DES MOINES, IA – An Iowa school superintendent has been taken into custody following his arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to online records. Dr. Ian Roberts, who leads Des Moines Public Schools, was initially expected to be held at the Pottawattamie County Jail but was later transferred to the Woodbury County Jail.
The arrest, described by authorities as “targeted enforcement,” involved multiple agencies, including ICE and the Iowa State Patrol. ICE reports that Roberts fled a traffic stop, abandoning his vehicle near a wooded area before being apprehended. The incident has left the school district and community members in shock.
Protests erupted Friday as news spread of Roberts being detained. Many in the community expressed disbelief and concern for a leader they considered an integral part of their lives. “Honestly, when I first heard it, I was in tears,” shared one community member.
ICE revealed that Roberts was found in possession of a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash, and a hunting knife at the time of his arrest. Originally from Guyana, Roberts had a prior citation in Pennsylvania in 2021 for having an unlawful loaded gun in a vehicle. He was fined $100 but never arrested.
The Des Moines Public Schools district confirmed awareness of the 2021 incident when hiring Roberts in 2023. However, they were not informed of a federal judge’s final order of removal against Roberts issued in 2024. Despite this, Roberts had completed all necessary employment verification paperwork.
The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners granted Roberts a license to serve as a superintendent in the state in July 2023. District leaders have yet to receive formal notification from ICE and have not communicated with Roberts since his detention.
Community members and district officials have voiced their support for Roberts, highlighting his contributions to positive change within the school system. “We stand firm with our community, feeling sad, outraged, and helpless,” said a spokesperson for the district.
Des Moines Public Schools has scheduled a special board meeting to discuss Roberts’ status and consider administrative leave. The meeting will be held in a closed session, with updates to follow both on-air and online.