Hunter
10/06/25
The Des Moines School Board has filed suit against the search firm that led to hiring former Superintendent Ian Roberts in 2023.
Iowa Capitol Dispatch reports the actions came after Roberts was detained by U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement. Roberts, who is a citizen of Guyana according to court documents, was arrested by ICE agents Sept. 26 during a “targeted enforcement operation,” according to a news release from the federal agency. A handgun, hunting knife and $3,000 in cash were found in his vehicle, and ICE stated he evaded arrest.
While there has been significant confusion and backlash surrounding Roberts’ detainment, in the days since his arrest, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has released documents confirming Roberts was given an order of removal by an immigration judge in May 2024, and he has faced multiple criminal charges.
During the search process, a 2022 criminal charge against Roberts for having a loaded weapon in his vehicle while hunting and the fact that he had not received a doctorate from Morgan State University as he claimed on his resume were flagged for Des Moines Public Schools and board members. But DMPS officials said many of the issues brought up since his arrest — including his immigration status, previous criminal charges as well as the falsification of other parts of his resume — were subjects that should have been flagged during the search and background check process.
The lawsuit says that JG Consulting failed to properly vet candidates for the Superintendent position and that Roberts should never have been presented as a finalist. They’re accused of breach of contract, fraudulent misrepresentation and negligence in the process of offering Roberts as a candidate. The Des Moines School Board seeks unspecified damages.