Federal immigration agents have detained the head administrator of Iowa's capital city public schools after a "targeted enforcement operation," authorities said Friday.

Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements agents Friday morning in possession of a loaded handgun, cash and a hunting knife, according to a statement by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Authorities said he tried to evade arrest.

ICE officials said Roberts was in the U.S. on an expired student visa and was given a final order of removal by an immigration judge in May 2024. The agency said that he had existing weapons charges from 2020, but it did not release further details.

This suspect was arrested in possession of a loaded weapon in a vehicle

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