In brief
Ian Roberts, recently appointed to head Iowa’s largest school district, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly claiming to be a U.S. citizen on employment documentation and possessing a firearm while illegally residing in the country. The case has sparked controversy surrounding the school district's hiring and vetting processes, leading to a lawsuit against the consulting firm involved and the cancellation of a major political campaign by school board chair Jackie Norris.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Ian Roberts, the former superintendent for Iowa’s largest school district, has been indicted by a federal grand jury following allegations that he falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen eligible for employment.
The indictment, issued on Thursday evening, outlines two charges against Roberts: making a false statement for employment and being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.
Roberts, a native of Guyana, has worked in various school districts for over twenty years. He was detained on September 26 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a targeted operation. Authorities reported that he attempted to evade agents in his district-issued Jeep Cherokee before being found hiding in a wooded area. A handgun was also discovered in the vehicle, wrapped in a towel.
In 2023, Roberts started his tenure with Des Moines Public Schools, which serves approximately 30,000 students. The indictment accuses him of making a false attestation on a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Eligibility Verification form (I-9), asserting he was a U.S. citizen despite knowing otherwise.
Roberts' attorney has yet to respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, federal authorities disclosed that an immigration judge issued a final removal order against him last year, and a previous appeal to reopen his immigration proceedings was denied earlier this year.
After his detention, Roberts was transferred to federal custody on October 2, charged with illegally possessing firearms. In addition to the weapon in his vehicle, additional firearms, including two pistols, a rifle, and a shotgun, were recovered from his home.
The situation continues to unfold, as the Des Moines school district now faces significant backlash. Following an investigative report revealing the consulting firm's history of hiring Roberts, the district has filed a lawsuit against the firm involved in facilitating Roberts' superintendent search. Additionally, Jackie Norris, the school board chair, has called for a review of the district’s spending and ended her campaign for a U.S. Senate seat shortly after these events came to light.
