Man Poses as Teen Student for Over a Year in Small Ohio Town

Anthony Emmanuel Labrador-Sierra, a 24-year-old man, managed to pose as a 16-year-old student in Perrysburg, Ohio, for more than a year, fooling school officials and residents alike. He claimed to be a human trafficking victim from Venezuela and used a fake birth certificate to enroll at the local high school, appearing much younger than his actual age.

He moved in with a couple in their 60s, Kathy and Brad Mefferd, who became his guardians after he was granted permanent guardianship in late 2024. Despite blending into the community, suspicions arose when Labrador-Sierra’s former partner, Evelyn Camacho, learned of his true age after a call from her daughter’s father, who identified him as an adult.

School officials, upon questioning Labrador-Sierra, discovered troubling items in his room, including a burner cell phone, fake identification, a semi-automatic pistol, and loaded magazines. These findings prompted authorities to investigate further. In January 2024, Labrador-Sierra had previously produced a birth certificate claiming he was born in December 2007—though official documents later showed he was born in March 2001.

He admitted to lying on immigration forms and during a firearm purchase application, and he now faces federal charges. Authorities confirmed that Labrador-Sierra entered the United States in 2019 on a tourist visa, with his true age and background concealed during his enrollment process.

Community reactions ranged from shock to concern over how easily he bypassed the system. Some residents questioned the school’s vetting procedures, though a district statement affirmed they followed laws requiring immediate enrollment of unaccompanied minors, including obtaining a birth certificate.

Camacho expressed frustration, noting that her struggles to care for their daughter were starkly contrasted by Labrador-Sierra’s seemingly carefree teenage life. Her words highlight the serious implications of his deception, which has resulted in his transfer to ICE custody and a potential lengthy prison sentence.