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DES MOINES, Iowa — <\/span>The former superintendent of Iowa\u2019s largest school district, whose arrest by federal immigration agents<\/a> drew national attention, is expected to plead guilty Thursday in federal court to charges<\/a> that he falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen and illegally possessed firearms<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ian Roberts, a native of Guyana in South America, initially pleaded not guilty to the two charges, which together carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Roberts is expected to plead guilty to both charges, according to a plea agreement signed by Roberts and released Wednesday.<\/p>\n The plea agreement also indicates that Roberts is aware he could face deportation after he serves his sentence.<\/p>\n Roberts was superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, a district of about 30,000 students, when he was arrested on Sept. 26 in a targeted Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation. He allegedly fled from federal agents before they detained him in a nearby wooded area with the help of state troopers. <\/p>\n Authorities say they found a loaded handgun wrapped in a towel under the seat and $3,000 in cash in the district-issued Jeep Cherokee he was driving.<\/p>\n Roberts, an educator and administrator for two decades in districts across the U.S., was beloved for his charismatic and exuberant leadership style. His arrest stunned the Des Moines community.<\/p>\n A federal grand jury in October returned a two-count indictment. According to the agreement, Roberts made a \u201cfalse attestation\u201d on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Eligibility Verification form, known as an I-9, that he submitted in Des Moines, claiming he was a U.S. citizen even though authorities say he knew he lacked authorization. That carries a punishment of up to five years in prison and a fine.<\/p>\n Roberts completed the I-9 form when he was hired in 2023 and submitted a Social Security card and driver\u2019s license as verifying documents, according to the district. He also stated he was a U.S. citizen in his application to the state board of educational examiners, which issued Roberts a professional administrator license in 2023.<\/p>\n