The superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district has been arrested by federal immigration authorities.Des Moines Public Schools confirmed Friday afternoon that Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts was detained by ICE. At that time, DMPS said it had not confirmed any information as to why Roberts is being detained.Roberts is being held at the Woodbury County Jail, according to records from ICE and the county.Shortly before 3 p.m. Friday, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that ICE agents had taken Roberts into custody during a “targeted enforcement operation.”According to DHS, ICE officers approached Roberts in his vehicle and Roberts sped away, later abandoning his vehicle near a wooded area.This led to an extensive search of the area in and around Ewing Trace Mobile Home Park on Des Moines’ south side. Federal agents and law enforcement were in the area of the mobile home park for several hours.DHS called requested mutual aid support from the Iowa State Patrol, which helped assist in locating Roberts. DHS says Roberts was in possession of a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash and a fixed-blade hunting knife.“This suspect was arrested in possession of a loaded weapon in a vehicle provided by Des Moines Public Schools after fleeing federal law enforcement,” said ICE ERO St. Paul Field Office Director Sam Olson. “This should be a wake-up call for our communities to the great work that our officers are doing every day to remove public safety threats. How this illegal alien was hired without work authorization, a final order of removal, and a prior weapons charge is beyond comprehension and should alarm the parents of that school district.”It is illegal for someone without legal immigration status to possess a firearm and ammunition, DHS says.DMPS provides update on arrest of Dr. Ian RobertsThrough a news release, Des Moines Public Schools leaders provided more information about Roberts, his arrest, and what the district knew prior to Friday.The district says Roberts underwent a comprehensive background check by Baker-Eubanks before taking over in 2023. During the hiring process, Roberts made the board aware of a firearm charge related to a hunting rifle, and provided “sufficient context and explanation” to move forward.Roberts was licensed by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, according to the district.However, the district says it did not have any knowledge that an immigration judge issued a final order of removal to Roberts in May 2024, which ICE claimed in a news release. The district also says it has a policy against weapons in school grounds or at school-related activities. DHS officials claim a gun was found in Roberts’ vehicle, a vehicle that was provided to him by the district.The board will have a special session Saturday to discuss the matter in closed session.WATCH: Des Moines residents gather downtown for protest after Dr. Ian Roberts’ arrestWATCH: ICE agents conduct search on south side of Des MoinesAccording to DHS, Roberts entered the U.S. in 1999 on a student visa and received a final order of removal by an immigration judge in May 2024. He also has an existing weapons possession charge from February 2020. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement records show Roberts in their custody at a county jail in western Iowa. But, as of 1:45 p.m., a Pottawattamie County jail employee said he is not currently at their jail.DMPS says it will hold a news conference with Norris, Smith and school board member Maria Alanzo at 3 p.m. KCCI will live stream the news conference on air and online.Who is Dr. Ian Roberts?A biography page for Roberts on the DMPS website says he was born to immigrant parents from Guyana and spent most of his childhood in Brooklyn, New York.Roberts received his undergraduate education from Coppin State University, has master’s degrees from St. John’s University and Georgetown University, and a doctorate from Trident University.Roberts has been superintendent at DMPS since July 1, 2023. Prior to that, he was a superintendent in Pennsylvania at Millcreek Township School District. He’s also worked in school districts in St. Louis, Baltimore, Washington D.C., and South Bronx, New York.What’s next for Des Moines Public Schools?DMPS School Board President Jackie Norris said that Associate Superintendent Matt Smith will immediately step in as interim superintendent until further notice.”Our priority is to provide a safe, secure and outstanding education for all students and to support our students, families, and employees,” Norris said. “The appointment of Mr. Smith as Interim Superintendent ensures that our District continues to operate at the highest level.”Des Moines residents describe ICE investigation sceneNeighbors in the area told KCCI it began to get chaotic around 8 a.m. Friday.”Next thing you know, I’m hearing ‘Come out with your hands up,’ and being a single parent, it shook me,” neighbor Taylor Willis said.”This is usually a quiet neighborhood, but over the last six months, this is not the first occurrence of something like this that has happened,” Willis added.State and local leaders react to ICE arrest of DMPS superintendentIowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ office released a statement Friday afternoon, saying, “Governor Reynolds was made aware this morning that Ian Roberts was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and is in contact with the Iowa Department of Public Safety and federal authorities.”The Iowa State Education Association and Des Moines Education Association released a statement Friday afternoon:”We were shocked to hear of Dr. Ian Roberts’s detainment by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents early this morning. Since being hired as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, we have known Dr. Roberts to be a tremendous advocate for students, families, staff, and the community. His leadership and compassion for all students, regardless of background, identity, or family origin, are a beacon of light in one of the state’s most diverse school districts.It is a dark and unsettling time in our country. This incident has created tremendous fear for DMPS students, families, and staff.We call on the community to come together and support each other.”KCCI is working to gather more information. Check back for updates.» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play

DES MOINES, Iowa —

The superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district has been arrested by federal immigration authorities.

