Former Iowa School Supervisor Resigns Amid Criminal Investigation
The ex-supervisor of Iowa’s largest school district has been found to have a troubling criminal history, including drug and weapons charges, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Ian Roberts resigned from the Des Moines Public Schools (DMP) earlier this week following his arrest by immigration enforcement officers.
Authorities reported that Roberts was taken into custody after a short car chase. He faces charges related to being an undocumented individual found with a firearm. “Ian Andre Roberts, an undocumented immigrant with numerous gun charges and drug trafficking offenses, shouldn’t have had access to children,” remarked DHS Deputy Chief Tricia McLaughlin. “At the time of his arrest, he had an illegal handgun, a hunting knife, and nearly $3,000 in cash.”
The Des Moines school board unanimously accepted Roberts’ resignation after it was revealed that he had neither a valid work permit nor a license to be in the country. McLaughlin emphasized that the administration would continue to prioritize the safety of American children.
Roberts’ criminal background is extensive, with charges spanning from drug possession with intent to sell to possessing forged items. He was implicated in a vehicle-related offense in Queens, New York, back in 1998, which was ultimately dismissed in 1999. Later, in 2012, he faced convictions for reckless driving in Maryland.
His recent troubles include charges from 2020 for possessing weapons across multiple degrees. Documentation from February 2020 cites serious weapons charges against him.
Beyond his criminal issues, Roberts has a complex immigration history. He has applied for several visas and green cards, all of which were denied. He initially entered the U.S. in 1996 with a non-immigrant visa but has since had multiple entries and exits from the country, along with a deportation order issued in 2004.
Despite these challenges, the specific details surrounding the response from the Des Moines district regarding their hiring practices remain unclear at this time.
