() After the Des Moines Public Schools superintendent was arrested by ICE earlier this month, the Justice Department has launched an investigation into the district over its hiring practices. 

In a news release, the DOJ will delve into “whether it engages in employment practices that discriminate based on race, color, and national origin in violation of Title VII of the Civil Right Act of 1964, as amended.”

DMPS’ former superintendent, Dr. Ian Roberts, resigned from his post after he was detained by ICE this month.

DHS said at the time Roberts was detained, he had a loaded gun, a hunting knife and $3,000 in cash in his possession. 

According to the press statement on Tuesday, the DOJ sent a letter to DMPS’s interim superintendent, Matthew Smith, citing “that DMPS may be engaged in employment practices that discriminate against employees, job applicants, and training program participants based on race, color, and national origin in violation of Title VII. DMPS states: “Diversity enriches the climate and strengthens the effectiveness of our schools …. We believe it is in the best interests of our school district to develop an employee culture reflective of the greater society.” 

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said, “DEI initiatives and race-based hiring preferences in our schools violate federal anti-discrimination laws and undermine educational priorities.  School districts must cease these unlawful programs and restore merit-based employment practices for the benefit of both students and employees.”

Des Moines Superintendent’s past under scrutiny

Roberts told ’s affiliate WHO he had a 20-year career in education and held multiple degrees.

WHO found multiple prestigious institutions like Harvard, MIT and Georgetown University were listed on his LinkedIn profile, but the degrees were not specified. 

The outlet could not confirm that Roberts’ doctorate from an online program called Trident University International was authentic. 

He was previously charged with unlawfully possessing a handgun in his car in 2021, which he said happened while he was hunting. Court records showed he pleaded guilty and paid a $100 fine.