Des Moines Public Schools confirmed Friday afternoon that Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts was detained by ICE. At that time, DMPS said it had not confirmed any information as to why Roberts is being detained.

Roberts is being held at the Woodbury County Jail, according to records from ICE and the county.

Shortly before 3 p.m. Friday, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that ICE agents had taken Roberts into custody during a “targeted enforcement operation.”

According to DHS, ICE officers approached Roberts in his vehicle and Roberts sped away, later abandoning his vehicle near a wooded area.

This led to an extensive search of the area in and around Ewing Trace Mobile Home Park on Des Moines’ south side. Federal agents and law enforcement were in the area of the mobile home park for several hours.

DHS called requested mutual aid support from the Iowa State Patrol, which helped assist in locating Roberts.

DHS says Roberts was in possession of a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash and a fixed-blade hunting knife.

“This suspect was arrested in possession of a loaded weapon in a vehicle provided by Des Moines Public Schools after fleeing federal law enforcement,” said ICE ERO St. Paul Field Office Director Sam Olson. “This should be a wake-up call for our communities to the great work that our officers are doing every day to remove public safety threats. How this illegal alien was hired without work authorization, a final order of removal, and a prior weapons charge is beyond comprehension and should alarm the parents of that school district.”

It is illegal for someone without legal immigration status to possess a firearm and ammunition, DHS says.

DMPS provides update on arrest of Dr. Ian Roberts

Through a news release, Des Moines Public Schools leaders provided more information about Roberts, his arrest, and what the district knew prior to Friday.

The district says Roberts underwent a comprehensive background check by Baker-Eubanks before taking over in 2023. During the hiring process, Roberts made the board aware of a firearm charge related to a hunting rifle, and provided “sufficient context and explanation” to move forward.

Roberts was licensed by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, according to the district.

However, the district says it did not have any knowledge that an immigration judge issued a final order of removal to Roberts in May 2024, which ICE claimed in a news release. The district also says it has a policy against weapons in school grounds or at school-related activities. DHS officials claim a gun was found in Roberts’ vehicle, a vehicle that was provided to him by the district.

The board will have a special session Saturday to discuss the matter in closed session.

WATCH: Des Moines residents gather downtown for protest after Dr. Ian Roberts’ arrest

WATCH: ICE agents conduct search on south side of Des Moines

According to DHS, Roberts entered the U.S. in 1999 on a student visa and received a final order of removal by an immigration judge in May 2024. He also has an existing weapons possession charge from February 2020.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement records show Roberts in their custody at a county jail in western Iowa. But, as of 1:45 p.m., a Pottawattamie County jail employee said he is not currently at their jail.

DMPS says it will hold a news conference with Norris, Smith and school board member Maria Alanzo at 3 p.m. KCCI will live stream the news conference on air and online.

Who is Dr. Ian Roberts?

A biography page for Roberts on the DMPS website says he was born to immigrant parents from Guyana and spent most of his childhood in Brooklyn, New York.

Roberts received his undergraduate education from Coppin State University, has master’s degrees from St. John’s University and Georgetown University, and a doctorate from Trident University.

Roberts has been superintendent at DMPS since July 1, 2023. Prior to that, he was a superintendent in Pennsylvania at Millcreek Township School District. He’s also worked in school districts in St. Louis, Baltimore, Washington D.C., and South Bronx, New York.

What’s next for Des Moines Public Schools?

DMPS School Board President Jackie Norris said that Associate Superintendent Matt Smith will immediately step in as interim superintendent until further notice.

“Our priority is to provide a safe, secure and outstanding education for all students and to support our students, families, and employees,” Norris said. “The appointment of Mr. Smith as Interim Superintendent ensures that our District continues to operate at the highest level.”

Des Moines residents describe ICE investigation scene

Neighbors in the area told KCCI it began to get chaotic around 8 a.m. Friday.

“Next thing you know, I’m hearing ‘Come out with your hands up,’ and being a single parent, it shook me,” neighbor Taylor Willis said.

“This is usually a quiet neighborhood, but over the last six months, this is not the first occurrence of something like this that has happened,” Willis added.

State and local leaders react to ICE arrest of DMPS superintendent

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ office released a statement Friday afternoon, saying, “Governor Reynolds was made aware this morning that Ian Roberts was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and is in contact with the Iowa Department of Public Safety and federal authorities.”

The Iowa State Education Association and Des Moines Education Association released a statement Friday afternoon:

“We were shocked to hear of Dr. Ian Roberts’s detainment by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents early this morning. Since being hired as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, we have known Dr. Roberts to be a tremendous advocate for students, families, staff, and the community. His leadership and compassion for all students, regardless of background, identity, or family origin, are a beacon of light in one of the state’s most diverse school districts.

It is a dark and unsettling time in our country. This incident has created tremendous fear for DMPS students, families, and staff.

We call on the community to come together and support each other.”

This content is imported from Facebook.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

KCCI is working to gather more information. Check back for updates.

» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page

» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play