Former Des Moines School Superintendent Set to Enter Guilty Plea in Federal Court
The former superintendent of Iowa's largest school district is anticipated to enter a guilty plea on Thursday in federal court, according to a recently released plea agreement. Ian Roberts faces charges of falsely asserting U.S. citizenship and unlawfully possessing firearms, offenses that collectively carry a maximum penalty of twenty years imprisonment.
A Stunning Arrest and National Attention
Roberts' arrest on September 26th, executed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, sent shockwaves through the Des Moines community and garnered significant national media coverage. The arrest occurred mere weeks into the new academic year, abruptly halting his tenure leading a district of approximately 30,000 students.
Roberts, a native of Guyana in South America, had cultivated a two-decade career as an educator and administrator across various American school districts. His appointment as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools was met with enthusiasm, with many praising his charismatic and energetic leadership approach.
Details of the Charges and Legal Proceedings
The federal indictment, returned by a grand jury in October, outlines two primary charges. The first involves a false attestation of U.S. citizenship. According to the plea agreement, Roberts knowingly submitted a false I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form upon his hiring in 2023, claiming citizenship despite allegedly being aware he lacked proper authorization. This charge alone is punishable by up to five years in prison and a substantial fine.
District records indicate Roberts submitted a Social Security card and driver's license as supporting documents. He also affirmed his U.S. citizenship in his application to the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, which subsequently granted him a professional administrator license in 2023.
Complex Immigration History and Firearms Possession
Federal authorities detail a complex immigration timeline for Roberts. He initially entered the United States in 1994 on a nonimmigrant visa, returning in 1999 on an F-1 student visa set to expire in March 2004. A green card application was denied in 2003. While he obtained work authorization in 2018, it expired in December 2020, and authorities state he has not held valid authorization since. He was subject to a notice to appear before an immigration judge in 2020 and a final removal order in 2024.
Alfredo Parrish, one of Roberts' attorneys, has previously stated his client believed, based on advice from a prior lawyer, that his immigration case had been successfully resolved. Parrish did not respond to inquiries regarding the upcoming change-of-plea hearing.
The second charge is a federal weapons violation, carrying a potential fifteen-year sentence. During his arrest, Roberts was allegedly pulled over in his district-issued vehicle and fled from agents. The abandoned Jeep Cherokee was found near a wooded area, and a loaded handgun wrapped in a towel was discovered under the seat alongside $3,000 in cash. A subsequent search of his home yielded three additional firearms: two pistols, a rifle, and a shotgun. The plea agreement stipulates Roberts will forfeit all weapons.
Plea Agreement and Potential Consequences
The hearing was scheduled following negotiations between Roberts' legal team and federal prosecutors, aiming for a resolution before a January 28th deadline. While prosecutors have agreed to recommend some leniency, the final sentence rests with the presiding judge.
Notably, the plea agreement explicitly states Roberts is aware he could face deportation after serving any imposed prison sentence. He had previously waived his right to be present at his October arraignment, where he entered a not guilty plea. A trial had been scheduled for early March but is now superseded by this expected guilty plea.
Des Moines Public Schools officials have stated they were unaware of Roberts' immigration issues prior to his arrest, highlighting the sudden and profound impact of this case on the district's leadership and community.
