Misty Roberts, the former mayor of DeRidder, Louisiana, was sentenced to 90 days in jail Tuesday after being convicted of raping a 16-year-old boy in 2024, according to court records and local news reports.
Roberts, 44, was convicted earlier this year on two felony counts: carnal knowledge of a juvenile — Louisiana’s statutory rape statute — and indecent behavior with a juvenile. She faced a maximum sentence of 17 years in prison.
The assault took place in July 2024 at Roberts’ home during a pool party where the victim was drinking alcohol, according to KPLC, which reported on the proceedings. Roberts had served as mayor of DeRidder, a city in western Louisiana, since 2018.
In addition to the 90-day jail term, the court ordered Roberts to register as a sex offender, pay $5,000 in fines, and submit to regular drug screenings and psychotropic and psychological therapy following her release, KPLC reported. The outlet also said Roberts received two five-year suspended sentences, to be served concurrently unless she violates parole.
Addressing the court Tuesday, Roberts accepted responsibility for her actions.
“I blame myself then, I blame myself today, and I will blame myself for the rest of my life,” Roberts said, according to KPLC. “I let a lot of people down, and I am the only person responsible for that.”
She also apologized directly to the victim’s family.
“To the [victim’s] family, I am sorry,” Roberts said. “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.”
The victim’s mother delivered an impact statement in court, describing the lasting harm to her son.
“This predator was not hiding in a van carrying candy or a puppy,” the mother said. “This danger came from a predator with hair extensions, high heels, Botox, and other modifications.”
She told the court she would find her son sitting alone in his room and would hear him crying at night.
“Every social event carried questions no teenager should have to ask,” the mother said. “Half of his high school experience was taken from him.”
She concluded her statement with a direct address to Roberts: “Stay the hell away from my family.”