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A highly compensated Iowa school superintendent with previous weapons charges was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement for being in the United States illegally for more than a year, officials stated.
Ian Andre Roberts, former head of Des Moines Public Schools, was detained on a ‘fugitive warrant’ after he attempted to flee from ICE agents.
Roberts, 54, was identified as ‘an illegal alien from Guyana’ who has had an active deportation order since May 2024 along with a current weapons possession charge, as reported by ICE.
Roberts, earning an impressive $305,000 salary in his role, allegedly fled and deserted his vehicle when federal agents approached him. Iowa State Patrol later discovered him hiding in the brush south of the area where he had left the car.
A loaded gun, a fixed blade hunting knife, and $3,000 cash were found inside the vehicle.
‘This suspect was arrested in possession of a loaded weapon in a vehicle provided by Des Moines Public Schools after fleeing federal law enforcement,’ said ICE Enforcement Removal Operations St. Paul Field Office Director Sam Olson.
‘How this illegal alien was hired without work authorization, a final order of removal, and a prior weapons charge is beyond comprehension and should alarm the parents of that school district.’
Ian Andre Roberts, former head of Des Moines Public Schools,was hired as superintendent in July 2023. A statement by DMS schools said he was a qualified candidate with ‘educational experience, academic excellence and a passion for innovation and inspiration’
He was detained on a ‘fugitive warrant’ after he attempted to flee from ICE agents
A loaded gun, a fixed blade hunting knife, and $3,000 cash were found in the 54-year-old’s vehicle
Olson added this detainment is a testimony ‘to the great work that our officers are doing every day to remove public safety threats.’
Roberts last entered the US in 1999 on a student visa and was arrested for weapons possessions charges in February 2020 that are still pending, according to ICE.
He was hired as the superintendent in July 2023.
A judge ordered the former superintendent’s deportation in May 2024, which were held in absentia or without the defendant present.
A request was made to reopen the case in April 2025 but a Dallas immigration judge decided against it.
DMS schools said in a statement that he was a qualified candidate with ‘educational experience, academic excellence and a passion for innovation and inspiration.’
‘Dr. Roberts proudly shares that he was born to immigrant parents from Guyana, and spent most of his formative years in Brooklyn, NY.’
Over 200 Des Moines residents swarmed the downtown Iowa area to protest the 54-year-old’s arrest.
Roberts is an undocumented school superintendent with previous weapons charges, he was arrested after a chaotic police chase
Rallying protestors chanted ‘free Dr. Roberts’ and ‘no justice no peace’ while holding signs that read ‘release our superintendent,’ KCCI reported
Fellow teachers and students were among the crowds expressing their ‘shock’ and anger for Roberts detainment.
Des Moines School Board Chair Jackie Norris said Associate Superintendent Matt Smith will serve as interim superintendent until further notice.
‘This action follows Dr. Ian Roberts being detained by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents this morning,’ the school board said.
‘We have no confirmed information as to why Dr. Roberts is being detained or the next potential steps.’
