Former Louisiana Mayor Misty Roberts Released After 90-Day Sentence for Raping Teen at Pool Party

POLICY WIRE — DeRidder, Louisiana — Former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts has been released from custody after completing a 90-day prison sentence for the statutory rape of a 16-year-old boy during a pool party at her home in July 2024.

Roberts, 44, concluded her jail term on Monday, following a controversial sentencing decision that drew public outcry and prompted prosecutors to seek a harsher penalty.

Judge Kent Savoie, who presided over the case, acknowledged during an August 31 hearing that he mistakenly based his sentencing decision on more than 30 prior cases resolved through plea agreements—despite Roberts being convicted by a jury trial, not a plea deal.

“I asked someone to get me a list of cases similar,” Savoie stated in court. “I made an assumption, and that assumption was wrong. I was wrong in that respect.”

Without the lenient sentence, Roberts could have faced up to 17 years behind bars for the crime.

The assault occurred while Roberts was serving as mayor; she resigned just days before her arrest.

The victim, a local high school student and friend of Roberts’ son, was sexually assaulted during the gathering at her residence.

Community reaction to the sentence has been sharply critical, with residents condemning the punishment as insufficient.

“When it comes to children, we should use the fullest extent of the law. There are no excuses when it comes to our children,” said DeRidder resident Karin McGee.

Ryan Clark, another local resident, described the 90-day sentence as “an insult.”

In addition to incarceration, Roberts must pay a $5,000 fine, submit to regular drug testing, register as a sex offender, and undergo both psychotropic and psychological therapy.

If she violates any conditions of her release, she will be required to serve two suspended five-year sentences simultaneously.

At her June 9 sentencing, Roberts accepted full responsibility, stating, I blame myself then, I blame myself today and I will blame myself for the rest of my life. I let a lot of people down, and I am the only person responsible for that.

She added, I hit the absolute floor the day of the crime and called herself an embarrassment to the city.

“What an embarrassment I’ve been to this city,” she said. “I’ve made a mess of all of this, but it certainly was not my intent.”

During victim impact statements, the boy’s mother referred to Roberts as “a predator with hair extensions, high heels [and] Botox” and ordered her to stay away from her family.

Beauregard Parish District Attorney James Lestage expressed disappointment in the sentence, stating that while prosecutors presented strong evidence and argued for maximum penalties, the outcome did not reflect the gravity of the offense.

I don’t think the sentence that was imposed reflects the severity of the crimes, Lestage said. “It doesn’t, in my opinion, represent the values of Beauregard Parish.”

Roberts’ defense attorneys, Adam Johnson and Todd S Clemons, affirmed she would comply with all post-release requirements.

They noted her remorseful courtroom address had likely influenced the sentencing outcome.

Roberts also apologized directly to the victim’s family, acknowledging she could not undo the harm caused.

“I can’t give back the high school days … I can’t take away the embarrassment that so many mean people on the internet have put them through,” she said.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)