Former Iowa superintendent expected to plead guilty to falsely claiming US citizenship

3 weeks ago 1

By HANNAH FINGERHUT, Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The former superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district is expected to plead guilty Thursday in federal court to charges that he falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen and illegally possessed firearms, a plea agreement shows.

Ian Roberts had a two-decade long career as an educator and school administrator in districts across the U.S. before becoming superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, a district of 30,000 kids where he was beloved for his charismatic and exuberant leadership style.

Just weeks into the school year, Roberts’ Sep. 26 arrest in a targeted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation stunned community members and attracted national attention.