Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts was detained through an operation conducted on Sept. 26, involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a search in the south side of Des Moines.
Roberts, originally from Guyana, remains held at the Pottawattamie County Jail. ICE records indicate his detention stems from allegations of residing illegally within the United States.
Roberts entered the U.S. on a student visa in 1999 and has had an outstanding deportation order since May 2024. Reports state that during the arrest, Roberts fled from law enforcement, leaving his vehicle behind. Inside the vehicle, authorities discovered a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash, and a hunting knife.
Roberts began serving as superintendent for the district—the largest in Iowa, serving more than 30,000 students—in July 2023. Following his detention, Associate Superintendent Matt Smith assumed the role of interim superintendent to manage the district during the transition.
The Des Moines Public Schools Board expressed full cooperation with federal authorities and committed to maintaining smooth school operations throughout this period.
Roberts’ background includes participation as a mid-distance runner during the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. His educational career has shown significant contributions to the Des Moines community.