Iowa School Chief Indicted for False Citizenship and Firearm Charges

A former Iowa school superintendent faces federal charges. Ian Roberts was indicted by a grand jury in Des Moines. The indictment alleges he falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen.

Roberts was detained by immigration agents in late September. He led the state’s largest school district in Des Moines. The district serves approximately 30,000 students.

Details of the Federal Indictment and Arrest

The two-count indictment was returned last Thursday. It charges Roberts with making a false statement for employment. He is also charged with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.

According to authorities, Roberts fled from ICE agents. He was found in a wooded area after a brief pursuit. A handgun was discovered wrapped in a towel inside his district-issued vehicle.

Three more weapons were later found at his home. These included two pistols, a rifle, and a shotgun. All four firearms are listed in the federal indictment.

Broader Fallout and District Response

The situation has created significant fallout for the school district. Des Moines Public Schools has filed a lawsuit against the consulting firm used in its 2023 superintendent search. This move highlights the ongoing repercussions of the hiring.

School board chair Jackie Norris proposed a review of Roberts’s expenditures. She also ended her campaign for U.S. Senate on the same day the indictment was made public. These events show the wide-reaching impact of the case.

Federal authorities confirmed a final removal order was issued for Roberts last year. An appeal to reopen his immigration proceedings was rejected earlier this year. His legal status had been under scrutiny well before his public arrest.

The indictment of a high-profile educational leader on these serious charges sends shockwaves through the community. This case underscores the severe legal consequences of false citizenship claims. The story continues to develop as both federal and civil proceedings move forward.

Thought you’d like to know

What charges does Ian Roberts face?

He faces two federal charges. One is for making a false statement for employment. The other is for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.

How was Ian Roberts detained?

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested him on September 26. Authorities say he fled from agents before being located in a wooded area near his vehicle.

What evidence supports the firearm charges?

Investigators found a handgun in his car during the arrest. A subsequent search of his home uncovered three additional weapons, including a rifle and a shotgun.

How has the school district responded?

Des Moines Public Schools has filed a lawsuit against the consulting firm that facilitated the superintendent search. The board is also reviewing expenditures from his tenure.

What was Roberts’s immigration status?

An immigration judge had issued a final removal order against him last year. His appeal to reopen the case was denied earlier this year, according to federal officials.