Misty Roberts, the former mayor of DeRidder, Louisiana, has been released from prison just three months after being convicted of raping a teenage boy, according to the New York Post.
The 40-year-old was the first female mayor in the history of the city. DeRidder is a small municipality that serves as the parish seat of Beauregard Parish in the western part of the state, near the border with Texas. The role of mayor is the highest elected office in the local government, responsible for overseeing city operations.
Roberts was arrested on August 1, 2024, and charged with the statutory rape of a 16-year-old boy. The victim was a friend of her own son. The assault took place at the home of Roberts during a party. Her son and daughter witnessed the events by looking through a window.
In the United States, the legal age of consent is determined by individual states. Under Louisiana law, the age of consent is 17. The state treats any sexual contact between an adult and a 16-year-old as a serious criminal offense, regardless of the circumstances or whether the minor agreed to the encounter.
Roberts pleaded guilty to the charges in order to avoid a more severe penalty. During a court hearing on June 9, she expressed remorse. She told the court that holding a position of political power had gone to her head.
Prosecutors had asked the judge to impose a 17-year prison sentence for the crimes. Instead, the court ordered her to serve three months behind bars. The brief sentence sparked widespread anger among local residents and the family of the teenager.
Community reaction
DeRidder resident Cari McGee said the former mayor received a light punishment. McGee said Roberts is a child molester who was merely given a slap on the wrist.
The mother of the victim described Roberts as a predator. She said the former politician has permanently ruined her son's life.
Following her release from prison, Roberts declined to make any statements about her sentence. Her legal team expressed their gratitude to the judge who handled the case.
Sex offender registry
As part of her conviction, Roberts is required to remain on the sex offender registry for 15 years. Sex offender registries in the United States are public databases designed to protect communities. Local law enforcement agencies use them to track the addresses and employment details of individuals convicted of sex crimes, and the records are made accessible to residents.
The lenient sentence in Louisiana contrasts with other recent court decisions involving authority figures in the United States. A teacher in Washington state was recently sentenced to 15 years in prison for the statutory rape of a student and for producing child pornography. The teacher had filmed the assaults over an 18-month period.
