Key Information

Suspect: Misty Roberts, 43 years old (at the time of conviction), former Mayor of DeRidder, Louisiana (she was the city’s first female mayor, elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022).

Victim: A 16-year-old boy (a close friend of Roberts’ son, whose name is not released as he is a minor).

Time & Location: July 2024, at an alcohol-infused pool party held at Roberts’ home in DeRidder (population ~10,000).

Events

Roberts hosted a pool party to celebrate her son’s birthday (alcohol was served to the group of teenagers). While heavily intoxicated:

She seduced the victim by the pool, kissed him, and took him to a bedroom for Sєxual intercourse.

Roberts’ son (then 16 years old) witnessed his mother having Sєx with his friend. Roberts’ daughter and grandson also witnessed part of it.

Roberts then instructed her children and grandson to lie (“Lie ‘til you die”), and sent a text message to her ex-husband: “I ҒUCҜed up. And I respect you enough to tell you” and “I need you to deny it, please.”

She then ordered Plan B emergency contraception delivered to her home via DoorDash (the delivery person testified in court).

Arrest & Resignation

Roberts resigned as mayor just days before her arrest (August 2024) – her resignation letter did not mention the investigation.

She was charged with carnal knowledge of a juvenile (Sєxual relations with a minor – equivalent to statutory rape) and indecent behavior with a juvenile (indecent acts with a minor) – both felony charges.

The trial (which lasted 7 days at Beauregard Parish)

Key evidence:

The victim’s direct testimony (the boy claimed he was drunk and did not consent).
The testimony of Roberts’ son, daughter, and grandson (who witnessed the “lewd act”).
The testimony of Roberts’ ex-husband (Roberts confessed to him).
The “lewd and lascivious” pH๏τograph that the prosecutor called “worth a thousand words” – showing Roberts and the victim having Sєx.

Text messages, testimony from DoorDash employees, and the victim’s mother’s testimony (her son was “disgusted” after the incident).

March 3, 2026: The jury deliberated for less than an hour before finding Roberts guilty on both charges.

Sentence & Current Status (Updated March 20, 2026)

Maximum sentence: 10 years (carnal knowledge) + 7 years (indecent behavior) = a maximum of 17 years.

She must register as a Sєx Offender (Tier 1) for life.

Sentencing date: April 17, 2026 at 9:00 AM at Beauregard Parish Court.

Roberts is currently free (released on $100,000 bail).

Reactions

Prosecutor Charles Robinson: “A lewd and lascivious pH๏τo is worth a thousand words.”

Defense attorney Adam Johnson: Disappointed with the verdict but respectful of the jury, emphasizing that “behind every headline is a person and family suffering.”

The case caused a major shock in Louisiana because Roberts was the incumbent mayor when it occurred. Her brother was also sentenced to 42 years in prison for the separate crime of raping a minor.