Just a week ago, she resigned from her mayoral duties in DeRidder, Louisiana mayor and now gets arrested for third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. The arrest follows her unexpected resignation from office just a week prior. On Thursday, Roberts was apprehended by the Louisiana State Police at 42 years old before being released later on after posting a bond of $75,000 at Beauregard Parish jail.
The charges stem from allegations that Roberts had sexual relations with a minor while serving as mayor. According to Sgt. Ross Brennan, a state police spokesman, the alleged juvenile victim and another juvenile reported the incident to the state police’s Special Victims Unit. The sergeant did not mention any of these details about age, gender or hometowns pertaining to those who were allegedly violated.
She said she would take an unplanned two-week vacation and designate Fire Chief Ken Harlow as acting mayor during her absence in another letter directed to Council Clerk Glenna Luther last month (Roberts 1).
Adam Johnson, Roberts’ attorney, stated to KPLC-TV that his client maintains her innocence.
“She has not been charged with a crime and/or convicted of any crime,” Johnson said. “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 their friends ’and neighbors’ gestures of support they have received during this trying time (Roberts 2).
In 2018 Roberts made history when she became the first female mayor of DeRidder in its existence. This happened when she was elected for a second term in 2022.
