The nation turned its attention to Des Moines after the arrest of then-Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for allegedly being in the United States illegally.

The dramatic account of his arrest and the ensuing details released by federal officials in the days since — alleging that the 54-year-old longtime educator with decades of experience in school districts across the country overstayed a visa from his days at St. John's University in 1999 and had at least two run-ins with law enforcement since then on weapons offenses — have left many throughout Iowa’s largest school district and beyond puzzled.

Here's a timeline of events leading up to and after the arrest of Roberts.

When was Ian Roberts arrested by ICE?

Roberts re

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