DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Ian Roberts, the former superintendent of Iowa's largest school district, is now facing federal charges after allegedly making false statements about his immigration status. A federal grand jury in Des Moines has indicted Roberts for claiming to be a U.S. citizen eligible for employment, while also being accused of illegally possessing firearms as an undocumented immigrant.
Roberts was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on September 26 after a targeted operation. Reports reveal he attempted to evade capture in a district-issued Jeep Cherokee before being found in a wooded area with a loaded handgun wrapped in a towel inside the vehicle.
After serving for less than a year in Des Moines, where he was responsible for approximately 30,000 students, Roberts is now confronted with serious legal challenges. The indictment indicates that he made a false attestation on an Employment Eligibility Verification form, known as an I-9, where he incorrectly identified himself as a U.S. citizen.
Federal authorities stated that a removal order was issued against Roberts last year, and a subsequent appeal to reopen his immigration proceedings was denied earlier this year. Following his arrest, he was transferred to federal custody and found to be in possession of four firearms, including two pistols, a rifle, and a shotgun, further complicating his legal situation.
The fallout from this incident is significant for the district, prompting the Des Moines Public Schools to file a lawsuit against the consulting firm involved in his hiring process. The school's board chair, Jackie Norris, has faced scrutiny and calls for a review of district expenditures related to Roberts, and she recently announced the end of her campaign for U.S. Senate, citing the impact of the superintendent's arrest.
