Guyanese-Born Former School Administrator Sentenced to Two Years in US Federal Prison

Guyanese-born former Iowa school superintendent Ian Roberts has been sentenced to two years in federal prison in the United States after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of firearms and falsely claiming US citizenship.

Roberts, a native of Guyana and former Olympian who competed at the 2000 Sydney Games, received the sentence in federal court. It includes credit for eight months already served. His attorney said there are no plans to appeal.

Roberts had served as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools for just over two years before being arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in September 2025.

According to prosecutors, a loaded handgun was found in his vehicle at the time of arrest, while three additional firearms were later recovered from his residence. They said Roberts was not authorised to work in the United States after December 2020 and, due to his immigration status, was prohibited from legally possessing firearms.

Following his arrest, a federal grand jury indicted him on charges of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and making false statements in connection with employment. The latter related to claims of US citizenship on a federal employment verification form used during his hiring by the Des Moines School District.

Roberts pleaded guilty to both counts. He faced a maximum sentence of 15 years on the firearms charge and five years for making false statements.

Prosecutors had sought a 37-month sentence, arguing that Roberts “betrayed the public’s trust” by misrepresenting his citizenship to obtain senior employment and unlawfully possessing firearms while in the country illegally.

They said his conduct reflected “a longstanding and deliberate pattern spanning more than 15 years”, and that a custodial sentence was necessary to reflect the seriousness of the offences and deter similar conduct.

Defence attorneys asked for probation, saying Roberts had accepted responsibility, posed no danger, and would ultimately face deportation.

They said he should receive probation “to facilitate his removal from the United States”, and described him as someone who had been committed to public service throughout his career.

Prosecutors rejected that position, arguing that immigration consequences should not reduce the seriousness of the offences or the need for deterrence.

Roberts resigned days after his arrest, following the revocation of his administrator’s licence and action by the Des Moines School Board, which placed him on unpaid leave and sought proof of his right to work in the United States.

Authorities said he entered the US in 1999 on a student visa that expired in 2004 and had no work authorisation, with a final order of removal issued in 2024.

He is expected to be deported after serving his prison sentence.