A federal judge sentenced Ian Roberts, the former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools in Iowa, to two years in prison for immigration and gun charges. U.S. District Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger issued the sentence on Friday, following Roberts's guilty plea to charges of possessing a firearm as an illegal immigrant and making a false statement for employment. The judge considered Roberts's background and contributions to education but determined that a prison sentence was necessary. U.S. Attorney David Waterman had sought a longer sentence, while Roberts's defense team requested probation.
Roberts was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in September while employed by the Des Moines public school district. He had falsely claimed U.S. citizenship when hired in June 2023. Following his prison term, Roberts is expected to be deported, as a Texas immigration judge ordered him to leave the country in 2024. At the time of his arrest, authorities found a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash, and a hunting knife in his school district-issued vehicle, along with four illegally owned firearms.
In response to the sentencing, a spokesperson for Des Moines Public Schools stated that the district respects the legal process and the court's jurisdiction regarding the matter.