ICE Arrests School Superintendent with Weapons
Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) reportedly arrested a superintendent of a major public school system in the U.S. who was found with firearms and a significant amount of cash.
On Friday, ICE agents apprehended Ian Andre Roberts, a Guyanese national and the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools. During the arrest, officials discovered that he had a loaded handgun, a hunting knife, and approximately $3,000 in cash on him.
“The suspect was taken into custody for possessing a loaded weapon in a vehicle owned by Des Moines Public Schools after fleeing from federal law enforcement,” explained Sam Olson, director of the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in St. Paul. “This should serve as a wake-up call for our community regarding the critical work our agents do daily to ensure public safety.”
Olson expressed surprise at how Roberts, described as an illegal immigrant with a criminal record, was able to secure employment without a job permit or addressing prior allegations concerning weapons. He noted that parents in the school district should be concerned about this situation.
ICE reports indicate that Roberts entered the U.S. on a student visa in 1999 and had received a final removal order from an immigration judge. He is said to have a pending weapons charge dating back to February 2020.
There’s uncertainty about how Roberts, as an undocumented immigrant, managed to gain employment within the school system.
ICE emphasized that federal laws strictly prohibit illegal immigrants from owning firearms. An investigation is currently underway regarding the circumstances surrounding the handguns.
In response to these events, Des Moines Public Schools announced that Roberts would be replaced by interim leadership. The district’s statement emphasized the importance of ensuring a safe educational environment for students and families.
A representative from Des Moines Public Schools did not provide any comments following the incident.
This dramatic arrest comes amid a broader crackdown on immigration policies enacted during the Trump administration. The Department of Homeland Security recently claimed that over 2 million illegal immigrants have been removed from the U.S. since President Trump’s tenure began.
