OAN Staff Blake Wolf
9:50 AM – Friday, August 2, 2024
Misty Roberts, who was the mayor of DeRidder, Louisiana, up until last week when she resigned, has been arrested and charged for third-degree rape, as well as contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.
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The Thursday arrest follows Roberts’s resignation from her position just days before the news broke out.
“On July 26, 2024, the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office requested the Louisiana State Police Special Victim’s Unit (LSP SVU) to investigate a complaint against the former Mayor of DeRidder for allegations of sexual relations with a juvenile. The investigation resulted in the arrest of 42-year-old Misty Roberts,” the Louisiana State Police wrote in a statement.
The LSPD had investigated claims that were based on a complaint which accused Roberts, 42, of illicit acts, eventually leading to her arrest.
“As the investigation progressed, LSP SVU conducted interviews with two juveniles, one of which was the victim. Both juveniles confirmed Roberts had sexual intercourse with one juvenile victim while employed as Mayor. Investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Roberts from the Beauregard Parish 36th Judicial District Court.”
After the LSPD obtained a warrant for Roberts’s arrest, she turned herself in shortly thereafter.
The former mayor was in jail for a little over an hour before being released on $75,000 bond.
Meanwhile, Roberts’s attorney maintains that his client is innocent. He criticized local law enforcement for not personally conversing with Roberts prior to the arrest.
“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 obtaining the warrant,” said Roberts’s attorney, Adam Johnson.
“We trust the public will respect her constitutional presumption of innocence which is fundamental to our system of justice,” he continued.
Roberts ran for office as an Independent, going on to become the first female mayor of DeRidder in 2018. Before resigning, she was serving her second term as she won reelection in 2022.
The former mayor had also reportedly planned on running for reelection in 2026, however, her alleged conduct behind closed doors most likely squandered those chances.
“For nearly 15 years, my love and passion for DeRidder has been my foundation while serving as Mayor,” Roberts wrote in a resignation announcement. “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.”
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