An Iowa school district superintendent living in the United States illegally who also faces weapons charges was arrested Friday, authorities said.
Ian Andre Roberts, the head of Des Moines Public Schools, the largest school district in the state, was arrested under a fugitive warrant. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents pursued Roberts after he attempted to escape, according to authorities.
They later found his vehicle abandoned, and an Iowa State Patrol K-9 was called in to help search for him.
“This incident follows Dr. Ian Roberts being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents earlier today. We currently have no confirmed details regarding the reasons for Dr. Roberts’ detention or any forthcoming proceedings,” the Friday message conveyed.
Before his educational career, Roberts was an athlete at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, representing Guyana in track and field as a middle-distance runner, reported the Des Moines Register.
Roberts also served on the board of the Directors Council, a local group comprised of several nonprofits focused on Des Moines’ Black community.
“Dr. Roberts has been an invaluable collaborator, a staunch advocate for equity, and a steadfast supporter of families and youth in Polk County,” the group noted in a statement. “His impact on both The Directors Council and the broader community is significant, and we stand with him in this time of uncertainty.”
“We understand this development brings about numerous questions and concerns. As an organization, our key focus remains on furthering our mission with consistency and integrity while also fully supporting Dr. Roberts and his family,” the statement mentioned. “We are dedicated to providing updates as soon as confirmed information becomes available.”
