Former Des Moines superintendent Ian Roberts has been indicted for falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and illegally possessing firearms after his September arrest by ICE agents.
DES MOINES, Iowa — The former superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, Ian Roberts, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly lying about his U.S. citizenship and unlawfully possessing firearms.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Roberts, a native of Guyana, faces two counts — making a false statement for employment and being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.
The indictment, filed Thursday, alleges that Roberts falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen on an employment eligibility form when applying for the superintendent role at Des Moines Public Schools in 2023. The district serves about 30,000 students.
Roberts was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on September 26 after reportedly fleeing in his district-issued Jeep Cherokee.
Authorities said a handgun wrapped in a towel was later found in the vehicle, while three other weapons — two pistols, a rifle, and a shotgun — were recovered from his home.
Federal officials said an immigration judge had previously issued a removal order against Roberts, and his appeal to reopen the case was denied earlier this year.
The district has since filed a lawsuit against the search firm that helped hire Roberts. His attorney, Alfredo Parrish, has not commented.