Former Millcreek superintendent arrested by ICE in Iowa

(WJET/WFXP)– The previous superintendent of the Millcreek Township School District, Dr. Ian Roberts, has been taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Des Moines, Iowa.

Roberts was taken into custody by ICE on Friday morning and is being held in the Pottawattamie County Jail. The ICE website also confirmed Roberts’ detention and was later confirmed by the agency through a press release.

ICE said there was a final order of removal issued for his deportation issued by a court in May 2024 and that he had no work authorization. They also said Roberts was located by ICE agents early Friday morning and allegedly sped away from a traffic stop after being identified.

His car was later found abandoned near a wooded area before he was taken into custody, ICE said. Roberts has existing weapon possession charges from February 5, 2022 when he was cited for placing his loaded weapon in his car at an Erie area state gamelands.

At the time of his arrest, ICE said Roberts was in possession of a loaded handgun, $3,000 cash and a fixed-blade hunting knife. Iowa State Patrol assisted ICE in apprehending Roberts.

“This suspect was arrested in possession of a loaded weapon in a vehicle provided by Des Moines Public Schools after fleeing federal law enforcement,” said ICE ERO St. Paul Field Office Director Sam Olson. “This should be a wake-up call for our communities to the great work that our officers are doing every day to remove public safety threats. How this illegal alien was hired without work authorization, a final order of removal, and a prior weapons charge is beyond comprehension and should alarm the parents of that school district.”

Roberts, who was born in Guyana and came to the United States in 1999 on a student VISA, was hired as the superintendent of the Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) in July 2023 after leaving the same position with the Millcreek Township School District in June 2023, after three years in the role and being unanimously confirmed by the Millcreek Township School Board.

In a message sent out to families and posted on their social media, Des Moines Public School Board Chair Jackie Smith said they were not aware of Roberts’ detention and have not received any confirmed information as to why he was detained or any potential next steps.

The nearest immigration court to the Pottawattamie County Jail would be the Omaha Immigration Court, roughly two hours away.

The full message sent from the school board chair is as follows:

On behalf of the Board of the Des Moines Public Schools, I wish to share information of immediate importance to the DMPS community.

Pursuant to the Board-approved DMPS leadership succession plan, Matt Smith, Associate Superintendent, will immediately step into the role of Interim Superintendent until further notice. This action follows Dr. Ian Roberts being detained by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents this morning. We have no confirmed information as to why Dr. Roberts is being detained or the next potential steps.

Our priority is to provide a safe, secure and outstanding education for all students and to support our students, families, and employees. The appointment of Mr. Smith as Interim Superintendent ensures that our District continues to operate at the highest level.

Mr. Smith previously served DMPS as Interim Superintendent during the 2022-2023 school year. The Board has the highest confidence in Mr. Smith’s leadership at this time. We know you have many questions, and we will provide updates as we learn more confirmed information. We thank you and appreciate your support.

Jackie Norris, Board President

Des Moines Public Schools

This is a developing story, more information will be provided as it becomes available.