Former Iowa superintendent pleads guilty to federal charges
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DES MOINES, Iowa, Former Des Moines Public Schools superintendent Ian Roberts pleaded guilty Thursday to federal counts of falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and illegally possessing firearms, according to a plea agreement released Wednesday. Roberts, a native of Guyana who led the district of about 30,000 students, was arrested Sept. 26 during a targeted ICE operation; authorities say they found a loaded handgun and $3,000 in a district-issued Jeep. He had initially pleaded not guilty and faced up to 20 years in prison; he also remains subject to a 2024 final removal order. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.
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Timeline
- 1. Sept. 26, 2025: Ian Roberts was arrested during a targeted ICE operation.
- 2. October 2025: Roberts initially pleaded not guilty to two federal counts.
- 3. Prosecutors reported finding a loaded handgun and $3,000 in his district vehicle.
- 4. Defense and prosecutors negotiated a plea agreement ahead of a Jan. 28 deadline.
- 5. This week (January 2026): Roberts signed the plea agreement and pleaded guilty in federal court.
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