Former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts Convicted in Juvenile Sex Crimes Case: Jury Reaches Verdict in Under an Hour
By Crime Desk DeRidder, Louisiana, March 4, 2026 — A Beauregard Parish jury convicted former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts, 43, on Tuesday after deliberating for less than an hour. Roberts was found guilty of two felonies: carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile. The charges stem from an alleged sexual encounter with a 16-year-old boy at a party in her home in July 2024, while she was still serving as mayor.
The week-long trial in the 36th Judicial District Court featured graphic testimony from teenage witnesses, including Roberts’ own son and daughter, who were present at the gathering. Prosecutors alleged the event involved heavy alcohol consumption among minors, with Roberts providing drinks. The victim testified he was intoxicated during the incident, describing flirtatious behavior by the pool before the pair went upstairs.
Multiple teens claimed to have witnessed or interrupted the act in a bonus room. Roberts’ son reportedly told investigators he walked in and saw his mother having sex with his best friend. Additional evidence included a photo prosecutors described as “lewd,” showing Roberts in a bikini with the teen, and text messages where she discussed birth control with the victim’s mother. A DoorDash driver testified delivering emergency contraception (Plan B) to the home shortly after the alleged assault.
kplctv.com
Misty Roberts found guilty of having sex with teen while serving as DeRidder mayor
Former Mayor Misty Roberts exits the Beauregard Parish Courthouse on March 3, 2026, after her guilty verdict. She walked free on bond pending sentencing. (Photo: KPLC TV / Gray News)
Roberts resigned as mayor days before her initial arrest in late July 2024. The case faced delays, including a mistrial earlier this year over indictment issues. She pleaded not guilty, with defense attorneys arguing the accusations relied on inconsistent teen statements and poor evidence handling. Prosecutors countered with corroborating accounts, digital records, and testimony from the victim’s mother, who said her son was left “disgusted.”
Carnal knowledge of a juvenile carries a maximum of 10 years in prison, while indecent behavior with a juvenile is punishable by up to seven years. Roberts must register as a sex offender for life. Sentencing is set for April 17, 2026, before Judge Kent Savoie. Despite the conviction, she was allowed to leave the courthouse on existing bond, walking out the front doors as a “guilty woman but a free woman” until then.
kplctv.com
Roberts trial: Ex-husband testifies she confessed to having sex with minor
Misty Roberts’ booking photo from the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office, taken after her arrest in the high-profile case. (Photo: Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office / KPLC)
The verdict shocked the small town of DeRidder (population ~10,000), where Roberts had been a prominent figure during her two terms. Community reactions ranged from outrage over the abuse of power to calls for accountability in elected office. Prosecutors emphasized the betrayal: a mayor hosting a teen party, supplying alcohol, and allegedly exploiting a minor in her care.
Witnesses described poolside flirting escalating after dark, with one teen testifying to seeing the pair “on top of each other.” Roberts’ ex-husband testified she confessed the act to him, fearing repercussions. The trial included emotional cross-examinations and jury viewing of party photos, including children with drinks.
This case highlights Louisiana’s firm stance on juvenile protections—consent is irrelevant for those under 17 in such situations. It also raises questions about trust in public officials and youth safety in private settings.
en.wikipedia.org
Beauregard Parish Courthouse – Wikipedia
The historic Beauregard Parish Courthouse in DeRidder, where the jury delivered its quick guilty verdict after a week of explosive testimony. (Photo: Wikipedia / Public domain)
For the victim and family, the conviction provides some measure of justice amid ongoing trauma. Local resources for survivors remain available. Roberts’ dramatic fall—from elected leader to convicted felon—serves as a stark warning that positions of authority offer no shield from the law.
As DeRidder processes the outcome, the focus shifts to sentencing and the lasting impact on the community. The swift jury decision underscores the strength of the prosecution’s evidence in this disturbing case.
theadvocate.com
Former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts found guilty in sex case | Lake Charles News | theadvocate.com
Misty Roberts captured in a community photo during her time as mayor, smiling amid supporters—a stark contrast to her current legal reality. (Photo: The Advocate / NOLA.com)
