Des Moines, Iowa – The former superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district is expected to plead guilty in federal court Thursday in front of two Feesincluding falsely claiming to be a US citizen, which could result in a long prison sentence and increased risk of deportation.
Ian Roberts, a native of Guyana in South America and former Olympic runner, has risen as an energetic and inspirational leader over a two-decade career in sports. Urban education. For two years, he was superintendent of the Des Moines Public School District, which serves 30,000 students.
Just weeks into the new school year, so was Roberts He was detained by federal immigration officers. The September 26 arrest stunned community members and brought him national attention History of criminal charges and Fake credentials.
Roberts in October initially pleaded not guilty to one count of filing a false statement of employment and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm while in the country illegally. The combined charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Roberts is expected to plead guilty to both charges, according to the plea agreement he signed Wednesday.
The plea agreement also indicates that Roberts is aware that he could face deportation after serving his sentence.
In a targeted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation, Roberts was stopped in his school-issued Jeep Cherokee and allegedly fled from federal agents. They later found the car abandoned near a wooded area, and were able to locate Roberts with the help of state troopers. A loaded handgun was wrapped in a towel under the seat and there was $3,000 in cash in the car, authorities said.
A federal grand jury in October returned a two-count indictment. According to the plea agreement, Roberts admits that he knowingly and intentionally provided a “false certification” on the Employment Eligibility Verification form, known as an I-9, that he filed in Des Moines, claiming to be a U.S. citizen even though he did not have a permit. This is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years and a fine.
Roberts completed Form I-9 when he was hired in 2023 and provided his Social Security card and driver’s license as verification documents, according to the district. He also stated that 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.
Authorities said Roberts was subject to notice to appear before an immigration judge in October 2020, just months before his work permit and final removal order were set to expire in 2024. District officials said they were not aware of the immigration cases.
Alfredo Parrish, one of Roberts’ attorneys, said his client was under the impression from a previous attorney that his immigration case had been “successfully resolved.”
Parrish declined to comment on Wednesday.
Roberts also faces a federal weapons charge, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine. The indictment describes two handguns, a shotgun and a rifle found in Roberts’ possession. In addition to the weapon found in his car when he was arrested, three firearms were found during a search of Roberts’ home, authorities said.
Roberts will agree to confiscate the weapons, according to the agreement.
As part of the plea agreement with Roberts, prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa agreed not to pursue additional charges against Roberts or others in connection with these charges. Prosecutors also agreed to recommend some leniency, but Roberts’ sentence is ultimately up to the judge.
The trial was scheduled to begin in early March.