DES MOINES — Former Des Moines Public Schools superintendent Ian Roberts pleaded guilty in January to falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and illegally possessing firearms. His sentencing is scheduled for May 29, 2026.

Roberts, a native of Guyana, served as superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, which enrolls 30,000 students. He was arrested on September 26 after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents pulled him over in his school-issued Jeep Cherokee. Authorities found a loaded handgun wrapped in a towel under the vehicle’s seat and $3,000 in cash. A subsequent search of his home recovered three additional weapons.

Federal prosecutors allege that Roberts knowingly lacked employment authorization for nearly all of his two-decade career in urban education. They state he deliberately misrepresented his legal status over many years and obtained jobs at multiple schools across several states without proper work eligibility. When hired as Des Moines superintendent, Roberts submitted a counterfeit Social Security card. Prosecutors described Roberts’ misrepresentation of his legal status as yearslong and deliberate. They wrote that Roberts “cultivated a public image grounded in integrity, leadership, and authenticity,” yet “engaged in conduct that undermined those values.” They asserted that he “placed his self-interest above the law and the duty he owed the public he served.” Prosecutors are recommending a 37-month prison sentence and argue that deportation likelihood does not warrant a reduced sentence.

Roberts’ attorneys, in court filings, acknowledged his legal violations but said he “has dedicated his life in the U.S. to public service” and “has not been a threat to public safety.” They noted that after marrying a U.S. citizen, Roberts was denied lawful permanent residency because he failed to disclose a prior arrest—though he believed disclosure was unnecessary since the charges had been dropped. His lawyers wrote, “While Dr. Roberts tried to adjust his status three more times, this initial mistake by Dr. Roberts sealed his fate.” They added that the denial of his residency application “haunted Dr. Roberts like a ghost, eventually derailing his life and career” over the next 24 years. His legal team is seeking probation to facilitate his removal from the United States, stating he will be deported to Guyana—a country he has not lived in for three decades—and will be separated from his wife and children. They wrote, “While it is the correct outcome, it is also going to already be incredibly harsh on Dr. Roberts.” Dozens of individuals submitted letters supporting him, disputing his portrayal and emphasizing his positive contributions.