DES MOINES, Iowa — The now former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools is facing growing public scrutiny following a bizarre set of circumstances that allegedly unraveled as Federal Immigration agents took him into custody last week.

Dr. Ian Andre Roberts, 54, has been on administrative leave since he was detained on Friday after a reported car chase that ended with Federal Officials conducting a manhunt in a wooded area, and the alleged discovery of a loaded gun, $3,000 in cash, and a fixed-blade knife in the abandoned district-issued vehicle. Later that afternoon, ICE issued a statement that described Roberts as “a criminal illegal alien” with an existing weapons possession charge who had entered the United States in 1999 on a student visa and had been living as a fugitive since May of 2024, when an immigration judge signed a final removal order.

DMPS school officials said they were aware of the weapons incident, but had known nothing about Roberts being in the country illegally, and that he had signed a standard form stating that he was a U.S. citizen when he was hired in 2023. On Monday, the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners revoked his professional license, stating he no longer possessed the legal presence in the United States.

Dr. Roberts touted a 20-plus-year career in education and extensive degrees when he took over the state’s largest district.

“I attended Saint John’s University for graduate school,” he told WHO 13’s Courtney Greene in sit-down interview in November of 2023. “I went to Morgan State, Georgetown University and Trident, where I received two master’s degrees – really a professional student- and then a doctoral degree in education leadership.”

Now the public is calling into question the accuracy of his resume and professional accolades. WHO 13 decided to take a closer look at the details listed on his professional LinkedIn profile and online public records.

Multiple prestigious institutions listed, but degrees not specified

On his LinkedIn page, Dr. Roberts lists academic affiliations with seven institutions, including Harvard, MIT and Georgetown University. However, he does not specify what degrees, if any, were earned at each institution on the resume site.

Here is What WHO 13 has been able to verify:

LinkedIn: Georgetown University – The McDonough School of Business: 2012 – 2013

-Georgetown University has not yet responded to our request for comment

LinkedIn: Morgan State University: Nov 2003 – Nov 2007

-“We can confirm that Ian Roberts attended Morgan State University for graduate school from Fall 2002 until Spring 2007. While attending Morgan, he pursued a Doctor of Education in Urban Educational Leadership,” said the Office of Public Relations. “He did not receive a degree from Morgan State University.”

LinkedIn: Harvard University Graduate School of Education: 2003 – 2003

– Harvard University has not yet responded to our request for comment

LinkedIn: Incoming MBA Candidate at MIT Sloan School of Management Business: 2019 – 2021

-The MIT Sloan School of Management Business has not yet responded to our request for comment

LinkedIn: St. John’s University: 1998 – 2000

-“I can confirm that Ian Roberts graduated from St. John’s University (NY) with a Masters Degree (MSED in Social Studies 7-12) on 6/04/2000,” said Brian Browne, the Associate Vice President of University Communications & Public Affairs for St. John’s University. “Our records only indicate a Master’s degree, not a Doctorate degree as some Iowa media is reporting.”

“Any other information is subject to FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law that protects the privacy of students’ educational records and grants them rights to access and control the disclosure of these records,” Browne added.

LinkedIn: Coppin State University: 1995 – 1998

–“Over the weekend, I learned that an alumnus of Coppin State University, Dr. Ian Roberts was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Des Moines, Iowa. Dr. Roberts is a 1998 graduate of Coppin State University and was a standout scholar and athlete during his undergraduate studies,” said CSU President Dr. Anthony Jenkins.

“At this moment, we have a little information regarding the particulars surrounding Dr. Roberts’ situation. Nevertheless, during this time of uncertainty and anguish for his family and friends, we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers.”

Coppin State University also has a page dedicated to Roberts on its website, where it states he studied Criminology.

LinkedIn: Trident University International: (No dates provided)

–“While this information is directory information under FERPA, we still require authorization signed by the student to release it to 3rd parties,” said Seiha Chan, a Student Support Specialist for Trident University International. “Our policy states that information the University has designated as “directory information” may be released at the school’s discretion. Our guidance is to require a written consent from the student to release any information to any 3rd party that is not specifically listed in the policy.”

