DERIDDER, LA – Former DeRidder, Louisiana mayor, Misty Roberts, 42, is facing serious charges, including third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of minors. The Louisiana State Police made this announcement last Thursday. Roberts was in her second term as mayor when she suddenly took a leave of absence and resigned a week later.
The investigation into Roberts was initiated on July 26, after the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office requested the state police to investigate a complaint against her. The Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit (LSP SVU) interviewed two minors during the investigation. One of the minors confirmed that Roberts had sexual relations with them while she was in office.
Roberts was arrested following the issuance of a warrant on Wednesday. She voluntarily surrendered to 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, insists on his client’s innocence. He criticized the police for not interviewing Roberts before her arrest. Johnson stated that Roberts only found out about the warrant late the night before her arrest. He appealed to the public to respect Roberts’ constitutional right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, a fundamental principle of the justice system. Johnson also thanked friends and neighbors for their support of Roberts and her family.
On July 26, the same day the investigation began, Roberts announced 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 place. However, Roberts submitted her resignation to the city council the next day.
In her resignation letter, Roberts expressed her deep affection for DeRidder, a city of nearly 10,000 people located on the west side of the state, about 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. After 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.