(WBFF) — The former superintendent of Des Moines, Iowa, schools – who was registered to vote in Maryland despite not being a U.S. citizen – will take a plea deal in his federal criminal case, according to court records.
Ian Roberts, who emigrated from Guyana to the United States in 1994 and had his employment authorization expire in 2020, was federally charged with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, as well as making a false statement for employment.
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Roberts was found to be registered to vote in Maryland, despite his citizenship status, after his initial arrest, leading to calls from certain groups for more stringent standards in Maryland’s voter registration procedures.
Roberts was employed by Baltimore City Schools for nearly eight years between August 2001 and June 2010, according to the school system, with five of those years spent as a teacher and two as a principal. He attended graduate school at Morgan State University during that time, pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Urban Educational Leadership, however he did not receive a degree from the school.
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Roberts resigned from his role as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools on Sept. 30, 2025, days after he was arrested while allegedly fleeing from ICE agents.
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A hearing to go over the terms of Roberts’ plea agreement was set for Jan. 22 in Des Moines. His trial was set to start on Mar. 2. He also faces a pending order of deportation
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