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Former Des Moines Schools Superintendent to Plead Guilty to Federal Charges Ahead of Trial
Des Moines, IA – Ian Roberts, who previously served as the superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, has agreed to plead guilty to two federal charges. This development comes via a plea agreement filed Wednesday in federal court, just weeks before his scheduled trial.
Roberts, who led Des Moines Public Schools for over two years, was arrested by ICE agents in September 2025 during an immigration operation. During his detainment, a loaded handgun was discovered in his vehicle, and prosecutors later found three additional firearms at his residence. Federal authorities have stated that Roberts has not been authorized to work in the U.S. since December 2020.
Following his arrest, a federal grand jury indicted Roberts on charges of illegal alien in possession of a firearm and false statement for employment. The latter charge stems from his claim of U.S. citizenship on a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Verification Form I-9, submitted as part of his employment with Des Moines Public Schools.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Roberts will plead guilty to both charges. He faces a maximum potential sentence of 15 years for the weapons charge and five years for the false statements charge. The government has agreed to recommend to the sentencing judge that Roberts receive credit for acceptance of responsibility, though no promises have been made regarding the court’s final sentencing decision.
The agreement also stipulates that the government will not drop any charges but will refrain from pursuing additional federal charges against Roberts in the Southern District of Iowa related to the unlawful possession of firearms and false statements concerning his citizenship to Des Moines Public Schools.
The plea agreement further notes that Roberts’ guilty plea could lead to his removal from the U.S. after serving his sentence and “may restrict” his ability to challenge removal, as he is not a U.S. citizen.
A change of plea hearing for Roberts is scheduled for Thursday afternoon in Des Moines. He will remain in custody pending the imposition of his sentence.
Roberts had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges following his indictment in October, with a jury trial set to begin in March. Last month, his attorneys indicated in a court filing that the parties were actively working towards a resolution.
Before his tenure in Des Moines, Roberts held leadership positions in school districts across the U.S. for approximately two decades, beginning his role as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools in July 2023.
Days after his arrest by ICE agents, Roberts resigned. This followed the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners revoking his administrator license and the Des Moines School Board’s unanimous vote to place him on unpaid administrative leave, demanding proof of work authorization or face termination. Roberts did not provide the requested information.
The Des Moines School Board has stated it was unaware of Roberts’ immigration issues at the time of his hiring. Roberts, a native of Guyana and a former Olympian who competed in the 2000 Sydney Games, entered the U.S. in 1999 on a student visa that expired in 2004, according to ICE. He has no work authorization in the U.S., and a judge issued a final order of removal in 2024.