The man who once led Iowa’s largest school district is now facing prison and deportation — after lying about his citizenship status and illegally possessing multiple firearms.
Ian Roberts, the former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools and a native of Guyana, is set to plead guilty Thursday to two serious federal charges, according to a plea agreement signed Wednesday. Roberts was arrested by ICE agents on September 26, 2025, triggering his resignation and raising serious questions about how someone with his background was hired to lead a major school district.
According to federal prosecutors, Roberts made a false statement on his employment verification paperwork, fraudulently claiming U.S. citizenship. He also unlawfully possessed firearms while being in the country illegally — both felonies that could land him behind bars for up to 20 years. He now admits to both crimes and could be deported after serving his sentence.
BREAKING: A senior ICE official tells @FoxNews that today, ICE arrested the Superintendent of Des Moines, Iowa Public Schools, Dr. Ian Andre Roberts, who ICE says is an illegal alien from Guyana & and active ICE fugitive with a deportation order since May 2024. Fox is told Dr.… pic.twitter.com/623WGDpqZb
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) September 26, 2025
Department of Homeland Security officials were blunt. “Ian Andre Roberts, a criminal illegal alien with multiple weapons charges and a drug trafficking charge, should have never been able to work around children,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “When ICE officers arrested this superintendent, he was in possession of an illegal handgun, a hunting knife, and nearly $3,000 in cash.”
That’s not all. During the arrest, federal agents found not just one firearm — but a stash: two pistols, a rifle, and a shotgun. One was in his vehicle, the others at his residence.
In 2023, Roberts was hired to lead Des Moines Public Schools. He submitted a Social Security card and driver’s license, claimed to be a U.S. citizen, and received a professional administrator’s license from the state. But behind the scenes, Roberts was already under a final removal order issued in 2024 — after a prior notice to appear in front of an immigration judge back in 2020.
Migrant Iowa superintendent to change not guilty plea after being charged with claiming US citizenship https://t.co/1pODudTazM pic.twitter.com/yYicezI0EG
— New York Post (@nypost) January 21, 2026
His defense attorney claims Roberts thought his immigration status was “resolved successfully.” That didn’t stop him from filing false documents, buying guns, or misleading state agencies.
Now, the man once trusted with overseeing thousands of Iowa students is headed to federal prison and facing likely deportation. His weapons will be forfeited under the plea deal.
The fallout is still growing — and questions remain about how this slipped through the cracks.
