Former Iowa Superintendent Anticipated to Alter Plea in Federal Citizenship and Weapons Case
Ian Roberts, the former superintendent of Iowa's largest school district, is poised to appear before a federal judge on Thursday with expectations of changing his initial not guilty plea. The charges against him centre on allegations of falsely asserting United States citizenship and the unlawful possession of firearms, a case that has captured significant national attention since his dramatic arrest by immigration authorities.
Serious Charges and Potential Consequences
Roberts, a native of Guyana in South America, originally entered a plea of not guilty to the two federal counts. These charges collectively carry a severe maximum prison sentence of up to twenty years. Furthermore, as he is subject to a final removal order issued in 2024, Roberts also faces the stark possibility of deportation from the United States following any criminal proceedings.
The scheduled change-of-plea hearing follows indications from Roberts' legal team that negotiations with federal prosecutors were underway. These discussions aimed to reach a resolution ahead of a critical court deadline set for January 28th, suggesting a potential plea agreement may be forthcoming.
A Dramatic Arrest and Community Shock
The case stems from Roberts' arrest on September 26th, which occurred during a targeted operation conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. At the time of his arrest, Roberts was serving as the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, a district educating approximately 30,000 students.
Authorities report that Roberts allegedly fled from federal agents before being detained in a nearby wooded area with assistance from state troopers. During the arrest, a loaded handgun wrapped in a towel was discovered under the seat of the district-issued Jeep Cherokee he was driving, alongside $3,000 in cash.
Roberts' arrest sent shockwaves through the Des Moines community, where he was widely regarded as a beloved and charismatic educational leader with two decades of experience in school districts across the nation.
Details of the Federal Indictment
A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against Roberts in October. The first count alleges he made a "false attestation" on a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Eligibility Verification form, known as an I-9. He is accused of claiming U.S. citizen status despite allegedly knowing he lacked proper authorisation, an offence punishable by up to five years imprisonment and a financial penalty.
According to school district officials, Roberts completed this I-9 form upon his hiring in 2023, submitting a Social Security card and driver's licence as verification. He also reportedly stated he was a U.S. citizen in his application to the state board of educational examiners, which subsequently granted him a professional administrator licence that same year.
Complex Immigration History and Legal Representation
Federal authorities outline a complex immigration history for Roberts. They state he first entered the U.S. in 1994 on a nonimmigrant visa, returning in 1999 on an F-1 student visa set to expire in March 2004. A green card application was denied in 2003.
His next documented interaction with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services was in 2018, when he ultimately obtained work authorisation. Authorities contend his second work authorisation application was approved but expired in December 2020, and he has not held valid work authorisation since. Roberts was subject to a notice to appear before an immigration judge in October 2020, culminating in the 2024 final removal order. District officials have stated they were unaware of these ongoing immigration issues.
Alfredo Parrish, one of Roberts' attorneys, has previously stated that Roberts believed, based on advice from a prior lawyer, that his immigration case had been "resolved successfully." Parrish did not respond to requests for comment regarding the impending plea change hearing.
Additional Firearms Charges and Legal Proceedings
In addition to the citizenship charge, Roberts faces a separate federal weapons charge, which carries a potential penalty of up to fifteen years in prison and a fine. The indictment details two pistols, a rifle, and a shotgun found in his possession. Besides the firearm recovered from his vehicle, three additional weapons were allegedly discovered during a search of his home.
Roberts waived his right to be present at his arraignment in October when he entered his original not guilty plea. A trial had been scheduled to commence in early March, but this may now be superseded by the outcome of Thursday's plea hearing.
