Immigration brokers have arrested the superintendent of Des Moines public faculties.
Ian Roberts, the primary Black superintendent of Iowa’s largest faculty district and a former Olympic observe athlete who competed for Guyana within the 2000 Sydney Olympics, was “detained by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents this morning,” the varsity district stated in an announcement.
“We have no confirmed information as to why Dr. Roberts is being detained or the next potential steps,” the district added whereas naming an interim superintendent.
At a press convention, Jackie Norris, chair of the Des Moines faculty board, stated the district “did not have all the facts,” however known as Roberts “an integral part of our school community since he joined over two years ago.”
Roberts joined the district in 2023 and “has held educational leadership positions in districts across the U.S. for 20 years,” Norris stated.
The Iowa Board of Academic Examiners issued Roberts a license to function a superintendent in Iowa in 2023, Norris added, earlier than referring to “new information that has been made public that we did not know, and we have not been able to verify, as to whether that information is accurate.” Officers didn’t take questions on the press convention.
In a follow-up electronic mail, Phil Roeder, a spokesperson for Des Moines Public Faculties, stated the agency JG Consulting had recognized Roberts as a candidate for the superintendent position, “and a third-party comprehensive background check was conducted by Baker-Eubanks.” Roeder added that Roberts had accomplished an I-9 employment eligibility verification type.
“The district has not been formally notified by ICE about this matter, nor have we been able to talk with Dr. Roberts since his detention,” the e-mail added.
ICE confirmed Roberts’ arrest in a press launch and stated he got here to the US on a scholar visa in 1999 and was given a remaining order of elimination by an immigration decide final 12 months. The company alleged Roberts was working as a superintendent with out work authorization.
The discharge additional alleged: “During a targeted enforcement operation on Sept. 26, 2025, officers approached Roberts in his vehicle after identifying himself, but he sped away. Officers later discovered his vehicle abandoned near a wooded area. State Patrol assisted in locating the subject and he was taken into ICE custody.”
“This suspect was arrested in possession of a loaded weapon in a vehicle provided by Des Moines Public Schools after fleeing federal law enforcement,” ICE’s Enforcement and Removing Operations St. Paul Subject Workplace Director Sam Olson is quoted as saying. ICE additionally alleged Roberts had $3,000 in money and a fixed-blade looking knife when he was arrested.
After an unrelated incident in 2022, Roberts stated he was a licensed hunter and gun proprietor, The Related Press reported.
“The investigation into how Roberts acquired the handgun is being turned over to the ATF,” ICE’s launch stated. “It is a violation of federal law for those in the U.S. without legal status to possess a firearm and ammunition.”
It wasn’t instantly clear whether or not Roberts has authorized illustration.
As of Friday afternoon, ICE’s on-line detainee locator listed Roberts as being held at Pottawattamie County Jail in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The itemizing exhibits Roberts’ nation of delivery as Guyana.
