Statement on Developments of Anthony Emmanuel Labrador Sierra; Ohio BMV Validated Provided Documents with Federal Databases

PERRYSBURG, Ohio — State Representative Haraz N. Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg) released the following statement regarding developments after the arrest of 24-year-old Venezuelan national Anthony Emmanuel Labrador Sierra by Perrysburg Police.

“I want to begin by expressing my appreciation to the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for placing an immigration detainer on Mr. Labrador Sierra to ensure he remains in law enforcement custody. This is an important and necessary step following the deeply troubling revelation that Mr. Labrador Sierra was posing as a minor to enroll and attend Perrysburg High School for the past roughly 16 months.

In response to this incident, I sent a letter to Andy Wilson, the Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, outlining a series of questions and urging Director Wilson to conduct a full and thorough review, including how Mr. Labrador Sierra was able to obtain Ohio driver's licenses and how internal protocols can be strengthened to prevent future occurrences. A full copy of that letter is attached.

Director Wilson has since responded. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) validated Mr. Labrador Sierra’s documentation against the databases maintained by United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA). At the time of all BMV transactions, these federal databases confirmed the validity of both the data and Mr. Labrador Sierra’s identity.

As Director Wilson notes, "It is important to emphasize that all available evidence indicates that the social security and USCIS documents presented by this individual to the BMV were authentic, federally issued documents, although they may have been obtained from the federal agencies through fraud or deception."

These findings raise deeply concerning questions about systemic vulnerabilities within federal immigration and identification systems. It is becoming increasingly clear that this incident reflects a catastrophic breakdown at the federal level — one stemming from the previous administration’s lackadaisical and negligent approach to immigration enforcement and border security.

The safety and security of our communities depend on the integrity of our systems. I remain committed to working with local, state, and federal officials to ensure accountability and implement reforms that prevent this from ever happening again.”

A full copy of Director Wilson’s response is below.