DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district has been charged with possessing firearms while illegally in the U.S., prosecutors revealed.
Ian Roberts, who resigned earlier this week, was arrested after fleeing from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who had pulled him over. Federal agents located a handgun wrapped in a towel inside his vehicle, and further investigations uncovered additional firearms at his home.
Roberts, originally from Guyana, has been in custody since his arrest. His legal representative stated that Roberts intends to plead not guilty to the charges, emphasizing the presumption of innocence. As of now, no indictment has been returned by the grand jury.
The complaint indicates Roberts possessed four firearms and had been unauthorized to work in the U.S. since a previous work permit expired in 2020. Federal authorities also noted that he had a final removal order issued last year, and a motion to reopen his immigration case was denied earlier this year.
His former attorney claimed there was a misconception that Roberts’ immigration issues were resolved satisfactorily, which now appears to be false. This case underscores the intersection of immigration and firearms regulations, igniting discussions about policy implications.
