Former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts has been sentenced to 90 days in jail after being convicted of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile. The felony convictions stem from sex acts involving a 16-year-old boy while she was in office, and the case has now moved into sentencing and supervision terms.
Under the sentence announced in court, Roberts must also pay a $5,000 fine and undergo regular drug screenings, along with psychotropic and psychological therapy after her release. She also received two five-year suspended sentences that will run concurrently unless she violates parole conditions.
What the court imposed
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Jail time | 90 days |
| Fine | $5,000 |
| Supervision | Regular drug screenings |
| Treatment | Psychotropic and psychological therapy |
| Suspended sentences | Two five-year terms, concurrent unless parole is broken |
The Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office website briefly showed Roberts as released, but Sheriff Mark Herford said she is being transferred because the facility cannot house women for extended periods. She has also been required to register as a sex offender.
Judge hears remorse and anger from both sides
Roberts addressed Judge Kent Savoie directly and said she blamed herself for what happened. “I blame myself then, I blame myself today, and I will blame myself for the rest of my life,” she said.
She also told the court, “What an embarrassment I’ve been to this city,” and said she had “made a mess of all of this.” Roberts later said she feared losing her children and asked for “grace and mercy” as a mother trying to keep her family together.
Beauregard Parish District Attorney James Lestage said the sentence did not reflect the seriousness of the crimes. He told the court, “We’ve done our part. We’ve done what we could to present the evidence to protect and represent the victims.”
The victim’s family describes the lasting damage
Impact statements from the victim’s family and friends focused on the years of fallout that followed the case. Holly Jones, speaking for her husband and son, said their child was drawn into “years of court hearings, media, and delays” instead of having a normal high school experience.
The victim’s mother gave a lengthy statement about the emotional toll on her family, saying the night of the incident should have been a birthday celebration and that the case left deep wounds. She also told Roberts, “Stay the hell away from my family.”
Prosecutors argued for the maximum 17-year sentence, saying Roberts was an elected public official who had sex with a child at a children’s birthday party. Assistant District Attorney Charles Robinson also questioned the sincerity of her remorse and criticized the defense’s expert witness for not reviewing a key photo before writing her report.
Defense pushes back on the punishment
Roberts’ attorneys, Adam Johnson and Todd S. Clemons, said the sentence was grounded in the record and in Louisiana law. They said Roberts intended to begin serving it without delay and that she remained apologetic for her actions.
Johnson argued that the court should not be driven by public reaction, saying, “We are not guided by what angry people on Facebook or news stories will think about it.” He also told the judge that the case was close in time to the age threshold that would have made it noncriminal, a point he repeated during his argument for a suspended sentence.
Defense expert Dr. Sasha Lambert testified that Roberts had less than a 3% chance of reoffending and said she was dealing with a mental health crisis and alcohol problems on the night in question. Lambert also said Roberts did not fully accept what she had been convicted of.
Roberts is eligible for an appeal bond set at $75,000 per charge, or $150,000 total, but her attorneys said she will not pursue it. After serving the jail term, she must remain compliant with the court’s conditions, including treatment, testing, and sex offender registration.