http://news.tbo.com/news/MGBCU8GV5EE.html

Illegal Immigrant, 27, Caught Posing As High Schooler
Skip directly to the full story.
By LISA A. DAVIS and RONNIE BLAIR The Tampa Tribune

Published: Sep 28, 2005

TRINITY - Josue Oswaldo Ramirez-Mejia just wanted a good education.

That's the story the 27-year- old told Pasco County Sheriff's deputies Tuesday when he was arrested for posing as a 17-year-old J.W. Mitchell High School student.

An illegal immigrant from Guatemala, Ramirez-Mejia has been attending the school since shortly after the new academic year began in August, sheriff's officials said.

His real age was discovered Tuesday after he lost his wallet during gym class, which was found with his identification cards with his real birth date: Jan. 3, 1978.

Ramirez-Mejia enrolled in the school Aug. 25 with someone posing as a parent at his side, according to school officials. He used forged documents, including a birth certificate stating he was born Jan. 3, 1987, sheriff's officials said.

He also was enrolled in English as a second language classes, school officials said.

Ramirez-Mejia, of 1820 Hacienda Way, Holiday, is being held at the Land O' Lakes jail on a charge of uttering a forged instrument. Bail is set at $5,000.

FBI and immigration services have been notified, the sheriff officials said.