Representative Ghanbari Releases Statement Regarding the Arrest of Anthony Emmanuel Labrador Sierra

State Representative Haraz N. Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg) released the following statement regarding Anthony Emmanuel Labrador Sierra's arrest.

“Tuesday afternoon, I was informed of the arrest of 24-year-old Anthony Emmanuel Labrador Sierra, who is currently being held at the Wood County Jail on serious felony forgery charges.

“Mr. Labrador Sierra has been enrolled at Perrysburg High School since January 2024 under what now appear to be deliberately fraudulent circumstances. He allegedly misrepresented himself as a 16-year-old minor, effectively infiltrating our school system and community. According to reports from Perrysburg Schools, he obtained an Ohio driver’s license and Social Security number, was granted federal Temporary Protected Status (TPS) by U.S. immigration authorities, submitted a completed visa application with assistance from Advocating Opportunities, and was even assigned legal guardianship through the Wood County Juvenile Court.

“If these allegations are verified, they reveal a deeply troubling breakdown in safeguards—locally, statewide, and federally. The ability of an adult to embed himself in a public high school, under false pretenses and with apparent access to official documentation and legal support, demands immediate and thorough scrutiny.

“Let me be unequivocally clear: the safety and well-being of our students and the wider community is our top priority. I commend those who identified and reported this situation to school officials, and I applaud the swift, decisive actions taken by law enforcement to protect our students.

“The Perrysburg School District should continue to cooperate fully with all relevant authorities and support the ongoing investigation in every way possible. Additionally, this requires a careful review of their internal protocols to take every necessary step to ensure our schools remain safe, secure, and worthy of the trust our families place in them.

“Furthermore, I am calling upon federal immigration and law enforcement agencies to conduct a full and transparent investigation into how Mr. Labrador Sierra was able to enter the United States, acquire federal and state documentation, and gain access to public education under false pretenses. This case highlights a critical need for enhanced collaboration between local and federal law agencies to prevent similar incidents in the future and to ensure the integrity of our borders and our institutions.”