Guyana-born U.S. public schools superintendent detained after fleeing ICE traffic stop

Last Updated on Friday, 26 September 2025, 22:27 by Writer

The superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to a message from the district board, with no information on what will happen next, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reported Friday.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety said that “at approximately 8:45 a.m. this morning, the Iowa Department of Public Safety received a mutual aid request to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in locating an individual who fled from a traffic stop initiated by their agents.

“Iowa State Patrol Troopers and Special Agents responded to the area and assisted in locating the subject, later identified as Ian Roberts. Roberts is in the custody of immigration authorities. Further inquiries should be directed to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”

According to the ICE online detainee locator system, Mr Roberts is being held in the Pottawattamie County Jail. The database lists his birth country as Guyana, located in South America. Iowa Public Radio reported that Roberts was named superintendent in 2023. A district profile states he was born to immigrant parents from Guyana and grew up in Brooklyn, New York.

The Iowa Capital Dispatch also reported that Des Moines Public Schools Board President Jackie Norris said in a message to the district community that Roberts, the district’s superintendent of more than two years, was detained by ICE on Friday morning. Norris said in the message the board has “no confirmed information as to why Dr. Roberts is being detained or the next potential steps.”

Associate Superintendent Matt Smith will “immediately” take on the role of interim superintendent “until further notice,” the message stated, and he has the board’s confidence in his leadership. Smith formerly served in the role during the 2022-2023 school year, according to the message, after which Roberts was hired.

“Our priority is to provide a safe, secure and outstanding education for all students and to support our students, families, and employees,” Norris said. “The appointment of Mr. Smith as Interim Superintendent ensures that our District continues to operate at the highest level.”

Norris stated in the message the board will provide updated information once they receive and have confirmed it.

Roberts is a former Olympic Track and Field athlete, according to his LinkedIn account, and started his career in education in 2000. He has served in leadership roles at school districts in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania and California.