A grand jury has sentenced Ian Roberts, a Guyanese and former superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, to two years in a federal prison for alleged firearm possession and falsely claiming U.S. citizenship.

Mr Robert, who had served as the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools for over two years, was captured by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in September 2025.

He will be deported to his country after serving his jail term. 

While his employer argued it was unaware of his immigration status, Mr Robert resigned from his position following his arrest.

According to prosecutors, a loaded handgun was found in Mr Robert’s vehicle during his arrest.

Following further investigation, three other firearms were found in his residence.

During his trial, Mr Robert pleaded guilty to both charges.

His attorneys said, “Dr Ian Roberts accepted responsibility for his offences. Immediately after his arrest, he admitted his misconduct and advised his counsel to negotiate with the government.”

According to Mr Robert’s attorneys, he was committed to public service and should receive a probationary sentence to facilitate his removal from the United States.

However, prosecutors argued that Mr Roberts “betrayed the public’s trust when he falsely claimed citizenship to obtain employment as the Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent.”

They noted that he also unlawfully possessed four firearms as an illegal alien.

They further argued that Mr Roberts’ conduct “demonstrates a longstanding and deliberate pattern spanning more than 15 years, and that a sentence of 37 months reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s crimes, promotes respect for the law, and provides just punishment.”

A former Olympian who competed in the 2000 Sydney Games, Mr Robert entered the U.S. in 1999 on a student visa that expired in 2004, according to ICE records.