Former Superintendent to Plead Guilty to False Citizenship Claims
The ex-superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools is set to enter a guilty plea in federal court on Thursday for allegedly pretending to be a U.S. citizen after his arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in September 2025.
Ian Roberts, originally from Guyana, reported that he was apprehended by immigration agents during a targeted enforcement operation on September 26, 2025. He reportedly tried to evade federal agents when they stopped him in his school-issued vehicle.
Roberts was found with assistance from state police, and later, his vehicle—which contained a loaded handgun and $3,000 cash—was discovered in a wooded area. Investigators also uncovered three additional firearms during a search of his residence.
Charges against Roberts include one count of providing a false statement regarding employment and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm while being in the country illegally. Initially, he pleaded not guilty to both charges in October, which could lead to a maximum sentence of 20 years. Allegations suggest he made false certifications by declaring himself a U.S. citizen on his I-9 employment eligibility form.
When Roberts was hired by the Iowa school district in 2023, he completed an I-9 form, presenting his Social Security card and driver’s license as supporting documentation. Additionally, he allegedly claimed U.S. citizenship while applying for a professional administrator license with the State Board of Education Examiners that same year.
Roberts was awaiting a hearing with an immigration judge in October 2020, just before his work permit was set to expire, and reports indicated that a final removal was planned for 2024.
Under the plea agreement, the government has agreed not to pursue further actions against Roberts or others related to the firearms found in his possession or the false statements he made while applying for his job in the Iowa school district.
Alongside the possibility of 20 years in prison, Roberts may face two fines of $250,000 for each charge and could be subject to up to three years of supervised release.
Cooper Smith, the director of homeland security and immigration at the America First Policy Institute, commented on Roberts’ arrest, emphasizing that “bad actors” need to cease exploiting the American system.
“Illegal immigrants have managed to falsely claim U.S. citizenship, occupy significant positions within public schools, and illegally carry firearms. Once again, fraud is being perpetrated against Americans. This situation must change,” Smith remarked in an email.
