DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The former superintendent of Iowa's largest school district, Ian Roberts, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on multiple charges related to his immigration status and firearm possession.
Returned during a session on Thursday, the two-count indictment alleges that Roberts made a false claim of U.S. citizenship while seeking employment and further charges him with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.
Originally from Guyana, Roberts was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on September 26 after he attempted to flee from custody in his district-issued vehicle, where agents later discovered a handgun concealed in a towel.
Roberts had become the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools in 2023, overseeing around 30,000 students. Authorities accuse him of submitting a false attestation in an Employment Eligibility Verification form, also known as an I-9, falsely stating that he was a U.S. citizen.
Roberts' attorney, Alfredo Parrish, was unavailable for immediate comment after the indictment.
His case has sparked broader scrutiny into the practices of the school district which continues to face repercussions stemming from this incident, including a lawsuit filed against the consulting firm involved in his hiring. The firm has been criticized for its vetting processes, bringing into question how Roberts passed the background checks that allowed him to secure such a significant position in the education system.
Furthermore, the fallout may extend to the Des Moines school board, with Jackie Norris, the school board chair, suggesting a re-evaluation of spending related to Roberts while also sharing that she has ended her own Senate campaign amid the allegations surrounding his criminal history.
As layered investigations reveal Roberts’ past, the school district remains in damage control mode while seeking to reassure the community regarding safety and integrity within its administration.
