Immigration agents have apprehended Ian Andre Roberts, the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools in Iowa, on charges of overstaying his student visa. Roberts was taken into custody on a fugitive warrant by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Friday and is also facing a firearms-related charge.
According to ICE, Roberts is a citizen of Guyana and has been living in the U.S. since 1999 on a student visa, which expired in 2020. He has an existing weapons charge from February 2020. School district officials stated they have not received specific details regarding the circumstances surrounding his arrest, emphasizing that Roberts is a vital member of the school community.
Following his arrest, Roberts was reported to be detained at a facility near Des Moines. ICE noted that he was discovered with a loaded handgun, a fixed-blade hunting knife, and $3,000 in cash. The arrest involved officers from local law enforcement who tracked him down after he fled in a vehicle provided by the school district.
Roberts faces a federal judge’s order for deportation set for 2024. The situation has raised questions about his previous employment, with concerns expressed regarding how he secured a position without valid work authorization, especially given his past legal issues.
Locally, School Board Chair Jackie Norris addressed the matter in a news conference, stating that the board is still working to ascertain the relevant facts. She reiterated that the superintendent has been an important part of the community since his appointment two years ago. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is now investigating the weapons charge.
Roberts has previously worked in education across four states and has academic credentials from institutions such as Georgetown and Harvard. Additionally, he represented Guyana in track and field at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8d70n4gpvpo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss