Federal prosecutors have leveled serious charges against Ian Andre Roberts, the former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, implicating him in both weapons and immigration violations.
The 54-year-old, originally from Guyana, was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents following a brief pursuit in Des Moines, which subsequently led to his resignation from the school district.
As reported by Breitbart, the indictment, which was made public on Thursday, reveals that Roberts has been residing in the United States unlawfully. He initially entered the country in 1999 on a student visa that expired in 2004.
Despite multiple attempts to secure permanent residencyonce in 2001 and three times in 2018his applications were consistently denied. Further efforts to adjust his immigration status through marriage to a U.S. citizen were also unsuccessful due to his failure to provide requested information.
Although Roberts had legal authorization to work in the U.S. from December 2019 to December 2020, he was ordered to be deported on May 22, 2024. A judge recently denied his motion to reopen his case.
The sequence of events leading to Roberts' arrest unfolded on a Friday morning when ICE agents conducted surveillance at his residence in Des Moines. According to the indictment, they identified a man resembling Roberts driving a white Jeep Cherokee, which they pursued as it sped into a mobile home park.
The vehicle was later found abandoned, and Roberts was discovered hiding in nearby brush, approximately 200 yards from the Jeep.
A search of the vehicle uncovered a 9mm Glock, wrapped in a towel beneath the driver's seat, which had been purchased by his wife in October 2019. Additionally, Roberts' Guyana passport, renewed in April 2024 with a 2029 expiration date, was found.
Further investigation at his residence revealed three more firearms, including a rifle and a 20-gauge shotgun, along with several firearm magazines.
Roberts was initially held at the Woodbury County jail but has since been transferred to the custody of the Justice Department under a federal warrant, as confirmed by the county sheriff's office. Following his arrest, Roberts tendered his resignation as superintendent.
His attorney, Alfredo Parrish, conveyed this decision during a press conference, stating, "We want you to know that Dr. Roberts greatest concern is about his students who he actually loves and the students who love him back and the staff."
In response to the situation, Des Moines Public Schools announced that Matt Smith, the associate superintendent, will assume the role of interim superintendent. The school board emphasized their commitment to maintaining a "safe, secure and outstanding education for all students" and supporting the broader school community during this transition.
The unfolding of these events raises significant questions about the oversight of immigration processes and the implications for public safety and education leadership.
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