DERIDDER, LA - The mayor of DeRidder, Louisiana, abruptly resigned and according to authorities, has since been accused of having sex with a juvenile. KSLA reported that on Thursday, August 1st, Misty Clanton Roberts was arrested by the Louisiana State Police on counts of third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.
The Beauregard Parish Sheriff's jail roster shows that Roberts, who is 42-years-old, was arrested at 10:13 a.m. and was released at 11:30 a.m. after posting her $75,000 bond. Roberts reportedly abruptly resigned as the town's mayor on July 27th and was arrested on August 1st.
Sgt. Ross Brennan, a state police spokesman, said that the alleged underage victim and another minor confirmed to the agency's Special Victims Unit that Roberts had sex with the underage boy. The arrest followed a tumultuous week in DeRidder. After initially saying she was going to be away from the office for two weeks, Roberts then appointed a mayor pro tem on July 26th, and then resigned the very next day.
Louisiana State Police said investigators conducted interviews with two juveniles, one of which was the alleged victim. Both of them told detectives that Roberts had sexual intercourse with the victim while she was the mayor.
According to KPLCTV, Roberts' attorney, Adam Johnson, released a statement that read, "It is my honor to represent Misty Roberts. My client learned late last night of a warrant, despite not being contacted to be interviewed prior to investigators obtained the warrant. My client maintains her innocence and, as it stands, she is in fact innocent.
She has not been charged with a crime and/or convicted of any crime and we trust the public will respect her constitutional presumption of innocence which is fundamental to our system of justice. Misty and her family are very grateful for the support they have received from their friends and neighbors and we look forward to putting this unfortunate situation behind them."
In her resignation letter, Roberts wrote, "For nearly 15 years, my love and passion for DeRidder has been my foundation while serving as Mayor. I will forever be proud of what we have been able to accomplish together. This role has rewarded me with many great relationships. I am humbled to have witnessed the hard work that took a community to come together and overcome through unprecedented times. However, I must adjust my focus and priorities. Please accept this letter as my formal resignation, effective today."
According to ABC News, Roberts, an independent, became the first woman to hold the office of mayor of DeRidder in 2018. She was serving her second term after winning reelection in 2022. USA Today reported that Roberts was a graduate of DeRidder High School in 2000. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communication from McNeese State University in 2004. Before becoming mayor, she was the city's director of community service for nine years.
As reported by the Independent, the age of consent in the state of Louisiana is 16. A third-degree rape conviction carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
The Beauregard Parish Sheriff's jail roster shows that Roberts, who is 42-years-old, was arrested at 10:13 a.m. and was released at 11:30 a.m. after posting her $75,000 bond. Roberts reportedly abruptly resigned as the town's mayor on July 27th and was arrested on August 1st.
Sgt. Ross Brennan, a state police spokesman, said that the alleged underage victim and another minor confirmed to the agency's Special Victims Unit that Roberts had sex with the underage boy. The arrest followed a tumultuous week in DeRidder. After initially saying she was going to be away from the office for two weeks, Roberts then appointed a mayor pro tem on July 26th, and then resigned the very next day.
Louisiana State Police said investigators conducted interviews with two juveniles, one of which was the alleged victim. Both of them told detectives that Roberts had sexual intercourse with the victim while she was the mayor.
According to KPLCTV, Roberts' attorney, Adam Johnson, released a statement that read, "It is my honor to represent Misty Roberts. My client learned late last night of a warrant, despite not being contacted to be interviewed prior to investigators obtained the warrant. My client maintains her innocence and, as it stands, she is in fact innocent.
She has not been charged with a crime and/or convicted of any crime and we trust the public will respect her constitutional presumption of innocence which is fundamental to our system of justice. Misty and her family are very grateful for the support they have received from their friends and neighbors and we look forward to putting this unfortunate situation behind them."
In her resignation letter, Roberts wrote, "For nearly 15 years, my love and passion for DeRidder has been my foundation while serving as Mayor. I will forever be proud of what we have been able to accomplish together. This role has rewarded me with many great relationships. I am humbled to have witnessed the hard work that took a community to come together and overcome through unprecedented times. However, I must adjust my focus and priorities. Please accept this letter as my formal resignation, effective today."
According to ABC News, Roberts, an independent, became the first woman to hold the office of mayor of DeRidder in 2018. She was serving her second term after winning reelection in 2022. USA Today reported that Roberts was a graduate of DeRidder High School in 2000. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communication from McNeese State University in 2004. Before becoming mayor, she was the city's director of community service for nine years.
As reported by the Independent, the age of consent in the state of Louisiana is 16. A third-degree rape conviction carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
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