DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) 鈥� The former superintendent of Iowa鈥檚 largest school district Thursday, and admitted to falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen on a federal form and illegally possessing firearms.
Ian Roberts, a native of Guyana in South America, had initially pleaded not guilty to both counts, which together carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and a trial was scheduled to begin in early March. Roberts affirmed Thursday his guilty pleas could have an impact on his immigration case and that he could face immediate deportation after he serves his sentence.
Roberts ascended as an exuberant and inspiring leader over a two-decade career in . For two years, he was superintendent of the Des Moines public school district, which serves 30,000 students.
Roberts had shackles around his waist during the hearing, with his feet chained and wrists cuffed. He addressed U.S. Magistrate Judge Helen C. Adams cordially and simply as he acknowledged he understood his rights and the details of his plea agreement, which he had in front of him. Roberts put on eyeglasses to follow along.
鈥淚t is my signature, your honor,鈥� he said of the signed agreement, and later confirmed it was 鈥渕y decision鈥� to sign it.
Just weeks into a new school year, Roberts was . The Sept. 26 arrest stunned community members and drew national attention to his and .
As part of Roberts鈥� plea agreement, prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney鈥檚 Office for the Southern District of Iowa agreed to not pursue additional charges against Roberts or others related to these counts, according to the filing. Prosecutors also agreed to recommend some leniency, but Roberts鈥� sentence is ultimately up to the judge.
Alfredo Parrish, one of Roberts鈥� attorneys, told reporters after the hearing that Roberts 鈥渨anted to accept responsibility and that鈥檚 what he did,鈥� though Parrish said personally that the moment was 鈥渘ot one of the happiest鈥� in his long legal career.
In a targeted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation, Roberts was pulled over in his school-issued Jeep Cherokee and allegedly fled from federal agents. They later found the car abandoned near a wooded area and located Roberts with the help of state troopers. Authorities said a loaded handgun was wrapped in a towel under the seat and there was $3,000 in cash in the car.
A federal grand jury in October returned a two-count indictment. According to the plea agreement, Roberts admits he knowingly and intentionally made a 鈥渇alse attestation鈥� that he was a U.S. citizen on the Employment Eligibility Verification form, known as an I-9, that he submitted in Des Moines. Roberts answered: 鈥淵es, your honor鈥� when asked by the federal judge if that statement on the I-9 was, in fact, false.
That carries a punishment of up to five years in prison and a fine.
Roberts also faces a federal weapons charge, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine. In addition to the one in his vehicle when he was arrested, a second pistol, a rifle and a shotgun were found during a search of Roberts鈥� home, authorities said.
Roberts will forfeit the weapons, according to the agreement.
Phil Roeder, a spokesperson for Des Moines Public Schools, declined to comment on Roberts鈥� legal proceedings. The district鈥檚 focus 鈥渞emains on serving the educational needs of students,鈥� he said in a statement.
Roberts completed the I-9 form when he was hired in 2023 and submitted a Social Security card and driver鈥檚 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.
Parrish has said his client was under the impression from a prior attorney that his immigration case was 鈥渞esolved successfully.” During Thursday’s hearing, Parrish mentioned that advice of prior counsel as one of the lines of defense he had discussed with Roberts.
Parrish also said they had discussed arguing to dismiss the firearms charge, citing ongoing cases addressing Second Amendment rights and telling reporters later that it鈥檚 an area of the law 鈥渋n flux.” Parrish said during the hearing that one argument in Roberts’ favor could have been possession of firearms for self defense, saying Roberts had gotten threats as superintendent that he had reported to law enforcement.
Parrish told reporters Thursday that the sentencing hearing, scheduled for May 29, 鈥渨ill be most important,鈥� adding that he will address factors that are likely to impact the court’s decision.
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
