Former Des Moines Superintendent Roberts will take plea deal in federal immigration case

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) - Former Des Moines Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts is taking a plea deal in his federal criminal case, according to new court filings.

Roberts, originally from Guyana, was arrested September 26 while allegedly running from ICE agents in Des Moines. Department of Homeland Security officers found a gun, a knife and $3,000 in cash in a district vehicle he was driving, officials said.

He faced charges including illegally possessing a gun and making a false statement for employment. Court documents indicate he may have possessed four different firearms.

In October, Roberts pleaded not guilty to making false employment statements and possessing firearms while in the country illegally.

Details of the plea deal have not been disclosed at this time. A hearing is scheduled for January 22, and Roberts’ trial is set to begin March 2.