In DeRidder, Louisiana, Misty Clanton Roberts, who recently resigned as mayor, was arrested by the Louisiana State Police. Roberts, aged 42, faces charges of third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. She was released from jail in Beauregard Parish after posting a $75,000 bond. The exact schedule for her arraignment is currently unknown.
According to Sgt. Ross Brennan, a state police spokesman, the allegations involve Roberts having sexual relations with a minor during her time as mayor of DeRidder. Details about the age, gender, or hometown of the alleged victim were not disclosed.
Roberts’ sudden resignation occurred less than a week before her arrest. She had informed the city council of her decision in a letter. Following her resignation, Fire Chief Ken Harlow was appointed as the acting mayor during her absence. Roberts’ attorney, Adam Johnson, asserted her innocence in a statement to KPLC-TV, emphasizing her right to the presumption of innocence as a core component of the justice system.
An independent, Misty Clanton Roberts made history as the first female mayor of DeRidder in 2018, successfully securing a second term in 2022. Her family appreciates the support received from their community and anticipates moving forward from this difficult situation.
