{"id":2549036,"date":"2026-01-23T08:32:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T13:32:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-iowa-superintendent-arrested-by-ice-changes-plea-to-guilty\/"},"modified":"2026-01-23T08:33:05","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T13:33:05","slug":"former-iowa-superintendent-arrested-by-ice-changes-plea-to-guilty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-iowa-superintendent-arrested-by-ice-changes-plea-to-guilty\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Iowa superintendent arrested by ICE changes plea to guilty"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fformer-iowa-superintendent-arrested-by-ice-changes-plea-to-guilty%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2549036&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Ian Roberts, the former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, pleaded guilty to federal charges after being arrested by ICE for staying in the U.S. illegally. He admitted to falsely claiming U.S. citizenship on an Employment Verification form (I-9) and to being an illegal immigrant in possession of four firearms (two handguns, a rifle, and a shotgun). Roberts, who had not been authorized to work since December 2020, was detained in September, indicted in October, and resigned from his position. He had initially pleaded not guilty; a March trial was canceled after the plea change. Under the plea agreement prosecutors will not pursue additional charges, but Roberts &#8211; who is from Guyana &#8211; could face up to 20 years in prison on the combined counts, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 29, and may be deported afterward; the plea could limit his ability to challenge removal. The school board said it was unaware of any immigration issues when he was hired.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Former Iowa superintendent arrested by ICE changes plea to guilty<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2481210\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A former school superintendent in Des Moines, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iowa\/\">Iowa<\/a>, entered a guilty plea at a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/riveting-live-stream-video-antrim-county-court-hearing-on-dominion-voting-machines-agreement-to-remove-protective-order\/\" title=\"RIVETING-  LIVE-STREAM VIDEO: Antrim County Court Hearing on Dominion Voting Machines \u2014 AGREEMENT TO REMOVE PROTECTIVE ORDER!\">court hearing<\/a> on Thursday, months after he was arrested by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ice\/\">Immigration and Customs Enforcement<\/a> for staying in the country illegally.<\/p>\n<p>Ian Roberts pleaded guilty to falsely claiming U.S. citizenship for employment and being an <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/illegal-immigrants\/\">illegal immigrant<\/a> in possession of firearms.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4430554\/key-takeaways-from-jack-smiths-house-judiciary-testimony\/\">Key takeaways from Jack Smith&rsquo;s House Judiciary testimony<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4429182\/doj-lays-evidence-predatory-incursion-venezuelan-gang-appeals-court-hearing\/\">DOJ lays out evidence of &#8216;predatory incursion&#8217; by Venezuelan gang in appeals court hearing<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4430211\/jack-smith-dodges-questions-cassidy-hutchinson-witness-credibility\/\">Jack Smith dodges questions on Cassidy Hutchinson witness credibility<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>He had initially pleaded not guilty to both federal charges. In light of his plea change, a March trial will not be moving forward.<\/p>\n<p>Roberts was the superintendent for Des Moines Public Schools for over two years before he was <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/3836350\/dhs-record-iowa-school-superintendent-ian-roberts-immigration\/\">detained in September<\/a>. He was then indicted by a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/missouri-man-charged-with-threatening-to-murder-2-us-congressmen\/\" title=\"Missouri Man Charged With Threatening to Murder 2 US Congressmen\">federal grand jury<\/a> in October. Around this time, he resigned from his post.<\/p>\n<p>The defendant was charged with lying about his <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3904001\/records-ian-roberts-claimed-citizenship-maryland-voting-application\/\">citizenship<\/a> status on a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Verification Form I-9 as part of his employment. The district&rsquo;s school board said it was unaware of any <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >immigration-related issues<\/a> at the time of his hiring.<\/p>\n<p>Roberts had not been authorized to work in the United States since December 2020, according to federal authorities.<\/p>\n<p>He was also charged with owning four guns &mdash; two handguns, a rifle, and a shotgun &mdash; after ICE officers uncovered them while searching his home and vehicle last year.<\/p>\n<p>Roberts could face a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/no-verdict-in-ghislaine-maxwell-trial-jury-will-return-monday\/\" title=\"No Verdict in Ghislaine Maxwell Trial, Jury Will Return Monday\">combined maximum sentence<\/a> of 20 years on the two charges. His sentencing date is set for May 29.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4430445\/democrats-push-to-blacklist-ice-agents-from-future-government-jobs\/\">DEMOCRATS PUSH TO BLACKLIST ICE AGENTS FROM FUTURE GOVERNMENT JOBS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As part of the plea agreement, federal prosecutors will not pursue any additional charges against Roberts in the case.<\/p>\n<p>The agreement, however, states that Roberts may be deported after serving his sentence and that his guilty plea &ldquo;may restrict&rdquo; his ability to challenge removal from the U.S. Roberts hails from Guyana.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Former Des Moines superintendent pleads guilty<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2549037,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26021723503045.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[8364,3813,5626],"class_list":["post-2549036","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-ice","tag-immigration","tag-iowa"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26021723503045.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2549036","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2549036"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2549036\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2549040,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2549036\/revisions\/2549040"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2549037"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2549036"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2549036"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2549036"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}