Editor’s note: This story was updated at 6:51 p.m. with new information.

Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Friday morning after a chase and foot pursuit that ended on Des Moines’ south side, the agency said in a news release.

Roberts, 51, who became the district’s superintendent in July 2023, is accused of being in the United States illegally and not complying with an order of removal issued in May 2024.

An immigration official approached Roberts, who was in a district vehicle Friday morning and identified himself as a federal officer, according to the news release. The release didn’t say where the encounter with Roberts occurred. Roberts “sped away,” the release said. His vehicle was later found in a wooded area on Des Moines’ south side.

At the time of his arrest, Roberts was in possession of a loaded handgun, a fixed blade hunting knife and $3,000 in cash, the release said. The vehicle Roberts was driving was provided by the school district, the release said.

Roberts has existing weapons possession charges from February 2020, the release said. The investigation into how Roberts acquired the handgun has been turned over to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The district, in a release late Friday afternoon, said that “weapons are prohibited on school grounds or at a school sponsored or school-related activity.”

Roberts entered the U.S. in 1999 on a student visa, according to the ICE release.

Roberts, in interviews after being hired by the school district, has said that his parents are immigrants from Guyana, a country on the northeastern coast of South America. That information is also included on the district’s website in Roberts’ biographical information.

Roberts grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y. and attended college in the U.S. He was a 2000 Olympian in track and field, representing Guyana; and has held several positions in education in the U.S.  

The Des Moines school board selected JG Consulting in December 2022 to coordinate the selection of a new superintendent. The firm, based in Georgetown, Texas, was among 11 that applied to work on the search.

According to the district, Baker-Eubanks conducted a comprehensive background search on Roberts. The firm is headquartered in Chicago.

Phil Roeder, director of communications and public affairs for the district, said he didn’t know whether the district conducted a separate background check before offering Roberts a contract.

The district, in a release late Friday, said that school district employees are required to verify their employment eligibility. “In this case, Dr. Roberts completed the I-9 employment eligibility verification form and submitted the required documentation,” the release said.

The district also said that Roberts disclosed the firearms charge during the hiring process. The charge was related to a hunting rifle, the district said Roberts told them. “He provided sufficient context and explanation of the situation to move forward in the hiring process,” the district said in the release. Roberts “has also spoken publicly about this experience.”

The school board approved a three-year extension of Roberts’ contract in June 2024. Roberts’ annual base salary is $279,450. He also receives a tax-sheltered annuity valued at nearly $42,000 annually.  

District officials learned of Roberts’ detainment by ICE officials around 9:45 a.m. on Friday, Roeder said. “I received a FaceTime call from Dr. Roberts. I don’t know if he made it or what because there was no conversation. … He was clearly being apprehended.”

The district, in the late Friday release, said it was not notified by ICE about Roberts’ immigration status. The district also said that “it did not have any knowledge of this situation or the order of removal.”

“There is new information that has been made public that we simply did not know and we have not been able to verify whether that information is accurate,” Norris said during a news conference Friday afternoon. She said that the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners issued Roberts a superintendent’s license in July 2023.

“During his time with our district, he has shown up in ways big and small that have advocated for the marginalized, supported students and staff and begun introducing concepts that will help us reimagine education for future generations of Des Moines students,” Norris said during the news conference.

Shortly after noon on Friday, Norris announced in a districtwide email that Matt Smith had assumed the role of interim superintendent. Smith previously served as interim superintendent during the 2022-23 school year.

The school board is scheduled to have a closed session meeting at 5 p.m. Saturday to determine Roberts’ administrative leave status.