn’t just sitting in class — he was reportedly on the field, in the pool, and active in multiple team events.
According to teammates and eyewitnesses, Labrador’s athletic performance in soccer and swimming made him stand out. “He was one of the best players on the team,” said one student who requested anonymity. “We just thought he was really into fitness. No one guessed he was 24.”
Photos from the school’s social media accounts show Sierra smiling with other students, wearing school jerseys, and participating in spirit weeks — making the truth all the more unsettling.
Legal fallout, public outrage
Anthony Emmanuel Labrador Sierra, who overstayed his work visa, was arrested by the Perrysburg Police Department on charges of felony forgery. https://t.co/cK53evcGqo
— The Blade (@toledonews) May 21, 2025
Labrador has since been arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including tampering with records, identity fraud, and trespassing. Police say their investigation is ongoing, and more charges could be added as new details emerge.
Authorities now confirm that the 24-year-old is an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela who overstayed his work and was living in his car at the time of the incident.
Labrador reportedly entered the United States from Venezuela in 2022, part of a wave of migrants fleeing political and economic turmoil. According to police statements and local media reports, Labrador was unhoused, unemployed, and surviving on the margins when he allegedly devised a plan to re-enroll in high school.
The high school scandal has gone viral online, with netizens comparing the case to the infamous 2006 incident involving 22-year-old Sidney Gilstrap-Portley, who pretended to be a high school student in Texas to play basketball.
School District Responds
In response to the incident, the school district has launched an internal review to determine how such a glaring breach occurred. Officials are also working closely with law enforcement to tighten enrollment protocols and reassure concerned parents.
“We take the safety and well-being of our students very seriously,” a district spokesperson said. “This is an unprecedented situation, and we are fully cooperating with authorities.”
