Former Des Moines Public School Superintendent Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges
Ian Andre Roberts, the former superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, pleaded guilty to two federal charges on Thursday. The charges included falsely claiming to be a US citizen and being an illegal alien in possession of guns. Roberts, a native of Guyana in South America, was detained by federal immigration officers on September 26, 2025, and subsequently resigned from his position as the head of Des Moines Public Schools.
In his plea agreement, Roberts admitted to possessing four guns, including a loaded Glock handgun found in his vehicle at the time of his arrest, as well as a rifle, a shotgun, and another pistol discovered during a search of his home. All the guns were transported across state lines, giving federal authorities jurisdiction. Roberts agreed to forfeit the weapons and waived any right to challenge the forfeiture.
Initially pleading not guilty, Roberts was scheduled to stand trial in March before changing his plea. He now faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison for the two charges. The plea agreement also stipulates that Roberts could be deported after serving any sentence. A sentencing date has not been set, and prosecutors have agreed not to pursue additional charges.
The Department of Homeland Security revealed that Roberts has a criminal history involving drug and weapons offenses. When he was arrested, Roberts was found in possession of an illegal handgun, a hunting knife, and nearly $3,000 in cash. A federal grand jury indicted Roberts on two counts in October.
According to court records, Roberts falsely claimed to be a US citizen on an employment eligibility verification form, known as an I-9, submitted in Des Moines. He completed the I-9 when he was hired in 2023, using a Social Security card and a driver’s license as documentation. Roberts also claimed US citizenship on an application to the state board of educational examiners in order to obtain a professional administrator license.
Despite receiving a notice to appear before an immigration judge in 2020 and a final order of removal in 2024, district officials stated they were unaware of any immigration-related issues involving Roberts. His attorney, Alfredo Parrish, mentioned that Roberts believed his immigration case had been resolved successfully based on advice from a previous lawyer.
In conclusion, the former superintendent’s guilty plea shines a light on the complex issues surrounding immigration and the consequences of false claims of citizenship. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the law and the repercussions of illegal actions.
