Former Des Moines School Superintendent Arrested on Federal Gun Charge and Immigration Violation
A former school worker from St. Louis who recently held the position of superintendent in Des Moines, Iowa's largest school district, was arrested by federal immigration agents and is now facing a federal gun charge. Ian Andre Roberts was taken into custody by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on September 26. Roberts has resigned from his role as Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent. He previously worked at St. Louis Public Schools as a network superintendent from 2015 to 2018. Roberts is accused of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, with four firearms found in his possession at the time of his arrest. He is currently in U.S. Marshals custody.
According to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, Roberts had a loaded handgun, a hunting knife, and $3,000 cash in his vehicle. The complaint also mentions a 2024 removal order signed by an immigration judge and a denied motion to reopen his immigration case in April 2025. Roberts, a Guyanese citizen, arrived in the United States on visas, with the last one expiring in 2004. Despite applying three times for permanent residence, he was rejected each time by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Roberts has a history of criminal charges dating back to 1996, including traffic and weapons offenses.
Roberts' attorney, Alfredo Parrish, stated that Roberts believed his immigration case had been successfully resolved based on information from a previous attorney. The law firm representing Roberts filed a request to stay his deportation with an immigration court. The Parrish Kruidenier Law Firm has not responded to requests for comment. Roberts is currently in U.S. Marshals custody as the legal proceedings continue. The case highlights the complexities and consequences of immigration and legal status in the United States.