A federal judge sentenced the former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, Ian Roberts, to two years in prison for immigration fraud and illegal firearm possession. U.S. District Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger handed down the sentence after Roberts pleaded guilty to falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and making false statements for employment. The judge considered Roberts' background and contributions but ultimately ruled prison time was necessary. Roberts, a native of Guyana, is expected to be deported after serving his sentence.
Roberts was arrested in September 2023 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while working at the Des Moines school district. He had falsely claimed U.S. citizenship when hired in June 2023. ICE found a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash, and a hunting knife in his vehicle during his arrest. Authorities also recovered three additional firearms from his home. Roberts attempted to flee ICE officers before being apprehended with the help of state troopers.
Prosecutors sought a 37-month sentence, while Roberts' defense requested probation to facilitate his deportation. The Des Moines Public Schools district declined to comment further on the sentencing but previously revised its conflict-of-interest policy after an audit revealed Roberts awarded district business to a consulting firm he worked for.