Former Iowa superintendent pleads guilty to falsely claiming US
citizenship
[January 23, 2026]
By HANNAH FINGERHUT
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The former superintendent of Iowa’s largest
school district pleaded guilty Thursday, and admitted to falsely
claiming to be a U.S. citizen on a federal form and illegally possessing
firearms.
Ian Roberts, a native of Guyana in South America, had initially pleaded
not guilty to both counts, which together carry a maximum sentence of 20
years in prison, and a trial was scheduled to begin in early March.
Roberts affirmed Thursday that he's aware his guilty pleas could have an
impact on his immigration case and that he could face immediate
deportation after he serves his sentence.
Roberts ascended as an exuberant and inspiring leader over a two-decade
career in urban education. For two years, he was superintendent of the
Des Moines public school district, which serves 30,000 students.
Just weeks into a new school year, Roberts was detained by federal
immigration officers. The Sept. 26 arrest stunned community members and
drew national attention to his history of criminal charges and falsified
credentials.
On Thursday, Roberts walked into the courtroom with his wrists and feet
cuffed. He addressed U.S. Magistrate Judge Helen C. Adams cordially and
simply as he acknowledged he understood his rights and the details of
his plea agreement, which he had in front of him. Roberts put on
eyeglasses to follow along.
“It is my signature, your honor,” he said of the signed agreement, and
later confirmed it was “my decision” to sign it.
As part of Roberts’ plea agreement, prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s
Office for the Southern District of Iowa agreed to not pursue additional
charges against Roberts or others related to these counts, according to
the filing. Prosecutors also agreed to recommend some leniency, but
Roberts’ sentence is ultimately up to U.S. District Judge Rebecca
Goodgame Ebinger. That hearing is scheduled for May 29.
Alfredo Parrish, one of Roberts’ attorneys, told reporters after the
hearing that Roberts “wanted to accept responsibility and that’s what he
did,” though Parrish said personally that the moment was “not one of the
happiest” in his long legal career.
In a targeted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation,
Roberts was pulled over in his school-issued Jeep Cherokee and allegedly
fled from federal agents. They later found the car abandoned near a
wooded area and located Roberts with the help of state troopers.
Authorities said a loaded handgun was wrapped in a towel under the seat
and there was $3,000 in cash in the car.
A federal grand jury in October returned a two-count indictment.
According to the plea agreement, Roberts admits he knowingly and
intentionally made a “false attestation” that he was a U.S. citizen on
the Employment Eligibility Verification form, known as an I-9, that he
submitted in Des Moines. Roberts answered: “Yes, your honor” when asked
by the federal judge if that statement on the I-9 was, in fact, false.
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Ian Roberts, superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, greets
students at Greenwood Elementary School in Des Moines, Aug. 25,
2025. (Jon Lemons/Des Moines Public Schools via AP)
That carries a punishment of up to five years in prison and a fine.
Roberts also faces a federal weapons charge, punishable by up to 15
years in prison and a fine. In addition to the one in his vehicle
when he was arrested, a second pistol, a rifle and a shotgun were
found during a search of Roberts’ home, authorities said.
Roberts will forfeit the weapons, according to the agreement.
Roberts completed the I-9 form when he was hired in 2023 and
submitted a Social Security card and driver’s license as verifying
documents, according to the district. He also stated he was a U.S.
citizen in his application to the state board of educational
examiners, which issued Roberts a professional administrator license
in 2023.
Phil Roeder, a spokesperson for Des Moines Public Schools, declined
to comment on Roberts’ legal proceedings. The district’s focus
“remains on serving the educational needs of students,” he said in a
statement.
Roberts was subject to a notice to appear before an immigration
judge in October 2020, just months before his work authorization was
set to expire, and a final removal order in 2024, authorities said.
District officials said they were not aware of the immigration
issues.
Parrish has said his client was under the impression from a prior
attorney that his immigration case was “resolved successfully."
During Thursday's hearing, Parrish mentioned that advice of prior
counsel as one of the lines of defense he had discussed with
Roberts.
Parrish also said they had discussed arguing to dismiss the firearms
charge, citing ongoing court cases addressing Second Amendment
rights and telling reporters later that it’s an area of the law “in
flux." Parrish said during the hearing that one argument in Roberts'
favor could have been possession of firearms for self defense,
saying Roberts had gotten threats as superintendent that he had
reported to law enforcement.
Parrish told reporters Thursday that the sentencing hearing “will be
most important,” adding that he will address factors that are likely
to impact the court's decision.
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