Former Mayor Sentenced in Child Sex Crime Case

A former mayor from Louisiana, referred to as a “predator” who wore “Botox and high heels,” recently faced sentencing after being found guilty of child sex crimes involving a teenage boy at a pool party fueled by alcohol.

Misty Roberts, 44, was convicted in March for having sexual knowledge of a juvenile and committing indecent acts with a juvenile.

Roberts received a 90-day prison sentence for engaging in a sexual relationship with the underage boy in 2024 while she served as the mayor of DeRider. In addition to her prison time, she was handed two concurrent five-year suspended sentences, which she can avoid if she fulfills the conditions of her probation.

To compound her punishment, the judge mandated that Roberts register as a sex offender and pay a $5,000 fine. Prosecutors had sought a maximum prison term of 17 years for the offenses. District Attorney James Lestige expressed concerns that the sentence did not adequately reflect the severity of Roberts’ actions.

Roberts’ attorney, Todd Clemons, acknowledged the judge’s thoughtful consideration in sentencing, suggesting that, given the state’s push for 17 years, 90 days could have been much worse.

Roberts might be released within 90 days if she demonstrates good behavior. Her legal team pointed out that under Louisiana law, she could ultimately serve a shorter time if she follows the court’s directions.

Roberts’ co-counsel argued that she was already facing a “life sentence” due to her requirement to register as a sex offender. Previously, her legal team had requested a new trial, citing “inconsistencies” in the victim’s testimony, but the judge denied that request.

In court, a victim’s mother provided a poignant statement, suggesting that predators like Roberts can present a more dangerous facade, commenting, “This predator wasn’t hiding in a van full of candy and puppies.” Roberts’ own mother drew attention to her physical alterations, raising concerns about outward appearances masking dangerous intentions.

When addressing the court, Roberts offered an apology, expressing regret for her actions and the subsequent embarrassment they caused, not just to herself but to others as well. She insisted she only wanted to be a mother and seek grace and mercy going forward.

Roberts later conveyed her sorrow to the victim’s family, acknowledging the lasting impact of her actions. A clinical psychologist who assessed Roberts stated that she was “not mentally healthy” during the period of the incident, attributing her state to various personal crises she was navigating at the time.

Prosecutors reiterated the severity of the situation, highlighting that an elected official was involved in such crimes at a child’s birthday party and that Roberts, despite her intelligence and capability, displayed a troubling lack of responsibility and remorse.

At the time of these events, Roberts was serving her second term as mayor and was preparing for re-election in 2022 when the scandal broke out. Accusations emerged regarding her inappropriate behavior during the pool party, where witnesses indicated she had engaged in sexual acts with a minor. Testimonies from her daughter and ex-husband corroborated the victim’s account, shedding light on the disturbing nature of the incident.