KCCI obtained court documents Thursday that reveal new information about the former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools.Roberts, 54, who was arrested last week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, is facing federal charges for being an illegal alien in possession of firearms. He was in court Thursday for an initial appearance before a United States Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.Roberts was booked into Polk County Jail at 4 p.m. Thursday, according to a spokesperson for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Here’s what court documents obtained Thursday show. You can see the full criminal complaint here.Roberts’ immigration statusAccording to court documents, Roberts is a citizen of Guyana. He entered the U.S. in 1999 on a student visa that expired in 2004.Roberts filed four times for applications to register permanent residence or adjust status — once in May 2001, then three times in 2018. All applications were rejected by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.In July 2018, Roberts applied for an adjustment of status based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen. It was denied in January 2020 because Roberts “failed to respond to a request for additional information.”Roberts was then ordered removed from the U.S. in absentia in May 2024, according to immigration records.» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayRoberts’ arrest by ICE agentsAccording to court records, officers with ICE were surveilling his home on the morning of Friday, Sept. 26. They followed his school-issued vehicle “which drove at a high rate of speed.”ICE agents called for Iowa State Patrol and a patrol canine to help find Roberts, who was located approximately 200 yards away from where his vehicle was abandoned, according to court records.WATCH: Ian Roberts facing federal firearms chargeRoberts’ federal firearms chargesInvestigators say they found a firearm “wrapped in a towel under the driver’s seat” when searching his vehicle.Additionally, three firearms were found in Roberts’ home, according to a federal search warrant. Investigators also found multiple firearm magazines and assorted ammunition.Roberts’ employment authorizationAccording to a criminal complaint, Roberts had lawful employment authorization until December 18, 2020.He has not had lawful employment authorization since that date, according to the criminal complaint.More coverage about Roberts’ arrest
DES MOINES, Iowa —
KCCI obtained court documents Thursday that reveal new information about the former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools.
Roberts, 54, who was arrested last week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, is facing federal charges for being an illegal alien in possession of firearms. He was in court Thursday for an initial appearance before a United States Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.
Roberts was booked into Polk County Jail at 4 p.m. Thursday, according to a spokesperson for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Hearst Owned
This booking photo of Ian Roberts, former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, was provided Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, by Polk County Jail.
Here’s what court documents obtained Thursday show. You can see the full criminal complaint here.
Roberts’ immigration status
According to court documents, Roberts is a citizen of Guyana. He entered the U.S. in 1999 on a student visa that expired in 2004.
Roberts filed four times for applications to register permanent residence or adjust status — once in May 2001, then three times in 2018. All applications were rejected by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
In July 2018, Roberts applied for an adjustment of status based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen. It was denied in January 2020 because Roberts “failed to respond to a request for additional information.”
Roberts was then ordered removed from the U.S. in absentia in May 2024, according to immigration records.
» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page
» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
Roberts’ arrest by ICE agents
According to court records, officers with ICE were surveilling his home on the morning of Friday, Sept. 26. They followed his school-issued vehicle “which drove at a high rate of speed.”
ICE agents called for Iowa State Patrol and a patrol canine to help find Roberts, who was located approximately 200 yards away from where his vehicle was abandoned, according to court records.
WATCH: Ian Roberts facing federal firearms charge
Roberts’ federal firearms charges
Investigators say they found a firearm “wrapped in a towel under the driver’s seat” when searching his vehicle.
Additionally, three firearms were found in Roberts’ home, according to a federal search warrant. Investigators also found multiple firearm magazines and assorted ammunition.
Roberts’ employment authorization
According to a criminal complaint, Roberts had lawful employment authorization until December 18, 2020.
He has not had lawful employment authorization since that date, according to the criminal complaint.
