Misty Roberts, the former mayor of DeRidder, Louisiana, is facing charges of third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles, according to an announcement made by the Louisiana State Police last Thursday. Roberts, 42, was serving her second term as mayor when she abruptly took a leave of absence and subsequently resigned last week.
The investigation into Roberts began on July 26, following a request from the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office for the state police to look into a complaint lodged against her. The Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit (LSP SVU) conducted interviews with two juveniles during the course of the investigation. One of the juveniles confirmed that Roberts had engaged in sexual intercourse with them while she was serving as mayor.
Roberts was arrested after a warrant was issued on Wednesday. She turned herself into the police and was booked into the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office Jail at 10:13 a.m. She was released 77 minutes later after posting a $75,000 bond.
Adam Johnson, Roberts’ attorney, maintains his client’s innocence. He criticized law enforcement for not interviewing Roberts before her arrest. Johnson stated that Roberts only learned of the warrant late the night before her arrest. He urged the public to respect Roberts’ constitutional presumption of innocence, a fundamental aspect of the justice system. Johnson also expressed gratitude for the support Roberts and her family have received from friends and neighbors.
Roberts announced on July 26, the same day the police investigation began, that she would be taking a two-week leave of absence from her mayoral duties. DeRidder Fire Chief Ken Harlow was appointed as mayor pro tem in her stead. However, Roberts submitted her letter of resignation to the city council the following day.
In her resignation letter, Roberts expressed her love and passion for DeRidder, a city of just under 10,000 people located on the west side of the state approximately 20 miles from the Texas-Louisiana border. She stated that her role as mayor had allowed her to form many great relationships and witness the community’s resilience during challenging times. However, she felt the need to adjust her focus and priorities.
The Louisiana Secretary of State’s office must officially accept Roberts’ resignation. Following this, City Council President Randy Larken will serve as the city’s mayor pro tem until a new mayor is elected on March 29, 2025.