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Guyana-born former U.S. educator jailed for two years
(Kaieteur News) – Guyana-born and former superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, Ian Roberts was on Friday sentenced to two years in prison for falsely claiming to be a United States (U.S.) citizen.
Roberts was arrested last year during the immigration crackdown in the U.S.
The Associated Press in a report on Friday stated that Roberts pleaded guilty in January to falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen and illegally possessing firearms.
Former Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, Iowa, Ian Roberts
Roberts, who appeared in the courtroom on Friday, spoke to U.S. District Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger during which he pleaded for leniency as he acknowledged that his dedication to teaching thousands of children and his achievements did not “excuse my poor choice, my ethical lapse.”
According to the news report, his lawyers had proposed that he be put on probation to facilitate his removal from the United States, but prosecutors argued that his likely deportation should not be a factor. They sought a three-year sentence, at the top end of the sentencing guidelines.
In explaining her decision, Ebinger said Roberts knowingly lied about his citizenship status to earn an “incredible position of trust” and said it was “not an isolated ethical lapse.” While describing the dozens of letters of support that were submitted on his behalf as powerful and mitigating, she said probation was not a sufficient sentence, the Associated Press reported.
Attorneys for Roberts said they expect he will likely to be deported to Guyana in South America once he serves the sentence.
Roberts’ September arrest outraged and stunned the Des Moines community as President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign was escalating in cities across the country.
Roberts was in his school-issued vehicle when officers stopped him on September 26, 2025 in a targeted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation. He allegedly fled before he was located with the help of state troopers. Authorities said a loaded handgun was wrapped in a towel under the seat and $3,000 in cash was in the car. Three other weapons were recovered during a search of his home.
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Ian Roberts sealed his fate when he falsely claimed to be a US CITIZEN,
and in illegal possession of firearms. No deal making on these.
GoG, Ministry of Education could use his services when he arrives in Guyana
as a deportee after serving time.