First female mayor of Louisiana town resigns over sexual assault of a juvenile

The first female mayor of a Louisiana town has resigned just days before being indicted on charges of having a sexual relationship with a minor.

Misty Roberts Clanton (42), the mayor of DeRidder, Louisiana, resigned as mayor about a week before the accusations were made by the juvenile victim.

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On August 1, Clanton turned himself in to investigators with the Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit at the Beauregard Parish Detention Center.

The former mayor has been charged with third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to Louisiana State Police. The age of the minor victim in question has not been released.

According to an interview with a local newspaper in May 2024, Clanton plans to run for mayor of DeRidder again in 2026. Clanton is also the mother of two, including a 14-year-old son.

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“On July 26, 2024, the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office requested the Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit (LSP SVU) to investigate allegations made against the former Mayor of DeRidder for an alleged sexual relationship with a minor,” Louisiana State Police said in a statement.

Louisiana State Police have arrested former Mayor Misty Roberts Clanton, 42, on charges related to the sexual assault of a minor. (Louisiana State Police via Facebook)

“As a result of the investigation, 42-year-old Misty Roberts was arrested.”

“As the investigation progressed, the Metropolitan Police Special Prosecutor’s Office interviewed two juveniles, one of whom was the victim. Both juveniles acknowledged that Roberts had sexual contact with one of the juvenile victims while he was Mayor,” the statement continued.

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Clanton was released on $75,000 bail, but the case remains under investigation.