Former Iowa school superintendent expected to plead guilty to falsely claiming U.S. citizenship, firearms charges

The former superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district is expected to plead guilty Thursday in federal court to charges that he falsely claimed to be a US citizen and illegally possessed firearms, according to a plea agreement.

Ian Roberts had a two-decade career as an educator and school administrator in districts across the United States before becoming superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, a district of 30,000 children where he was beloved for his charismatic and exuberant leadership style.

Just weeks into the school year, Roberts was arrested on September 26 as part of a targeted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation that stunned community members and attracted national attention.

He was placed on leave a day later following a unanimous vote by the Des Moines school board during a meeting that lasted just three minutes. Roberts resigned on September 30.

School board President Jackie Norris said at the time, “I want to be clear: No one here was aware of any citizenship or immigration issues that Dr. Roberts may have faced. ICE’s charges against Dr. Roberts are very serious, and we take them very seriously. »

Originally from Guyana, South America, Roberts initially pleaded not guilty to both charges, which together carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Roberts is now expected to plead guilty to both counts, according to a plea agreement signed by Roberts and released Wednesday.

The plea agreement also indicates that Roberts is aware he could be deported after serving his sentence.

Roberts was stopped in his school-issued Jeep Cherokee and allegedly fled from federal agents, who found the car abandoned near a wooded area and located Roberts with the help of state troopers. Authorities said they found a loaded handgun wrapped in a towel under the seat and $3,000 in cash in the car.

In October, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment. According to the agreement, Roberts made a “false attestation” on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Eligibility Verification form, known as the I-9, that he submitted in Des Moines, claiming he was a U.S. citizen even though authorities say he knew he did not have authorization. This carries a sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Roberts completed Form I-9 when hired in 2023 and submitted a Social Security card and driver’s license as verification documents, according to the district. He also said he was a U.S. citizen in his application to the National Board of Educational Examiners, which issued Roberts a professional administrator license in 2023.

Federal officials said Roberts first entered the United States in 1994 on a nonimmigrant visa. They said he returned in 1999 on an F-1 student visa, which was set to expire in March 2004. His green card application was denied in 2003, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

His next listed interaction with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services was in 2018, when he finally obtained work authorization. Authorities said his second work authorization application was approved, expiring in December 2020, and he has not had a work authorization since then.

Roberts was subject to a summons before an immigration judge in October 2020 and a final deportation order in 2024, authorities said. District officials said they were unaware of the immigration issues.

Alfredo Parrish, one of Roberts’ attorneys, said his client was given the impression, from a former lawyer, that his immigration case had been “successfully resolved.”

Parrish did not respond to phone and email messages Wednesday regarding the change of plea hearing.

Roberts also faces a federal weapons charge, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The indictment describes two pistols, a rifle and a shotgun found in Roberts’ possession. In addition to the one that was in his vehicle at the time of his arrest, three firearms were found during a search of Roberts’ home, authorities said.

Roberts will agree to give up the weapons, according to the agreement.

CBS Des Moines affiliate KCCI reported at the time of Roberts’ arrest that during a 2023 background check conducted by a private contractor, Roberts informed the school board of a previous firearm charge related to a shotgun, and the district said he provided “sufficient context and explanation” to move forward.

The hearing was scheduled after Roberts’ lawyers said in a court filing that they negotiated with prosecutors to reach a resolution before the Jan. 28 deadline. As part of Roberts’ plea agreement, prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa agreed not to bring additional charges against Roberts or others related to these charges. Prosecutors also agreed to recommend some leniency, but Roberts’ sentence is ultimately up to the judge.

Roberts waived his right to be present at his arraignment in October, when he pleaded not guilty. A trial was to begin in early March.