Photo: Louisiana State Police
Misty Roberts, the recently resigned former mayor of DeRidder, Louisiana, is accused of raping a minor during her time in office.
Roberts, 42, was charged with third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles, the Louisiana State Police Department announced in a press release shared on its website Thursday (August 1). The former mayor was in her second term when an investigation into her alleged actions was opened on July 26 after the Beauregard Parish Sheriff's Office requested that state troopers look into a complaint against her.
“As the investigation progressed, LSP SVU conducted interviews with two juveniles, one of which was the victim. Both juveniles confirmed Roberts had sexual intercourse with one juvenile victim while employed as Mayor,” the statement from Louisiana State Police reads.
Roberts surrendered to police after an arrest warrant was issued on Wednesday (July 31). The former mayor was booked into Beauregard Parish Sheriff's Office Jail at 10:13 a.m. and released on a $75,000 bond 77 minutes later, according to jail records obtained by the New York Post.
Roberts' arrest came two weeks after she initially announced her decision to step away from her office on July 26, the same day state troopers launched their investigation. The former mayor submitted a letter of resignation to the DeRidder City Council on July 27.