Doctorate degree and Trident University

The authenticity of Dr. Roberts’ reported Doctoral degree remains in question. Dr. Roberts, his attorney, and a 2023 press release from Des Moines Public Schools have all stated that it came from an online program called Trident University International. However, as reported above, the program declined to confirm any details, citing their business policy of needing client consent.

Extensive professional background In education

LinkedIn: Superintendent, Des Moines Public Schools: July 2023 – Present · 2 yrs 3 mos

-Des Moines Public Schools has stated that Roberts may have lied on his application about being a U.S. citizen.

LinkedIn: Executive Leadership Coach/Chief Thought Partner, Lively Paradox in Kansas City Metro Area: Jan. 2020 – Oct. 2025

-Lively Paradox CEO Nicole Price said that she was traveling and unavailable to interview, but provided the following statement on the matter:

LinkedIn: Superintendent, Millcreek Township School District: Aug. 2020 – Aug. 2023

-The Millcreek Township School District did not respond to our request for comment, but posted a statement online that confirmed Roberts’ tenure, stating in part, “Dr. Ian Roberts served as Superintendent of the Millcreek Township School District from August 13, 2020 through June 30, 2023,” and aspects of his hiring. The full statement is below.

Roberts’ was employed as Superintendent there in November 2021 when he was charged with unlawfully possessing a loaded firearm in his vehicle. The incident forced him to issue a public explanation on the district’s social media sites about the incident, which he said happened while hunting. WHO 13 obtained the narrative for the incident from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, which appears to align with his explanation. Court records show he pleaded guilty and was fined $100.

LinkedIn: Chief Schools Officer, Aspire Public Schools in Oakland, California: June 2018 – Jan. 2020

-Aspire Public Schools has not yet responded to our request for comment

LinkedIn: Middle/High School Superintendent, St. Louis Public Schools: June 2015 – June 2018

–St. Louis Public Schools has not yet responded to our request for comment

LinkedIn: Senior Vice-President, Lighthouse Academies: July 2014 – July

–Lighthouse Academies has not yet responded to our request for comment

LinkedIn: Principal/Managing Director of School Turnaround, District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) in Washington D.C.: July 2010 – July 2014

-The District of Columbia Public Schools has not yet responded to our request for comment

LinkedIn: Mentor Principal, School Leadership Trainer at New Leaders for New Schools in Baltimore, Maryland Area: June 2008 – July 2014

–New Leaders for New Schools has not yet responded to our request for comment

LinkedIn: Baltimore City Public Schools: July 2001 – July 2010

-“Ian Roberts was employed with Baltimore City Public Schools for a total of 7 years and 10 months between August 2001 and June 2010. He served as a teacher for five years, resident principal for one year and principal for two years,” Said Sherry Christian, the Media & Public Relations Manager for Baltimore City Public Schools. “That is the extent of the employment history I can share with you.”

LinkedIn: Teacher, NYC Department of Education: Sep. 2000 – June 2001

-“Confirming that he worked as a full-time substitute teacher from 10/16/2000 until 09/04/2001,” Isla Gething, the Associate Press Secretary for NYC Public Schools told WHO 13.

“Principal of the Year” award unverified

One of the accolades associated with Dr. Roberts is the title of “Washington D.C. Principal of the Year,” allegedly awarded by George Washington University in 2013 during his tenure with District of Columbia Public Schools. As of publication, WHO 13 has not been able to verify that the award exists or that it was conferred on Roberts.

Other incidents

WHO 13 has been able to locate a federal case, local court records, and several traffic citations across the country for Dr. Roberts. The information is being compiled and verified and will be published at a later date.

Roberts issued a letter of resignation to the Des Moines Public Schools District on Tuesday, his attorney said during a Noon news conference.

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.