Illegal Firearms Scandal Rocks Iowa Schools

A former superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district has pleaded guilty to lying about his citizenship status and illegally possessing firearms while living in the United States without legal authorization—a shocking betrayal that exposes catastrophic failures in our education system’s vetting processes and raises urgent questions about who’s really running our schools.

Story Highlights

Ian Roberts admitted falsely claiming U.S. citizenship on federal employment forms to secure his position leading Des Moines Public Schools serving 30,000 students
Roberts illegally possessed multiple firearms including a loaded handgun, pistol, rifle, and shotgun despite having no legal status and a prior weapons conviction
He faces up to 20 years in prison and deportation after working illegally since 2020 when his authorization expired
The school district is now suing its background check firm for negligence in hiring someone with a removal order and expired work authorization

Serial Immigration Violations Lead to Federal Charges

Ian Roberts entered the United States in 1999 on a student visa and spent two decades building a career in urban education despite failing to secure permanent legal status. Between 2001 and 2018, Roberts applied for a green card four times, with his final application denied for failing to respond to requests. By December 2020, his work authorization expired entirely, rendering him unauthorized to work anywhere in the United States. Despite this legal reality, Roberts proceeded to submit fraudulent documentation in June 2023, falsely claiming U.S. citizenship on federal I-9 employment forms to secure the superintendent position at Des Moines Public Schools.

Armed Arrest Reveals Pattern of Criminal Conduct

Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Roberts on September 26, 2025, discovering a loaded handgun in his vehicle along with cash and a knife. A subsequent search of his residence revealed additional firearms including a pistol, rifle, and shotgun. This wasn’t Roberts’ first run-in with weapons charges—he had previously pleaded guilty to a weapons offense in Pennsylvania in 2022, which contributed to a final removal order issued in May 2024. Yet despite having an active deportation order and zero legal authorization to remain in the country, Roberts continued serving as superintendent until his arrest forced his resignation just four days later on September 30, 2025.

Background Check Failures Spark Legal Accountability

Des Moines Public Schools now faces serious questions about how Roberts passed their vetting process. The district has filed a lawsuit against JG Consulting, the background check firm responsible for screening Roberts, alleging negligent failure to detect his unauthorized status, prior criminal history, and outstanding removal order. School board president Jackie Norris claimed officials were completely unaware of any issues until the arrest, a statement that underscores either incompetence or willful ignorance in the hiring process. This case sets a troubling precedent showing how easily fraudulent actors can infiltrate positions of authority over our children when proper safeguards fail.

Plea Deal Secures Conviction, Sentencing Looms

On January 22, 2026, Roberts pleaded guilty in federal court before U.S. District Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to both falsely claiming citizenship and illegal firearm possession by a non-citizen. His defense attorney, Alfredo Parrish, argued Roberts obtained firearms for self-defense due to threats received as superintendent and blamed prior legal counsel for misleading him on immigration matters. The U.S. Attorney’s Office agreed to recommend no additional charges and some leniency in exchange for the guilty plea. Roberts now awaits sentencing on May 29, 2026, facing up to 20 years in federal prison, mandatory forfeiture of all weapons, and near-certain deportation following any prison term. His felony conviction will permanently bar him from reentering the United States.

Guilty as Charged: Illegal Des Moines Ex-Superintendent Pleads to Citizenship Lie and Firearm Possession

Yaasss!!!!😂😂😂😂https://t.co/gaO3khJIiY

— Michael Dorstewitz (@MikeDorstewitz) January 23, 2026

Broader Implications for School Safety and Hiring

This case exemplifies the dangers of lax enforcement and inadequate screening in our education system. Roberts deceived not just hiring officials but an entire community that entrusted him with the education and safety of 30,000 children. The fact that someone with expired authorization, a removal order, a prior weapons conviction, and fraudulent documents could ascend to lead Iowa’s largest school district reveals systemic vulnerabilities that demand immediate reform. Educational institutions must implement rigorous verification protocols including E-Verify compliance, criminal background checks that cross state lines, and immigration status confirmation before placing anyone in positions of authority. This scandal reinforces why Second Amendment restrictions on non-citizens exist and why immigration enforcement matters—Roberts violated both firearm laws and employment laws while occupying a position of public trust, demonstrating the cascading consequences of failing to uphold our nation’s borders and laws.