Photo: Polk County Jail
(Des Moines, IA) -- Former Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts appeared in federal court this afternoon.
Roberts pled guilty to making a false statement for employment, and being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. The 55-year-old wore a jail jumpsuit and chains during his appearance. The judge walked him through the terms of his plea.
The false statement charge carries a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. The firearm possession charge carries a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. If the sentences run consecutively, the charges could result in 20 years in prison. He will be sentenced May 29, and remain in custody until then.
Roberts is a native of Guyana and has a final order of removal against him issued by an immigration judge in May of 2024.
Roberts was taken into custody in September by ICE. He later resigned as superintendent from Des Moines Public Schools. A federal grand jury has indicted Roberts for lying about his citizenship status, on his i-9 form. Court documents show Roberts said he was a United States citizen, when he knew he was not. The grand jury also indicted Roberts for illegally owning firearms.
In November Des Moines Public Schools released a report on the hiring of Roberts. The law firm hired to investigate the process, Dickinson Bradshaw, found issues with the hiring firm JG Consulting and its background-check process. They say JG Consulting provided the district with an incorrect version of Roberts resume on multiple occasions. The report also says that while the school board was aware of Roberts’ 2021 gun citation, they didn't know of any immigration issues.
Roberts is in federal custody in the Polk County Jail in Des Moines.