Venezuelan Illegal Who Pretended to Be High Schooler Pleads Guilty. Case Puts Spotlight on Operation Take Back America

The Venezuelan national who posed as an Ohio high school student for over a year pleaded guilty to four criminal counts Monday. The case highlights the role of a Department of Justice initiative, Operation Taking Back America, in helping fulfill the Trump administration promise to tackle illegal immigration.

Anthony Emmanuel Labrador-Sierra, From Fake Student to Felon

The case involving 24-year-old Anthony Emmanuel Labrador-Sierra thrust the Northern District of Ohio into the national news cycle. Labrador-Sierra first came to the attention of law enforcement in May when he was discovered posing as a 15-year-old at Perrysburg High School. He was arrested a month later.

On Monday, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Northern Ohio, Labrador-Sierra pleaded guilty to “possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully in the United States, making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm, and two counts of making or using false writings or documents.”

The indictment also indicated the defendant submitted a “false date of birth to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on federal applications for Temporary Protective Status and Employment Authorization Documents in 2024 and 2025.”

Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, spoke out about his concerns with Labrador-Sierra in May. He sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, receiving a response in July.

Labrador-Sierra reportedly participated in sports programs at the high school. “Though he attended Perrysburg High School for more than a year and participated in the school’s swim and soccer teams, the school and police began investigating Labrador-Sierra when a woman stated she has a 2-year-old child with Labrador-Sierra and provided a photo of an Ohio driver’s license listing the 2001 birthdate,” WTOL 11 reported in July. That report also mentioned Labrador-Sierra pleaded not guilty at the time.

A more recent report mentioned other claims:

WTOL 11 has previously reported that Labrador-Sierra came under investigation after a May 19 Perrysburg Police report documented his claim of a potential human trafficking situation. According to the report, Labrador-Sierra alleged that students were being trafficked in the Perrysburg Schools system. Perrysburg Schools officials have denied that they received or were made aware of such claims. WTOL 11 has consistently attributed those trafficking allegations to the police report.

Labrador-Sierra was later arrested on unrelated charges, including sexual offenses involving a juvenile. Prosecutors pursued multiple counts against him in Lucas County and Wood County courts before the federal indictment moved forward.

The Perrysburg school district released statements in May and also provided The Daily Signal with a statement from Dr. Kadee Anstadt, the Superintendent of Perrysburg Schools.

“Perrysburg Schools is encouraged to see this case continuing to move forward through the courts. We will continue to cooperate with authorities and remain focused on the safety and well being of our students and staff members. Because legal proceedings are ongoing, we will have no further comment at this time,” said Anstadt.

Labrador-Sierra faces up to 30 years in prison, with sentencing set for Jan. 23 of next year. “As part of the court’s order, Labrador-Sierra is prohibited from any direct or indirect contact with victims or witnesses, including any student of Perrysburg High School. He remains in detention until sentencing,” WTOL 11 mentioned.

Operation Take Back America

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office press release, “This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.”

Jessica Salas Novak, public affairs specialist with the U.S. Attorney’s office explained to The Daily Signal that the initiative “streamlines efforts and resources from across the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.“

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche released a memorandum on March 6 further outlining the initiative. The “core policy objectives” include “Repelling The Invasion Of Illegal Immigration,” “Achieving Total Elimination Of Cartels And Transnational Criminal Organizations,” “Establishing Homeland Security Task Forces,” “Charging The Most Serious. Readily Provable Offense,” and “Restoring The Death Penalty.”

“Since January 20, 2025, the Justice Department has taken numerous steps to empower prosecutors and law enforcement operating in Districts around the country to protect their communities from the ongoing threats and risks that the American people elected President Trump to address,” the memo stated.

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