In June 2026, former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts was sentenced to 90 days in jail after a Louisiana jury already convicted her on two felony counts connected to the sexual assault of a 16-year-old boy.
In March 2026, the 44-year-old was found guilty of having carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile, charges that together carried a maximum sentence of 17 years in prison.
The case began in July 2024, when Roberts, who was still serving as mayor, hosted a pool party at her home for her teenage son. During the gathering, Roberts reportedly flirted with the teenager by the pool, kissed him, and later led him upstairs where he said they had sex.
The victim, who was Roberts sons bestie, also told law enforcement officials that he had been drinking heavily that night and vomited.
Roberts resigned as mayor just days before her arrest later that year, and months afterward, a grand jury indicted her on the two felony charges that led to the March trial.
During the trial, prosecutors brought up a DoorDash driver who confirmed he delivered the emergency contraceptive Plan B to Roberts' home shortly after the party.
Jurors also heard that a close friend of Roberts instructed teenagers who witnessed what happened to "lie till you die."
Roberts' two children and her nephew took the stand and told the court they had seen her with the victim, though none of them witnessed the assault.
The victim also testified that he heard Roberts arguing with her son, shouting at him "to go fight" his friend because he was the one who did it, according to KPLC, as per The Guardian.
After the jury returned guilty verdicts on both counts, Roberts’ attorneys filed a motion for a new trial less than two weeks before the sentencing date, arguing that there were inconsistencies in the teenager’s testimony, but Judge Kent Savoie denied the request.
At the June 9 sentencing hearing, the victim’s mother addressed the court directly. She described Roberts as a “predator with hair extensions, high heels, Botox, and other modifications.”
She explained how the aftermath had followed her son through every social gathering and forced him to ask questions no teenager should have to face. She also told the court that half of his high school experience had been taken from him.
Before the sentence was handed down, Roberts stood and spoke. She told the court she blamed herself then, blames herself now, and would blame herself for the rest of her life.
She said she let a lot of people down and was the only person responsible, and she apologized to the victim’s family.
Prosecutors urged Judge Savoie to impose the maximum 17-year sentence and argued Roberts deserved no leniency.
However, the judge noted that she had no known prior criminal history before handing down the 90-day jail term along with two five-year suspended sentences that will run concurrently, as reported by multiple outlets. Once released, Roberts must register as a sex offender, pay a $5,000 fine, and submit to regular drug screenings and psychological therapy.
The conviction arrived months after her brother, Brandon Lee Roberts, was sentenced to prison in a separate child sex abuse case, as seen on PEOPLE.
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