Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested [1] Ian Andre Roberts, the Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, on Friday after he attempted to evade federal agents during a traffic stop.
According to an ICE press release, Roberts, a Guyanese national, was found in possession of a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash, and a fixed blade hunting knife at the time of his arrest.
Photo of the gun recovered by ICE agents in Dr. Robert’s vehicle today, per senior ICE official. FOX is told it was a loaded Glock 19. pic.twitter.com/Cu7fqVqusM [2]
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) September 26, 2025 [3]
Officers reported that when they first approached Roberts in his vehicle and identified themselves, he sped away.
His vehicle was later located abandoned near a wooded area, and he was taken into custody with the assistance of the Iowa State Patrol.
Roberts originally entered the United States on a student visa in 1999.
How does a school district in a capital city of the US interview and hire a person here illegally with a prior gun offense to be the leader of their district and student body? https://t.co/Z4PoMGrxqb [4]
— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) September 26, 2025 [5]
ICE records show that he had been charged with weapon possession on February 5, 2020, and an immigration judge issued a final order of removal against him in May 2024.
Sam Olson, Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in St. Paul, described the arrest as significant for community safety.
“This suspect was arrested in possession of a loaded weapon in a vehicle provided by Des Moines Public Schools after fleeing federal law enforcement. This should be a wake-up call for our communities to the great work that our officers are doing every day to remove public safety threats. How this illegal alien was hired without work authorization, a final order of removal, and a prior weapons charge is beyond comprehension and should alarm the parents of that school district,” Olson said.
HOLY FVCK!!
The Iowa Board of Education knew about Ian Andre Roberts’ academic background but failed to conduct a proper background check before hiring him. Roberts wasn’t just in the country illegally, he was an active fugitive with a deportation order and had a prior… https://t.co/KjTr5HjFUY [6] pic.twitter.com/Yfdx8fvf53 [7]
— I Meme Therefore I Am (@ImMeme0) September 26, 2025 [8]
In response to the arrest, the Des Moines School Board acted swiftly to implement its leadership succession plan.
Board Chair Jackie Norris confirmed Friday that Associate Superintendent Matt Smith will serve as Interim Superintendent.
“Pursuant to the Board-approved DMPS leadership succession plan, Matt Smith, Associate Superintendent, will immediately step into the role of Interim Superintendent until further notice. This action follows Dr. Ian Roberts being detained by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents this morning. We have no confirmed information as to why Dr. Roberts is being detained or the next potential steps,” Norris said in a statement.
Norris emphasized that the district’s priority remains providing stability for students and staff.
“Our priority is to provide a safe, secure and outstanding education for all students and to support our students, families, and employees. The appointment of Mr. Smith as Interim Superintendent ensures that our District continues to operate at the highest level,” she said.
Local education organizations also responded.
The Iowa State Education Association and the Des Moines Education Association issued a joint statement expressing concern over the situation.
“We were shocked to hear of Dr. Ian Roberts’s detainment by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents early this morning. Since being hired as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, we have known Dr. Roberts to be a tremendous advocate for students, families, staff, and the community. His leadership and compassion for all students, regardless of background, identity, or family origin, are a beacon of light in one of the state’s most diverse school districts,” the statement said.
The groups added, “It is a dark and unsettling time in our country. This incident has created tremendous fear for DMPS students, families, and staff. We call on the community to come together and support each other.”
The case against Roberts is ongoing, and federal officials have not released details on the timing of his removal proceedings.
For now, Des Moines Public Schools has moved to stabilize district leadership while addressing the concerns raised by the arrest.