Disgraced Louisiana Mayor Sentenced
DERIDER, Louisiana — Misty Roberts, the former mayor of DeRidder, has been sentenced to 90 days in jail after being found guilty of engaging in sexual acts with a friend’s son during a party in 2024.
At the sentencing, the victim’s mother spoke to Misty, emphasizing that danger isn’t always what it seems. “It doesn’t always look like a man with candy or a stranger warning kids to be careful,” she remarked.
Roberts, 43, had previously been convicted of sexual knowledge of a juvenile and indecent acts. The mother of the victim expressed her pain, noting that Roberts had undergone cosmetic enhancements, implying that such changes were a form of superficiality masking deeper issues.
During the proceedings, Roberts stated she intended to serve her sentence without seeking bail, possibly to avoid the consequences of a longer prison term.
Prosecutors had requested a maximum sentence of 17 years, given Roberts’ conviction for sexual relations with a 16-year-old boy during a party in July 2024.
Judge D. Kent Savoie expressed skepticism regarding Roberts’ statements during the hearing, stating that he found them unconvincing. He underscored the emotional impact on the victim’s family.
Besides the jail time, the judge imposed two five-year suspended sentences and mandated that Roberts undergo treatment and submit to regular testing for drugs and alcohol.
The incident occurred during a birthday celebration for Roberts’ son, where she allegedly formed a connection with a teenage friend of her son, ultimately leading to the illicit encounter.
The boy’s mother reflected on how drastically her son’s life had changed since that night. She harshly criticized Roberts for her behavior, suggesting that a 42-year-old should have been fully aware of the implications of her actions and labeling any attempt to shift blame onto the teenager as misguided and hurtful.
“You were wearing a bikini, thinking of yourself,” she said, clearly frustrated that Roberts seemed to overlook the seriousness of her actions. “Your initial betrayal was one thing, but to deflect accountability was another level.”
