Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Friday, sparking shock in Iowa’s largest school district. Federal officials said Roberts was arrested on the basis of an outstanding deportation order and prior weapons charges dating back several years. His detention comes after agents claimed he attempted to flee in a vehicle before abandoning it, where a loaded handgun, a hunting knife, and thousands of dollars in cash were allegedly recovered.

The arrest has thrown the district into turmoil, as Roberts had been serving as the leader of more than 30,000 students and had only recently been hired. School officials stated that Roberts disclosed a previous firearm-related incident during the hiring process and passed background checks, but said they had no knowledge of his immigration issues or final removal order. The district emphasized that it maintains a strict no-weapons policy on school grounds or at school events.

According to ICE, Roberts had faced prior weapons-related charges in Pennsylvania and New York, including a conviction in 2022 for carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle. Federal officials said the matter involving the newly discovered handgun has been referred to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for further investigation. The agency stressed that immigration law bars those without legal status from possessing firearms, which could intensify the charges Roberts faces.

In the wake of the arrest, the Des Moines School Board quickly moved to appoint Associate Superintendent Matt Smith as interim superintendent to ensure continuity in district operations. Parents and community leaders expressed concern about how Roberts was able to ascend to the top position despite what appear to be longstanding legal complications.

The case now moves into federal courts, where Roberts will face proceedings tied to both immigration enforcement and possible new criminal charges. His legal team is expected to challenge aspects of ICE’s case, while the district confronts mounting questions over its vetting and hiring process. For now, the arrest has placed one of Iowa’s most prominent public school systems under a cloud of uncertainty and heightened political scrutiny.