In brief
Ian Roberts, the former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, was charged in federal court after being arrested by immigration agents. Roberts, originally from Guyana, was found with four firearms, one in his vehicle during the arrest and three others at his home. His legal representation has indicated that he plans to plead not guilty, asserting his presumption of innocence despite the charges. The case highlights the complexities surrounding immigration status and firearm possession.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, who was detained last week by immigration agents, was charged Thursday in federal court with possessing firearms while in the U.S. illegally, prosecutors said.
Ian Roberts resigned this week as Des Moines’ superintendent of schools, just days after he was pulled over and fled from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, who ultimately arrested him with the help of officers from the Iowa State Patrol. When he was arrested, federal agents found a handgun that was wrapped in a towel inside the Jeep Cherokee he was driving, according to court papers.
Roberts, who is originally from Guyana, had been jailed in Sioux City, about 150 miles northwest of Des Moines, since late Friday afternoon. Officials said he was taken into custody on a federal arrest warrant for the weapons charge and appeared by video before a federal magistrate judge.
Roberts’ attorney, Alfredo Parrish, said his client will plead not guilty. “Our position at this time — he has a presumption of innocence,” Parrish said. “He will exercise his right to indicate to the court, if he is indicted, that he’s not guilty.”
Roberts, 54, is alleged to have been in possession of four firearms, according to court documents. Authorities said Roberts had been authorized to work in the U.S. between December 2018 and 2020 but has since “not had lawful employment authorization,” according to the complaint.
Federal authorities said Roberts had a final removal order that was issued last year, and an immigration judge denied a motion to reopen Roberts’ immigration case in April this year. The complaint released Tuesday alleged that Roberts had that final removal order in a different car at his residence.
Roberts had been under the impression from a prior attorney that his immigration case was “resolved successfully,” his attorney has said. “It has been my pleasure to represent you throughout this process, and I am pleased to report that your case has reached a successful resolution,” Texas attorney Jackeline Gonzalez wrote on March 27.
Roberts had an unpaid legal bill with her office. One firearm, the one found under the driver’s seat of his school-issued vehicle when he was arrested, was a pistol believed to have been purchased by Roberts’ wife, authorities said. The other three — a pistol, a rifle and a shotgun — were found during a search of Roberts’ home, the complaint said, and all were allegedly loaded.
