Ian Roberts, who once helmed Iowa’s largest school district as superintendent, is preparing to enter a guilty plea to two federal charges this Thursday. This development comes in the aftermath of his arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last year.

Originally from Guyana in South America, Roberts led Des Moines Public Schools before federal immigration officers apprehended him on September 26, 2025. Following his arrest, Roberts promptly stepped down from his role as superintendent.

In the initial stages of his legal battle, Roberts pleaded not guilty to charges of making a false statement for employment and unlawfully possessing a firearm while residing in the U.S. illegally. These charges collectively threaten a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, as stated by prosecutors.

However, Roberts is now on the verge of changing his plea to guilty for both offenses. This shift is outlined in a plea agreement he formalized on Wednesday, which also acknowledges the possibility of his deportation after serving his sentence.

In a unanimous decision, the Des Moines Public Schools board accepted Roberts’ resignation, with a 7-0 vote, after his detainment by ICE. The decision came on the heels of findings that he lacked both a valid license and authorization to work in the United States. (Fox; DHS)

The Department of Homeland Security previously said Roberts has an extensive criminal history, including drug and weapons possession. 

“Ian Andre Roberts, a criminal illegal alien with multiple weapons charges and a drug trafficking charge, should have never been able to work around children,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said around the time of his arrest last September. “When ICE officers arrested this superintendent, he was in possession of an illegal handgun, a hunting knife, and nearly $3,000 in cash.” 

A federal grand jury in October returned a two-count indictment. According to the plea agreement, Roberts admitted he knowingly and intentionally made a “false attestation” on the Employment Eligibility Verification form, known as an I-9, that he submitted in Des Moines, claiming he was a U.S. citizen. That carries a punishment of up to five years in prison and a fine.

Ian Roberts, the former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, speaks to students at Theodore Roosevelt High School in Des Moines on Oct. 21, 2024. (Jon Lemons/Des Moines Public Schools via AP)

Roberts completed the I-9 form when he was hired in 2023 and submitted a Social Security card and driver’s license as verifying documents, according to the district. He also stated he was a U.S. citizen in his application to the state board of educational examiners, which issued Roberts a professional administrator license in 2023. 

Roberts was subject to a notice to appear before an immigration judge in October 2020, just months before his work authorization was set to expire, and a final removal order in 2024, authorities said. District officials said they were not aware of the immigration issues, The Associated Press reported. 

Alfredo Parrish, one of Roberts’ attorneys, has said his client was under the impression from a prior attorney that his immigration case was “resolved successfully.” 

Roberts also faces a federal weapons charge, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine. The indictment describes two pistols, a rifle and a shotgun found in Roberts’ possession. In addition to the one in his vehicle when he was arrested, three firearms were found during a search of Roberts’ home, authorities said.

Ian Roberts, the former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, delivers an annual address at North High School in Des Moines, Iowa, on Feb. 11, 2025. (Jon Lemons/Des Moines Public Schools via AP)

Roberts will agree to forfeit the weapons, according to the agreement.