Federal prosecutors are recommending a three-year prison sentence for Ian Roberts, the former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, after he pleaded guilty earlier this year to falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and illegally possessing firearms.In a sentencing memorandum filed ahead of Friday’s hearing, prosecutors argued Roberts knowingly broke federal law for more than 15 years and said a lesser sentence would fail to reflect the seriousness of the crimes. The charges carry a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison. Roberts, a native of Guyana, is expected to be deported after serving his sentence, according to court records.Prosecutors also rejected the idea that Roberts should receive a lighter sentence because of the immigration consequences tied to the case. Lawyers for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa wrote that reducing Roberts’ sentence “based on post-sentence immigration consequences fails to capture the sentencing aim of deterring future criminal conduct.”Roberts’ arrest in September drew widespread attention across Iowa and fueled renewed debate over immigration enforcement. Federal authorities said Roberts drove away after Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers approached him in a district-owned vehicle. Court records show officers later found Roberts on Des Moines’ south side carrying a loaded handgun, about $3,000 in cash and a fixed-blade hunting knife.As part of his plea agreement, prosecutors agreed not to pursue additional charges connected to the investigation, according to federal court filings. The agreement also limits Roberts’ ability to challenge deportation proceedings. Federal prosecutors are recommending a 37-month sentence, but the final decision will be made Friday by U.S. District Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger.Check back with KCCI.com, KCCI-TV or our KCCI mobile app for developments to this story.
DES MOINES, Iowa —
Federal prosecutors are recommending a three-year prison sentence for Ian Roberts, the former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, after he pleaded guilty earlier this year to falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and illegally possessing firearms.
In a sentencing memorandum filed ahead of Friday’s hearing, prosecutors argued Roberts knowingly broke federal law for more than 15 years and said a lesser sentence would fail to reflect the seriousness of the crimes. The charges carry a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison. Roberts, a native of Guyana, is expected to be deported after serving his sentence, according to court records.
Prosecutors also rejected the idea that Roberts should receive a lighter sentence because of the immigration consequences tied to the case. Lawyers for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa wrote that reducing Roberts’ sentence “based on post-sentence immigration consequences fails to capture the sentencing aim of deterring future criminal conduct.”
Roberts’ arrest in September drew widespread attention across Iowa and fueled renewed debate over immigration enforcement. Federal authorities said Roberts drove away after Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers approached him in a district-owned vehicle. Court records show officers later found Roberts on Des Moines’ south side carrying a loaded handgun, about $3,000 in cash and a fixed-blade hunting knife.
As part of his plea agreement, prosecutors agreed not to pursue additional charges connected to the investigation, according to federal court filings. The agreement also limits Roberts’ ability to challenge deportation proceedings.
Federal prosecutors are recommending a 37-month sentence, but the final decision will be made Friday by U.S. District Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger.
Check back with KCCI.com, KCCI-TV or our KCCI mobile app for developments to this story.
