DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — What started as a regular day turned into a whirlwind on Friday when federal immigration agents arrested the popular leader of Iowa’s largest school district. The arrest occurred after Superintendent Ian Roberts, during a traffic stop, sprinted into the woods, leaving the community in disbelief.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) revealed that Roberts, originally from Guyana, was in the United States without proper documentation. They claimed he was an ICE fugitive due to a final order of removal issued against him in 2024.
The drama unfolded when ICE officials initiated a traffic stop while Roberts was driving his school vehicle. Following a brief chase, his abandoned vehicle was found near a wooded area. Luckily, officers located him later with assistance from the Iowa State Patrol. By late Friday afternoon, Roberts was taken into custody and booked into the Woodbury County jail. It remains unclear whether he has legal representation.
Phil Roeder, a spokesperson for the district, shared that he was scheduled to meet Roberts at a school function but received a text that he wouldn’t make it. Shortly thereafter, Roeder managed to connect with Roberts via video call, witnessing the moment authorities detained him.
Roeder disclosed to The Associated Press that uniformed staff were under the impression there was nothing indicating Roberts was not a legitimate citizen. In response to the shocking event, the district promptly arranged for an in-depth background check and confirmed that Roberts fulfilled I-9 requirements, which include showing proper work authorization documents. Furthermore, they claimed complete unawareness of the 2024 removal order.
Interestingly, aside from his administrative duties, Roberts reportedly had a handgun, a significant amount of cash, and a knife on him at the time of his arrest.
ICE enforcement representative Sam Olson commented, calling it a wake-up call and underscoring the work they do daily to safeguard public safety, lamenting that this incident raises concerns for parents within the district especially seeing as Roberts had a prior gun-related charge.
Roberts: A Valued Leader in Education
The situation has sparked a considerable response in the schools, with officials piecing together the complicated circumstances surrounding his arrest. Roberts has been portraying himself as an effective leader, noted for bridging connections with a diverse student body.
School board president Jackie Norris praised him, highlighting his significant contributions, describing Roberts as an integral part of their educational community.
With a solid track record, the 54-year-old had only recently begun his role as Des Moines school superintendent in July 2023. Overseeing more than 30,000 students and nearly 5,000 employees, he was shaping a promising future for this thriving district. Despite the abrupt upheaval, Roberts held an active professional administrator license granted in 2023 and an annual salary of around $270,000 according to his first contract.
The incident reached the Governor’s office, wherein Governor Kim Reynolds was briefed about Roberts’ situation by her spokesperson, who also indicated contact with relevant state and federal agencies.
The collective disappointment from the unions representing teachers and staff was evident as they issued a statement expressing their shock regarding the news, praising Roberts as a beacon of hope for a diverse student population in the school district.
Before landing in Iowa, Roberts had significant experience as an educator, including his previous role as the superintendent in Pennsylvania’s Millcreek Township School District.
Background on Ian Roberts
Roberts’ biography reveals that he hails from immigrant parents from Guyana and grew up mostly in Brooklyn, New York.
His educational journey led him to graduate from Coppin State University in 1998, where he noted that his family sought better opportunities in the U.S. during the late 20th century.
It’s worth mentioning, Roberts entered the U.S. under a student visa in 1999 and was quite the athlete, even representing Guyana in track and field at the Olympics the following year.
The Gun Charge Controversy
Given Roberts’ legal background, ICE referred to an old weapons charge but failed to provide extensive details. However, court records indicated that he pleaded guilty to minor firearm possession in vehicle, which occurred in Erie County, Pennsylvania in January 2022. He paid a small fine in that case, stemming from an interaction with a game officer.
In the wake of the events, Roberts expressed disbelief at being cited during an encounter where he intended to ensure no one felt threatened while carrying his licensed firearm. Additionally, he reflected on the possible implications of race during this incident.
With all these echoing concerns, the district was already familiar with Roberts’ minor run-ins with the law and had addressed them appropriately.
The arrests in quick succession have caught local Iowa officials off-guard as ICE continues its assertive stance. Just the day before Roberts’ arrest, plain-clothed agents in a grocery store caught the attention of bystanders as they arrested a man in front of shocked shoppers.
As news circulated regarding both episodes, community members took to the streets on Friday evening in downtown Des Moines to protest Roberts’ detention.
