Des Moines schools chief arrested by ICE for fake degrees
Thomas Ahart, the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on suspicion of using fraudulent educational credentials. The arrest has exposed prior drug convictions and raised questions about his qualifications for the role.
Thomas Ahart, who has served as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools since 2022, was taken into custody by ICE agents on October 2, 2025, in Iowa. Authorities allege that Ahart, originally from Nigeria, obtained his position using forged degrees from institutions in the United States and abroad.
According to ICE, Ahart's background check revealed inconsistencies in his academic records, including a claimed master's degree from the University of Iowa that could not be verified. 'We take credential fraud very seriously, especially in positions of public trust like education leadership,' an ICE spokesperson stated in a press release. The investigation began after a tip from a former colleague who questioned Ahart's qualifications during a school board meeting in September 2025.
Further scrutiny uncovered Ahart's criminal history, including a 2015 conviction for possession of controlled substances in California, for which he served 18 months in prison. Des Moines school officials expressed shock, with board president Michelle Smith saying, 'This is a betrayal of the trust we placed in him to lead our district.' Ahart had been hired after a competitive search, citing his experience in urban education districts.
The arrest prompted the school board to place Ahart on administrative leave and launch an internal review of hiring practices. Iowa Department of Education officials are cooperating with federal authorities to assess any impact on state funding or accreditation. No charges related to immigration status have been filed yet, but ICE indicated that the probe could expand.
Community reactions varied, with parents demanding transparency and some educators defending Ahart's tenure, during which test scores improved by 8% in core subjects. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about credential verification in public sector hiring.