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Ex-Des Moines Schools Chief Ian Roberts Reaches Plea Deal With Hearing on Jan. 22

A judge will review an undisclosed plea agreement on Jan. 22, potentially canceling his March 2 trial.

Overview

  • Court filings confirm Roberts and federal prosecutors have agreed to resolve the case, though the terms have not been made public.
  • A change-of-plea hearing is set for Jan. 22 in U.S. District Court in Des Moines, with the previously scheduled March 2 trial expected to be superseded if the plea is accepted.
  • Roberts is charged with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and with making a false statement on an I-9 by claiming U.S. citizenship.
  • Federal records state his work authorization expired in 2020 and an immigration judge issued a final order of removal in May 2024, and he remains in custody with deportation proceedings pending.
  • Investigators reported recovering multiple firearms, magazines, ammunition and immigration documents during searches, and a court order set Feb. 2 as the deadline for any plea the court would consider under specific terms.