DES MOINES, Iowa —

Dr. Ian Roberts, superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, was detained Friday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

WATCH ABOVE: Des Moines Public Schools holds news conference after Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts taken into custody by ICE

Authorities say ICE agents approached Roberts in his vehicle and Roberts sped away before abandoning his vehicle near a wooded area. That led to a search, and Roberts was eventually detained .

Department of Homeland Security officials say Roberts was in possession of a loaded gun, $3,000 in cash and a fixed-blade hunting knife.

Roberts, who has been in charge of the district since July 2023, entered the U.S. on a student visa in 1999 and received a final order of removal from an immigration judge in May 2024, accord

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