Former Iowa school superintendent arrested by ICE expected to plead guilty to federal charges

The erstwhile superintendent of Iowa's largest schoolhouse territory is acceptable to plead blameworthy Thursday to a brace of national charges pursuing his apprehension by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last year. 

Ian Roberts, a autochthonal of Guyana successful South America and erstwhile the person of Des Moines Public Schools, was detained by national migration officers connected Sept. 26, 2025. He resigned from his presumption soon afterward. 

In October, Roberts initially pleaded not blameworthy to 1 number of making a mendacious connection for employment and 1 number of unlawfully possessing a firearm portion being successful the U.S. illegally. Together, the charges transportation a maximum condemnation of 20 years successful prison, according to prosecutors.

Roberts is present expected to plead blameworthy to some charges, according to a plea statement helium signed Wednesday. The statement besides indicates that Roberts is alert helium could look deportation aft helium serves his sentence.

FORMER DES MOINES SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT TAKEN INTO DOJ CUSTODY ON FEDERAL FIREARMS, IMMIGRATION CHARGES

The Des Moines Public Schools committee voted 7–0 to judge superintendent Ian Roberts’ resignation aft ICE agents detained him and officials ruled helium lacked some a valid licence and authorization to enactment successful the U.S. (Fox; DHS)

The Department of Homeland Security antecedently said Roberts has an extended transgression history, including cause and weapons possession. 

"Ian Andre Roberts, a transgression amerciable alien with aggregate weapons charges and a cause trafficking charge, should person ne'er been capable to enactment astir children," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said astir the clip of his apprehension past September. "When ICE officers arrested this superintendent, helium was successful possession of an amerciable handgun, a hunting knife, and astir $3,000 successful cash." 

A national expansive assemblage successful October returned a two-count indictment. According to the plea agreement, Roberts admitted helium knowingly and intentionally made a "false attestation" connected the Employment Eligibility Verification form, known arsenic an I-9, that he submitted in Des Moines, claiming helium was a U.S. citizen. That carries a punishment of up to 5 years successful situation and a fine.

DEM STATE ELECTION BOARD UNDER FIRE AFTER ICE-ARRESTED SUPERINTENDENT SURFACES ON VOTER ROLLS

Ian Roberts, the erstwhile superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, speaks to students astatine Theodore Roosevelt High School successful Des Moines connected Oct. 21, 2024. (Jon Lemons/Des Moines Public Schools via AP)

Roberts completed the I-9 signifier erstwhile helium was hired successful 2023 and submitted a Social Security paper and driver’s licence arsenic verifying documents, according to the district. He also stated he was a U.S. national successful his exertion to the authorities committee of acquisition examiners, which issued Roberts a nonrecreational head licence successful 2023. 

Roberts was taxable to a announcement to look earlier an migration justice successful October 2020, conscionable months earlier his enactment authorization was acceptable to expire, and a last removal bid successful 2024, authorities said. District officials said they were not alert of the migration issues, The Associated Press reported. 

Alfredo Parrish, 1 of Roberts’ attorneys, has said his lawsuit was nether the content from a anterior lawyer that his migration lawsuit was "resolved successfully." 

Roberts besides faces a national weapons charge, punishable by up to 15 years successful situation and a fine. The indictment describes two pistols, a rifle and a shotgun recovered successful Roberts’ possession. In summation to the 1 successful his conveyance erstwhile helium was arrested, 3 firearms were recovered during a search of Roberts’ home, authorities said.

Ian Roberts, the erstwhile superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, delivers an yearly code astatine North High School successful Des Moines, Iowa, connected Feb. 11, 2025. (Jon Lemons/Des Moines Public Schools via AP)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Roberts volition hold to forfeit the weapons, according to the agreement. 

Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano and The Associated Press contributed to this report.