DES MOINES, Iowa (SnapScope) — Ian Roberts, the former superintendent of Iowa's largest school district, is facing serious legal troubles. A federal grand jury has indicted him after he allegedly lied about being a U.S. citizen eligible for work. The two-count indictment, issued recently, includes making false statements for employment and being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.
Roberts, originally from Guyana, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following a police chase in his district-issued vehicle. Officers discovered a handgun wrapped in a towel inside his car. Following this incident, authorities also found three additional firearms at his home during a search.
This troubling situation has led to broader implications for the Des Moines Public Schools, which had hired Roberts in 2023 to lead its district comprising around 30,000 students. An investigation revealed that Roberts may have employed a misleading narrative about his professional background for years, effectively connecting him to a firm that recommended him for various state roles. As a result, the school district is currently pursuing legal action against the consulting firm involved in his hiring process.
The chairwoman of the school board, Jackie Norris, is also facing fallout from this episode, having recently stepped back from her campaign for the U.S. Senate due to the controversy.
Roberts, originally from Guyana, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following a police chase in his district-issued vehicle. Officers discovered a handgun wrapped in a towel inside his car. Following this incident, authorities also found three additional firearms at his home during a search.
This troubling situation has led to broader implications for the Des Moines Public Schools, which had hired Roberts in 2023 to lead its district comprising around 30,000 students. An investigation revealed that Roberts may have employed a misleading narrative about his professional background for years, effectively connecting him to a firm that recommended him for various state roles. As a result, the school district is currently pursuing legal action against the consulting firm involved in his hiring process.
The chairwoman of the school board, Jackie Norris, is also facing fallout from this episode, having recently stepped back from her campaign for the U.S. Senate due to the controversy.
