The former superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district confessed in court to a stunning deception: falsely claiming U.S. citizenship. Ian Andre Roberts, once the leader of Des Moines Public Schools, admitted to the lie alongside a separate, equally serious charge.
Roberts, a native of Guyana, also pleaded guilty to being an illegal alien in possession of firearms. His arrest on September 26th triggered a swift resignation from his prominent position, unraveling a carefully constructed facade.
The details revealed a disturbing picture. Authorities found four firearms linked to Roberts, including a loaded Glock handgun discovered in his vehicle during the arrest. A subsequent search of his home uncovered a rifle, a shotgun, and another pistol.
Crucially, these weapons had crossed state lines, granting federal authorities jurisdiction over the case. As part of the plea agreement, Roberts has agreed to forfeit all the firearms, relinquishing any future claim to them.
Initially, Roberts maintained his innocence, preparing for a trial scheduled for March. This guilty plea dramatically alters the trajectory of the case, exposing him to a potential maximum sentence of twenty years in prison.
Beyond imprisonment, Roberts understands he faces almost certain deportation upon completion of any sentence. Prosecutors, however, have agreed to forgo pursuing any additional charges against him.
Federal officials paint a stark portrait of Roberts’ past, revealing an extensive criminal history. This includes prior offenses involving drugs and weapons, raising serious questions about the vetting process that allowed him to assume a position of authority.
At the time of his arrest, authorities found Roberts with an illegal handgun, a hunting knife, and nearly $3,000 in cash. The Department of Homeland Security expressed outrage, questioning how someone with such a background could oversee a school district.
The case began with a federal grand jury indictment in October, alleging Roberts knowingly and intentionally falsified an Employment Eligibility Verification form – an I-9 – claiming U.S. citizenship. He submitted a Social Security card and driver’s license as supporting documentation.
This deception extended to an application with the state board of educational examiners, where he again falsely asserted U.S. citizenship, ultimately securing a professional administrator license. The lie allowed him to gain employment in 2023.
Records show Roberts had been issued a notice to appear before an immigration judge back in 2020, before his work authorization expired. A final order of removal was issued in 2024, yet district officials claim they were unaware of these immigration issues.
Roberts’ legal team maintains he acted on the advice of a previous attorney, believing his immigration case had been successfully resolved. This claim, however, does little to mitigate the gravity of his actions and the breach of trust involved.
The case raises profound questions about background checks and the security of sensitive positions within public institutions. It serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of deception and the importance of thorough vetting procedures.
A sentencing date has yet to be determined, leaving the future of Ian Andre Roberts uncertain, but irrevocably altered by his own admissions and the weight of the evidence against him.
