DES MOINES, Iowa (CN) - Des Moines' first Black schools superintendent says he has been "haunted" by the fact that he had been living and working in the United States without legal authorization for 24 years and lied about that repeatedly to gain employment in public schools.

That reality finally caught up with Ian Roberts when federal agents arrested him in September 2025 on immigration and illegal gun possession charges. Roberts pleaded guilty to those charges in January, and now the next chapter of Roberts' journey will include a stint in federal prison after a federal judge in Des Moines on Friday handed down a sentence of up to two years before he is then deported to back to Guyana.

Roberts, 55, was a popular leader of the state's largest school district, beloved by children whose schools he regularly visited and warmly embraced by the city's business leaders. Roberts, a tall and lean former track athlete who wore his hair in tight cornrows, was strikingly visible for his flashy and colorful vested suits, bow ties and Nike Air Force 1 sneaker running shoes.

The community was stunned with disbelief when reports of his detention spread on social media that Friday. But it was all true. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Roberts had abandoned his car and fled on foot. He was found in possession of a loaded handgun, a large amount of cash and a hunting knife, according to the federal criminal complaint. Authorities later found another handgun, a rifle and a shotgun in his residence.

With Roberts behind bars, Des Moines school officials were left scrambling to figure out how they were bamboozled by a superintendent candidate with seemingly pristine credentials but who lied about much of his life story, including falsely claiming he was a U.S. citizen. In fact, he lived in the country illegally for most of the past 30 years, and federal immigration authorities had issued a "final order of removal" for Roberts' deportation in 2024.

Prosecutors recommended a sentence of 37 months, the top of the range under the federal sentencing guidelines for the crimes of firearms possession by an illegal alien and making false statements regarding his immigration status for employment.

Roberts' legal counsel, longtime Des Moines criminal defense lawyer Alfredo Parrish urged U.S. District Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to consider probation. "He is a complex human being," Parrish said. "He acknowledged his conduct. He acknowledged his criminal activity."

In a 53-page presentencing brief filed with the federal district court, Parrish recounted the story of Roberts' life from an impoverished childhood in Guyana to the top education job in Des Moines.

"Dr. Roberts has overcome poverty, and despite his flaws and unfortunate decisions that have landed him in court, he was an admirable addition to the Des Moines community," Parrish wrote. "The court should consider his unique circumstances, the ways in which he helped students, educators, and community members, and his contributions to Des Moines and the state of Iowa."

Speaking for himself in addressing the judge Friday, Roberts expressed contrition and remorse, saying, "I committed a crime. I broke the law, something I told children and adults not to do," and "I regret what I have done every single day."

Yet, he said his work as an educator "impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of children." He cited one letter he received in jail from a second-grade student he called Ezra, who said he was inspired by Roberts. "I'm said this happened do you," the boy said in his letter to Roberts. "I hope and pray to God you may be all right."

"My hope is Ezra's prayer will be answered," Roberts said.

The Barack Obama-appointed judge said she read all the letters submitted to the court by Roberts' lawyers, "and they are powerful. Clearly Dr. Roberts had a positive impact on this community."

Yet, Ebinger said his lies about his immigration status to obtain the highest position in Des Moines's schools - "an incredible position of trust" - were not an "isolated ethical lapse" but a pattern and "a very serious offense." And when he was confronted with law enforcement officers, he fled on foot after abandoning his vehicle, which she said created a dangerous situation and undermined respect for law enforcement.

After the hearing, Parrish said he estimates Roberts could be eligible for up to 10 months for time served in county jail, which would reduce his sentence to 14 months or less if he is released early for deportation.

"That's as good as it gets," he said.

Source: Courthouse News Service