Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent and Former Olympian Ian Roberts Arrested by ICE
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Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent and former Olympian, Ian Roberts, has been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for reportedly residing in the U.S. illegally. Ian Roberts, who was born in Guyana and grew up in Brooklyn, New York, had a successful career in education before this recent turn of events.
Roberts entered the U.S. on a student visa in 1999 and is highly educated, holding four degrees including a B.S. degree, two Masters degrees, and a doctorate. He has been an integral part of the Des Moines Public Schools community since becoming the superintendent in July 2023.
According to ICE, Ian Roberts was issued a final order of removal by an immigration judge in May 2024. The Department of Homeland Security labelled Roberts as a “criminal illegal alien.” Roberts, reportedly tried to evade arrest by fleeing from the police and was found in possession of a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash, and a hunting knife.
In addition to the recent arrest, Roberts also faces weapon possession charges from previous incidents, including one count of possessing a loaded firearm inside a vehicle in connection with a December 2021 incident in Erie, Pennsylvania. He entered a guilty plea in January 2022 for this charge. The Des Moines Public Schools district stated that Roberts had disclosed a previous firearm charge related to a hunting rifle during his hiring process.
Despite the shocking turn of events, the Des Moines Public Schools district has taken swift action, appointing Matt Smith as the interim superintendent following Roberts’ detainment. The statement released by the district expressed devastation over the situation and highlighted Roberts’ contributions to the school community.
Ian Roberts has a rich background in education, having served in various roles including classroom teacher, school administrator, executive leader, and author. Before his tenure at Des Moines Public Schools, he worked at several other educational institutions across the country and earned accolades such as the George Washington University’s 2013 Washington D.C. Principal of the Year award.
The city of Des Moines was caught off-guard by Roberts’ detainment, with Mayor Connie Boesen stating that city officials, including the police department, were not given advance notice. Roberts’ journey from Guyana to the U.S., his impressive academic achievements, and his career in education all paint a picture of a man dedicated to bettering the lives of those around him.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the Des Moines community and beyond await further developments in the case of Ian Roberts, hoping for a resolution that does justice to his past accomplishments and contributions to education.