Misty Roberts, the former mayor of DeRidder, Louisiana, has been sentenced to 90 days in jail after being convicted of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile, both felony offenses. The sentence was handed down in Beauregard Parish court after Roberts, 44, was found guilty on March 3 for having sex with a 16-year-old boy while serving as mayor. Under Louisiana law, the charges carried a possible sentence of up to 17 years, but no mandatory minimum term.
In addition to jail time, Judge Kent Savoie ordered Roberts to pay a $5,000 fine, undergo regular drug screenings, and receive psychotropic and psychological therapy after her release. She also received two five-year suspended sentences that will run concurrently unless she violates parole conditions. Roberts must also remain registered as a sex offender.
According to the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office website, Roberts initially appeared to have been released, but Sheriff Mark Herford said she was being transferred because the facility cannot house women for extended periods. Her attorneys said she intends to begin serving her sentence without delay and does not plan to seek an appeal bond, which had been set at $75,000 per charge, or $150,000 total.
The sentencing hearing included emotional statements from the victim’s family and strong arguments from both prosecutors and defense attorneys. Beauregard Parish District Attorney James Lestage said the state had asked for the maximum sentence and believed the punishment did not reflect the seriousness of the crimes. Assistant District Attorney Charles Robinson described Roberts as an elected official who had sex with a child at a birthday party and argued that her remorse was not sincere, citing evidence presented at trial.
Roberts addressed the court directly and expressed remorse, saying she blamed herself for what happened and describing the incident as the lowest point in her life. She apologized to the victim’s family and said her actions were an embarrassment to her city and her children. She also said fear of losing her children led her to ask others to lie about the incident.
The victim’s mother gave a powerful impact statement, describing the long-term toll the case has taken on her family and her son’s high school years. Holly Jones, speaking for her husband and son, said their family was pulled into years of hearings, media coverage, and delays. She asked the court to consider the harm caused not only to the victim but also to the children and relatives drawn into the case.
Defense attorney Adam Johnson argued that Roberts had taken responsibility and should not be judged by public outrage. He said the court should focus on the evidence and the law rather than social media pressure. The defense also presented expert testimony claiming Roberts had a low chance of reoffending and was dealing with a mental health crisis and alcohol issues at the time of the incident.
Roberts remains a registered sex offender and is subject to probation conditions after her jail term. Her attorneys said she plans to serve the sentence and move forward without delay.
