Des Moines Public School Principal and former Olympian Ian Roberts arrested by ICE

Dr. Ian Roberts, former Olympia and current Dean of Des Moines public school, was arrested by U.S. immigration and customs enforcement on Friday, Sept. 26, the agency said in a statement.

The former Olympic and public school administrator was arrested and detained for suspected illegal residency in the United States, the agency said. In the statement, ICE claimed that Roberts issued a “final dismissal order for immigration judges” in May 2024. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) describes Roberts as a “criminal illegal foreigner.”

Guyana native allegedly abandoned his car and fled police officers during the arrest, Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin told Registered monk. McLaughlin also claimed that Roberts owns a pistol with a pistol, $3,000 in cash and a hunting knife.

The district did confirm in a statement from Iowa Public Radio that its policies indicate that the weapon is “banned based on school or school sponsorship or school-related activities.”

Roberts is also said to face “existing weapons possession charges” in February 2020. He is also charged with one count of possessing a firearm inside a vehicle related to the December 2021 incident in Erie, Pennsylvania. He signed a plea in January 2022.

“Dr. Roberts has previously been associated with hunting rifles, and he disclosed the gun to the DMPS board during the recruitment process,” DMPS said of Roberts' 2021 charges.

“He provided enough context and explanations to move forward in the recruitment process. He also spoke publicly about the experience,” DMPS said. Registered monk.

Roberts also talked about the incident in a February 2022 social media post. At the time, he was the principal of the Millcrek Township School District, Pennsylvania. He explained that a state game warden sent him a citation while he was hunting in a wooded area. Roberts claims he is a licensed gunman. During the conversation, Roberts placed the gun in his car to make the officer feel safe.

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The region also confirmed that Roberts had undergone a third-party comprehensive background check. Phil Roeder, Director of Communications and Public Affairs of the Region Registered monk. The statement also said the district was not aware of Robert's removal order.

After Roberts' arrest, the district announced that Matt Smith would serve as its interim dean at a press conference.

“We also destroyed him by the news of his detention,” Smith said. “In the words of Dr. Roberts, 'If you row together, you will survive the tide. If you row alone, you may drown. As we learn more, we choose to row together.”

DMPS Board Chairman Jackie Norris added: “What we know is that Dr. Roberts has been an integral part of our school community since joining two years ago.”

Mayor Connie Boesen said in a statement that Des Moines city officials, including the police department, did not inform him of his detention in advance.

Roberts was born in Guyana and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. According to DMPS, he entered the United States on a student visa in 1999. He graduated from Coppin State University and received two master's degrees from St. John's University and Georgetown University. Roberts later received his PhD in Urban Education Leadership from Trident University.

Roberts has been in education for decades, serving as classroom teacher, school administrator and executive director. He also wrote several books on education.

Prior to becoming DMPS principal in July 2023, he was principal of the Millcreek Town School District and the St. Louis Public Schools (MO) High School Network. He has also worked in schools in Baltimore, South Bronx, NY and Washington, D.C. and was awarded the George Washington University 2013 Washington, D.C. President of the Year Award.

Roberts also competed in the Guyana track and field racers during the 2000 Sydney Olympics.